Pregnant Women with Gum Disease
During pregnancy, some women get swollen and sore gums, which may bleed. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can make your gums more vulnerable to plaque, leading to inflammation and bleeding. This is also called pregnancy gingivitis or gum disease.
"Baby Steps" to a healthy pregnancy. Pregnant women with gum disease may be seven times more likely to have a baby that is born too early, too small, and vulnerable to too many health risks.
If you, or someone you know, are planning to become pregnant soon, stay on top of daily oral hygiene and dental visits. If you have not been flossing regularly or have not had your six-month dental cleaning, there is a good chance you have gum disease.
Studies have shown a relationship between periodontal disease and preterm, low-birth-weight babies. The culprit is likely a labor-inducing chemical that is found in oral bacteria called prostaglandin. Very high levels of prostaglandin are found in women with severe periodontal disease.
About half of women experience pregnancy gingivitis. This is the early stage of gum disease. Common symptoms include swelling, bleeding, redness, or tenderness in the gum tissue.
When gingivitis is not properly addressed, it can develop into the more advanced oral health condition, periodontitis. This infection destroys the supporting bone and gums which holds teeth in place. The infection can also spread to other parts of the body.
Is dental laser (LANAP) safe during pregnancy
Without proper treatment, pregnancy gingivitis can develop into periodontal disease, causing chronic infection and bacteria surplus that can harm a developing fetus, leading to an increase in the risk of premature birth. With LANAP laser gum therapy, Pregnant women can get gum treatment throughout pregnancy.
Pregnant women require the utmost periodontal (gum) care to protect the fetus and help prevent pre-term births. Although traditional dental treatments can be harmful in pregnancy because of the several hormonal changes in the body, laser gum therapy with LANAP to the rescue. With LANAP laser, pregnant women can undergo gingivitis and periodontitis gum disease treatment throughout pregnancy.
What causes pregnancy gingivitis?
Pregnancy gingivitis is caused by an increase in estrogen and progesterone levels. These are essential hormones that help the fetus grow and develop, but they also cause many changes to your body.
One of these changes is increased inflammation of your gums. Although the exact way this happens isn’t clear, healthcare providers think it may be due to:
- Decreased ability of your body to respond to plaque bacteria.
- Increased blood flow to the gum tissue.
What are the symptoms of pregnancy gingivitis?
The main symptoms involve changes to your gums, such as:
- Bleeding when brushing or flossing.
- Redness.
- Shiny gum surface.
- Swelling.
- Tenderness.
You may also notice bad breath that continues even after brushing. Your symptoms may become more severe during your second trimester and continue for the rest of your pregnancy.
Can pregnancy gingivitis affect the health of my baby?
The literature indicates that mild red or swollen gums can harm the fetus or cause a miscarriage or premature birth.
Red or swollen gums if left untreated, gingivitis can lead to periodontitis which is linked to preterm delivery and low birth weight. In periodontitis, inflammation causes your gums to pull away from your teeth, leaving pockets that can become infected. Eventually, this can lead to tooth loss.
How is pregnancy gingivitis diagnosed?
Your OB/GYN or dentist will ask about your symptoms and look at your gums and teeth to confirm the diagnosis.
Are dental X-rays safe during pregnancy?
If your symptoms are severe, you may need dental X-rays. Your dentist will take precautions to shield the fetus from radiation.
Dental and obstetric experts agree that X-rays during pregnancy are safe with the correct shielding. And it may be easier to have dental work done while you are pregnant than after your baby arrives.
How is pregnancy gingivitis treated?
The best treatment to reduce gum inflammation is a minimally invasive procedure known as LANAP for an FDA-approved Laser Gum Therapy. Your dentist will also recommend good oral hygiene to help reduce your symptoms, including:
- Brushing your teeth twice daily.
- Flossing once daily.
- Gargling daily with a warm saltwater rinse (one teaspoon of salt in one cup of warm water).
If your symptoms are severe or getting worse, your dentist may prescribe:
- Oral antibiotics.
- Prescription mouthwash.
LANAP BEFORE AND AFTER
How can I prevent pregnancy gingivitis?
There’s nothing you can do to change your hormone levels during pregnancy, but you can take other steps to prevent pregnancy gingivitis. The best things you can do are:
- Maintain your oral health by brushing twice a day and flossing once a day.
- Schedule a dental visit while you’re pregnant.
You can also improve your oral health by:
- Eating a healthy diet.
- Lowering your intake of sugary foods and beverages.
- Brushing after eating sticky, sweet foods that cling to your teeth, such as raisins, dried fruit, gummy fruit snacks or chewy candy.
- Quitting smoking or using tobacco products.
Will pregnancy gingivitis go away after pregnancy?
The good news is that your gums should return to normal after pregnancy.
Pregnancy gingivitis treatment with LANAP?
Laser-assisted new attachment procedure (LANAP) is a surgical therapy for the treatment of periodontitis, intended to work through regeneration rather than resection.
You can manage pregnancy gingivitis minimally invasively by visiting a certified LANAP doctor for Laser Gum therapy and even prevent it with a visit to the dentist and good oral hygiene. If periodontitis develops, it may lead to tooth loss. You may also be at higher risk of premature delivery and having a baby with low birth weight.
If you are diagnosed with periodontal disease during pregnancy, a nonsurgical procedure called LANAP laser gum therapy or scaling and root planing may be recommended. Research suggests that these procedures may reduce the risk of preterm birth in pregnant women with periodontal disease.
Remember, the health of your gums may affect the health of your baby-to-be. Taking baby steps to give your child an on-time delivery is one of the best ways to give your baby a healthy start.
The literature did not show any pregnancy-related or fetal complications using laser gum therapy
This summary review describes what the literature provides us concerning laser treatment for emergency or elective procedures in pregnant patients. We have conducted an electronic search in Medline and Web of Science.
Results: We found laser surgical treatment of pyogenic granuloma in pregnant patients showing no fetal complications. Conclusion: The scientific literature reports found in the literature did not show any pregnancy-related or fetal complications stemming from the use of laser treatment to manage oral pathology during pregnancy.