Pregnancy is related to a series of hormonal changes that affect the gums in a particularly intense way. There are numerous studies that link gum problems and pregnancy, these gum problems are often related to increased gum bleeding in pregnancy, even in women who have excellent oral hygiene.
Hormonal Changes
Gum care in women is essential during pregnancy, but also at other times of hormonal change.
Estrogens are very important hormones during pregnancy, among other functions, they stimulate the growth of the uterus and increase blood flow to the placenta. During pregnancy, the level of estrogen in the bloodstream increases, and this increase has effects on other parts of the woman’s body. In the mouth, estrogens also cause an increase in blood flow to the gums and thus favor bleeding gums during pregnancy.
Estrogens also act as nutrients for the bacteria that settle on the teeth, increasing the generation of bacterial toxins that destroy the gums and bones that support the teeth. This and other factors can predispose pregnant women to gingivitis.
The Specific Care Required by Pregnancy
Oral health care during pregnancy should be directed by a dentist or periodontist to avoid unwanted effects throughout the pregnancy.
Dental cleaning in pregnancy should be:
Regular: it is recommended to do a minimum of 3 times a day, after each meal.
Disciplined: clean all dental surfaces in an orderly manner so as not to leave any area unclean.
Thorough: use not only toothbrushes, but also tongue scrapers, interdental brushes, or dental floss to clean between teeth.
Oral hygiene during pregnancy also requires the use of oral antiseptics in the form of mouthwashes, as well as cleaning or prophylaxis in dental clinics. These cleanings can be carried out every 3, 4 or 6 months, as considered by the specialist in periodontics after an individualized assessment of each pregnant woman.
Clinics specializing in periodontics recommend that women take care of their gums during all stages of their lives, but especially during times of hormonal change such as puberty, pregnancy, or menopause.
