You are pregnant and you notice the most sensitive gums, your mouth bleeds when you brush your teeth ... During pregnancy, mainly for hormonal reasons, the gums will be more susceptible to inflammation, with the risks that this implies: suffering more directly from oral diseases.
If we do not treat gum problems, we put our health and that of the baby at risk. Therefore it is essential to prevent inflammations and take care of the gums during pregnancy. But how to get it?
We will begin by pointing out that it is usual for pregnant women to have their gums bleeding at some point, since these, like nasal mucous membranes, become inflamed and tend to bleed easily due to hormones. But if the bleeding that we can consider more or less within normal (although it is one of the little known discomforts of pregnancy) we add redness, sensitivity, inflammation ... we can be talking about something more serious.
Periodontal diseases, those that affect the gums, have a high prevalence, especially after 35 years (between 25 and 40% of the population, according to data from the Spanish Society of Periodontics, SEPA).
Previously, it is likely that, if you have suffered gum problems before pregnancy, they will be repeated at this stage. To avoid the risks involved in pregnancy (premature birth, low weight babies, fetal death ...), you must take care of your mouth properly. There are two important conditions of periodontal disease:
Gestational gingivitis or pregnant gingivitis, typical of pregnant women, which is characterized by hypertrophic interdental papillae and there is a marked increase in vascularization, with consequent bleeding. Everything predisposes to tooth decay and suffer infectious problems. It is vital to keep gingivitis at bay and if it has been done throughout life, that is, if the woman has not had problems of this type before, the incidence of gingivitis will be anecdotal (less than 1%). However, if you have gingival inflammation before pregnancy, the frequency of onset increases between 36 and 100% of cases according to SEPA.
Periodontitis, commonly called pyorrhea, is a disease that can initially occur with gingivitis and that can lead to tooth loss. During pregnancy it can progress more rapidly due to a low state of defenses and other factors such as nausea and has been associated with infertility, premature births and abortions in severe cases.
In addition, much less frequent, there are tumor forms (gingival epulis or granulomas), which are associated with pregnancy and can disappear after it with proper control of the bacterial plaque, although sometimes they need to be removed with surgery.
Specific, pyogenic granuloma of pregnancy It appears as a nodule in the gum, it is a small lump, soft, very erythematous, that bleeds easily every time the woman brushes her teeth (she can even bleed when eating). It usually appears in the upper jaw and, in particular, in the anterior vestibular region (between the dental arches and the lips). It is harmless, although if it bothers a lot it can be removed surgically. After delivery, it usually goes into regression.
Caring for gums in pregnancy
To avoid gum disease, you must maintain proper food and oral hygiene. Here we leave the keys:
Brush your teeth for two minutes after each meal, also away from home and with special thoroughness before bedtime. Use a soft brush and complete cleaning if necessary with dental floss. Don't forget to also brush your tongue and palate.
Reduce the consumption of saturated fats and sugars, which affect oral health and leads a healthy and varied diet, rich in vitamins and minerals. The General Council of Dietitians-Nutritionists stresses the importance of choosing healthy cravings for the general health of the mother and the fetus, and especially for the oral health of the mother. Eating unhealthy foods between meals and not brushing your teeth afterwards can be very harmful to your mouth at this stage.
Take foods rich in vitamin E and C, which reinforce the gums.
Reduces the consumption of acidic or sugary drinks, which damage tooth enamel (among other risks).
Eliminates tobacco, since this, in addition to multiple other damages for women and the fetus, is related to the destruction of periodontal tissue.
Dentists recommend at least one visit during pregnancy to check the state of oral health of women and perform a mouth cleaning if necessary. If you have a problem with teeth or gums, do not let time pass and make an appointment.
Finally, we remember that the gums and teeth maintain a very close relationship, since that tissue is responsible for laying a strong base for dental pieces, in addition to protecting them against bacteria. We do not want the myth of "A pregnancy, a tooth" to come true, so we will take full care of our mouths and avoid unnecessary risks during pregnancy.
Photos | iStock
More information | SEPA
In Babies and more | Gingivitis during pregnancy: how to keep it at bay, Periodontal disease in pregnancy, how to prevent it?
