Bleeding gums during pregnancy

introduction

In pregnant women who suffer from bleeding gums, the gums react (lat. Gingiva) mostly very sensitive to pressure and touch.
Brushing your teeth and / or using dental floss can become a painful procedure in these cases.

The most common cause of bleeding gums are bacterial inflammatory processes within the oral cavity.
Bacteria cause a white-yellowish coating (plaque) on the tooth surface, which consists of both end products of bacterial metabolism and food residues.

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Over time, this dental plaque can penetrate below the gumline and promote the formation of so-called gingival pockets there.
Further pathogens can subsequently migrate into these pockets and, sooner or later, lead to the development of inflammatory processes. The organism first reacts to this condition by increasing the blood flow to the affected tissue. This leads to an increased immigration of cells of the immune system (especially leukocytes and the release of other special inflammatory factors. In addition to the well-known bleeding gums, this also leads to a swelling of the gums in the course of inflammation of the gums (gingivitis).

Read more on the topic: Inflammation of the gums

The bleeding gums themselves are not considered to be a disease, they are just an early, serious symptom of damaged gums. For this reason, a dentist should be consulted as soon as possible if bleeding gums occur.

This is especially true when you are pregnant. If the treatment is neglected, the gingivitis can ultimately spread to other structures of the tooth support system and cause lasting damage.

The jawbone is particularly susceptible to the negative influences of inflammatory processes. The result is often a decline in bone substance and the loss of actually completely healthy teeth.

Bleeding gums during pregnancy

Although inadequate or simply incorrectly performed oral hygiene is still considered the main cause of gum inflammation and bleeding gums, it is now assumed that other factors also make a decisive contribution. The frequent consumption of nicotine (smoking), pronounced mouth breathing, genetic predisposition and also the hormonal changes that occur in the course of pregnancy can promote bleeding gums.

It has been proven that the gums and tooth substance react much more sensitively to bacterial deposits in the form of plaque, especially during pregnancy. This not only favors the development of inflammatory processes with bleeding gums, but also the formation of carious defects.

A consistent oral hygiene is therefore essential for the expectant mother. In the course of pregnancy, swelling within the oral cavity is particularly common. The gums in particular often seem to be affected. Dentists advise choosing a soft-strength brush when purchasing the appropriate toothbrush to protect the tissue. Outside of pregnancy, medium-strength toothbrushes are recommended as they are sufficient for removing plaque and are gentle on the gums.
In addition, dental care should be carried out with as little pressure as possible. In addition, a pregnant woman should make an appointment at the dentist at least every two months and have both the tooth and gum status checked.

Read more on the topic: Oral hygiene

Pathological changes can thus be discovered at an early stage and treated in a targeted manner. Participation in a suitable prophylaxis program is also recommended during pregnancy. In individual prophylaxis sessions, weak points in daily oral hygiene are highlighted (Use of coloring tablets), trained in proper oral hygiene and, if necessary, carried out a so-called professional teeth cleaning. During this tooth cleaning, every single tooth is cleaned with special instruments (curettage) cleaned on all sides.

With an individual cut, which is adapted to the contours of the individual tooth surfaces, these curettes are able to remove both soft (plaque) and hard (tartar) deposits from the tooth surface. The cause of the bleeding gums when you are pregnant is removed as completely as possible.

Some dentists clean their teeth with the help of a "sandblaster" (Airflow process) by. From a technical point of view, however, this method is more than questionable, as the small particles of the emitter roughen the tooth surface and thus create new dirt niches.

Prevent bleeding gums during pregnancy

Since many pregnant women vomit, care should be taken not to clean the teeth immediately after vomiting. This fact is due to the fact that the tooth enamel is roughened due to the contact with acidic gastric juice and is therefore much more sensitive. In this case, rinsing the teeth with clear water is gentler on the substance.
In addition, when pregnant and taking calcium supplements, care must be taken to ensure that calcium and fluoride ions form complexes with one another. This means that the teeth no longer have access to the fluoride they need. For this reason, calcium and fluoride must never be used at the same time

be applied. However, the most important preventive measure against bleeding gums during pregnancy is to eat as healthily as possible. In terms of dental health, this not only means that the intake of vitamins and sufficient minerals is essential. Tooth-friendly nutrition is the be-all and end-all! For this reason, sugary foods should be avoided as far as possible.

Read more on the topic: What is the best way to stop bleeding gums?

Which home remedies help best?

In general, thorough oral hygiene is very important during pregnancy, as the organism tends to develop gingivitis more than normal. Those affected should switch to a soft toothbrush, as slight mechanical irritation can trigger bleeding and, if possible, no pressure should be applied. Dental floss or interdental brushes should also be used to prevent bacteria from settling in the interdental spaces. Those affected can still ensure that they do not eat particularly spicy or acidic foods that would put additional strain on the gums.

Mouthwashes can help against bleeding without affecting the child's development. It is important that these do not contain alcohol. A preferred preparation is Salviathymol N, which calms the gums thanks to the herbs it contains. This is a homeopathic remedy

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As a comparable home remedy, rinses with unsweetened herbal teas such as chamomile or sage can be used to regenerate the irritation of the gums. Clove oil and myrrh have also proven themselves as active ingredients and can help as a rinsing solution and relieve symptoms. In general, a dental check-up every 2 to 3 months can also be advisable, provided that the home remedies do not provide relief more often.

Read more on the subject. Therapy of bleeding gums

Can bleeding gums be a sign of pregnancy?

The hormonal change at the beginning of pregnancy ensures that the various tissues of the body change. The dentist can often see this change in gum changes in the early phase of pregnancy. The gums can already be changed in the second and third weeks of pregnancy. It is softer and often becomes swollen and more prone to bleeding.

This bleeding can occur while brushing your teeth or using floss and space brushes. The blood vessels are more likely to be injured by mechanical applications such as using a toothbrush. In addition, the gums are more sensitive to bacterial infestation, which can more easily trigger gingivitis, or gingivitis. Since these signs appear so early in pregnancy, it is possible to identify signs of pregnancy from them. Nevertheless, it should be noted that the inflammation of the gums can also arise from many other causes and therefore pregnancy does not have to exist.

Read more on the topic: Causes of Bleeding Gums

Furthermore, the cause of bleeding gums in a localized area is usually mechanical irritation or injury.Only a generalized tendency to bleed throughout the oral cavity would be a hormonal sign. Generalized gingivitis can also be caused by poor oral hygiene, a weakened immune system or similar reasons. Therefore, bleeding gums can be a sign of pregnancy if it occurs throughout the oral cavity, but it doesn't have to be. For a reliable diagnosis of pregnancy, the attending gynecologist should be consulted, who will carry out a pregnancy test.

Read more on the topic: Signs of pregnancy