Of all the concerns you may have about your new pregnancy, how it might affect your oral health likely isn’t one of them. However, you might be surprised to learn that pregnancy and gum disease concerns are a relatively common combination. Staying on top of your oral hygiene during this period is crucial.
Try not to feel too overwhelmed by this added concern during your pregnancy, though — if you make yourself aware of how gum disease starts, learn how to prevent it, and what to do if you do end up with gum disease, you can take steps to bring your gums back to a healthy status.
What Is Gum Disease?
Gum disease, otherwise known as periodontal disease or periodontitis, is an infection of the gum tissue caused by a buildup of bacteria-filled plaque and tartar in the mouth. The condition begins as gingivitis, characterized by swelling and redness of the gums. If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to gum disease and, ultimately, advanced gum disease.
Advanced gum disease can result in loose teeth, tooth loss, dental abscesses, and more. It’s also associated with many serious medical conditions, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, preeclampsia and premature birth.
The Connection Between Pregnancy and Gum Disease
A shocking number of people in the United States have some form of gum disease. The CDC estimates that over 47% of all adults 30 years or older suffer from periodontitis.1 What’s impressive is that that number is even higher in pregnant women. Researchers estimate that 60% to 75% of expecting mothers have gingivitis.2
It’s believed that all the hormonal changes associated with pregnancy may be the reason for this significant uptick in gingivitis rates in pregnant women. What’s worse, there appears to be an association between gum disease and things like preterm birth, low birth weight, and other poor outcomes in pregnancy.
It’s not fully understood why this connection exists, but regardless, it’s essential to remain aware of it and to take great care of your oral health during pregnancy, as well as before and after. If you discover pregnancy gingivitis or gum disease, remember that it can be treated.
Signs of Gum Disease
The best way to effectively treat gingivitis or gum disease is to spot it as early as possible. To do that, keep an eye out for the following symptoms:
- Swelling of the gums
- Gums that bleed easily
- Redness and tenderness in the gums
- Teeth that appear longer (gum recession)
- Bad breath (halitosis)
- Persistent bad taste in the mouth
- Increased tooth sensitivity
- Pain when chewing
- Change in bite
- Loose teeth
- Teeth loss
- Dental abscesses
It’s important to know that while gingivitis can be cured once it progresses it may not be reversable and will need to be treated with more advanced methods. It can only be treated once it’s progressed to gum disease. Treatment can be highly effective provided you seek the proper care, so don’t hesitate to reach out to your dentist if you notice one or more of the above symptoms.
Preventing Gum Disease During Pregnancy
Preventing gum disease is relatively simple: you should be brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day and visiting your dentist at least every six months for a routine examination and dental cleaning. Doing so will keep plaque and tartar from building up in your mouth and causing infection.
There may be some unique circumstances that accompany pregnancy that can make your oral care a little more complicated. For instance, you may begin eating things that aren’t good for your oral health, like sugary snacks and acidic foods, or you may feel nauseous when brushing and flossing. Make sure to mention this to your dentist at your dental appointments and your OB/GYN during your prenatal appointments.
Maintaining a balanced diet while pregnant is essential, but what’s more important is ensuring you keep up with your oral care routine. Talk to your dentist about how to make your oral care routine comfortable for you during your pregnancy. If the nausea is too intense, consider switching to a smaller toothbrush or rinsing your mouth with baking soda and water to remove debris and bacteria.
Treating Gum Disease
If you find that you have gum disease while you’re pregnant, multiple gum disease treatments can work to mitigate symptoms and combat the infection. Your dentist will offer you one or more of the following solutions.
Scaling and Root Planing
The most common treatment for gum disease is scaling and root planing.
Scaling involves using specialized tools to reach beneath the gum tissue and remove plaque and tartar. Root planing, meanwhile, consists of smoothing out the root surfaces to allow the gums to reattach to the teeth and prevent further plaque and tartar buildup.
Antibiotics
Your dentist may also apply a topical antibiotic during treatment or prescribe a topical or oral antibiotic at home that is safe during pregnancy to combat the bacteria causing the gum infection.
Surgical Procedures
A few different surgical procedures can be used to treat gum disease.
There’s flap surgery, which requires the dental professional to open the gum tissue for more extensive scaling and root planing; tissue grafts, which replace lost gum tissue with healthy tissue; and bone grafting, which helps to combat the bone loss in the jaw that can occur when gum disease becomes advanced. Your dentist will go over which option is best for you but you may need to wait until your baby is born for these procedures to be scheduled.
Gum Disease Treatment from Albion Family Dental
Pregnancy and gum disease may be common, but they don’t have to be. Albion Family Dental offers routine exams and cleanings to help prevent gum disease and periodontal therapy to treat it. Reach out today to learn more, or give us a call at 585-589-9044.
Sources:
[1] https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/conditions/periodontal-disease.html
[2] https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/publications/features/pregnancy-and-oral-health.html