Periodontal Disease & Pregnancy

Periodontal Disease

During pregnancy, many women find themselves in a very susceptible state for the problems associated with periodontal infections. Between the second and eighth month, an expecting mother often finds her gums to be swollen, bleeding, red and tender. Large lumps of swollen gum tissue may appear. These are know as ‘pregnancy tumors.’ These lumps are usually painless but can clinically signify the destruction of jawbone underneath.

During a pregnancy, isolated sites of rapid jawbone destruction may lead to compromised tooth support or even tooth loss.

Periodontal infections during pregnancy are currently the topic of some extensive research. It has been documented that the incidence of lower birth weight and premature babies significantly increases for mothers with uncontrolled periodontal infections.

Periodontal health should be a part of good prenatal care. Any infections during pregnancy, including periodontal infections, can have adverse affects on the baby’s health.

The best way to prevent periodontal infections and their complications is to begin with healthy gums and jawbones before you become pregnant.

Maintaining your oral health with proper home care and routine periodontal monitoring will decrease your risks of problems during this memorable time. For additional information, please refer to the Health Risks section of our website.

Oral Contraceptives

The clinical symptoms of swelling, bleeding and tenderness from the gum tissues may also occur when you are taking oral contraceptives which are synthetic hormones. You must mention any prescriptions you are using, including oral contraceptives, before starting any medical or dental treatment. By doing so, you will help to eliminate the risk of drug interactions. The effectiveness of oral contraceptives can be decreased by antibiotic use.

Menopause

Changes in the look and feel of your mouth may occur if you are menopausal or post-menopausal. The gum tissues may experience pain or spontaneous irritations. You may also notice burning in your tongue or gum tissues. Salty, peppery or sour tastes may appear.

Careful oral hygiene at home and professional in office maintenance may relieve these symptoms. In some cases, additional water intake or saliva substitutes may be required to treat the effects of ‘dry mouth.’ The use of prescribed steroids may be needed to minimize or control these symptoms.