By Aspen Dental
How to deal with Pregnancy Gingivitis?
If you are pregnant, your dental health is probably the last thing on your mind. It’s still important to practice good dental hygiene in order to prevent pregnancy gingivitis. Gingivitis is a gum disease that causes gums to be red, swollen, and bleeding, due to poor dental hygiene. If not treated gingivitis can lead to periodontitis.
Pregnant women are at an increased risk for gingivitis and periodontitis because the hormonal changes in their bodies increase blood flow and the gums become more sensitive. Try following these tips to prevent pregnancy gingivitis or to stop it if you already have it:
- Brush your teeth twice each day, once in the morning (and again after vomiting if you have morning sickness), and once in the evening before bed.
- Floss every day. Flossing cleans the spaces between your teeth where a toothbrush can’t reach and protects your gums.
- Tell your dentist you are pregnant and continue biannual visits to their office. You should see your dentist at least once while you are pregnant.
- Use a warm salt water rinse, either daily or periodically, depending on your needs. Mix 1 cup of warm water with 1 teaspoon of salt. Gargle this for about 30 seconds and spit it out.
If your gingivitis has progressed to periodontitis, your doctor or dentist can prescribe a prescription mouth rinse to treat it. Gum surgery is also an option for extreme cases.
If you notice any sudden changes in your dental health, talk to your dentist. If you think you have pregnancy gingivitis or periodontitis, feel free to call or visit us at Aspen Dental for more tips on how to treat it.
