Bleeding gums during pregnancy is generally common. This is caused by hormonal changes inside the body, and you can expect to see swollen or bleeding gums during the second or third trimester. However, these won’t affect your growing baby in any way, but it is essential to consult with a dentist. Keeping good dental hygiene during pregnancy might help you in reducing the consequences of pregnancy gingivitis. 

Read this article to learn more about having bleeding gums during pregnancy. 

Is it common to have bleeding gums during pregnancy? 

Several pregnant women have tender, red, swollen gums that bleed when brushed or flossed. This is pregnancy gingivitis, or you can even say a lenient type of gum disease. This is generally caused due to hormonal changes that make gum highly sensitive to bacteria. Your levels of estrogen and progesterone are immensely high in pregnancy, which enhances the blood flow to your mucous membrane and leads to sensitivity. 

You might also evolve a small nodule or lump on your gums that bleed when you floss or brush. This infrequent nodule is known as a pyogenic granuloma or pregnancy tumor. This might sound like scary names for a thing that is painless and usually harmless. Pyogenic granuloma might usually pop up anywhere around your body during pregnancy, but they appear most frequently inside the mouth. 

This pyogenic granuloma can spread up to three to four-quarters of an inch and is more likely to develop in the gingivitis area. It generally vanishes after the baby is born. If it doesn’t, then you might need to remove it. If you are feeling more discomfort because of this nodule while you are pregnant and it interferes with brushing or chewing, you can also get it removed. 

Gum disease symptoms during pregnancy 

• Swollen gums
• Reddening along the margin of gums
• Bleeding gums while flossing and brushing
• Mobile teeth
• Pregnancy tumors or pyogenic granuloma 
• Gum recession
• Bad breath
• Sore gums

Complications of pregnancy gingivitis 

Gingivitis during pregnancy or at any other time is mild gum disease. But it can lead to preeclampsia, low birth weight, periodontitis, and can even increase the chances of preterm delivery. 

Keeping good care of your gums during pregnancy can help you to avoid such complications and keep your baby healthy after delivery and during gestation. 

Care to be taken

• Brush your teeth twice a day, and use a soft-bristled toothbrush.
• Too much pressure on the gums might cause bleeding, thus brushing your teeth gently.
• Appropriate dental care during pregnancy is an ideal way to avoid Gingivitis.
• Avoid vigorous brushing, as it may worsen inflammation. 
• Assure that you must get sufficient calcium and vitamin C, which can promote the health of gums and teeth. 
• Try to reduce sugary food and sticky food.
• Try alcohol-free mouthwash rinse when needed

Difference between pregnancy tumor and pyogenic granuloma

• Pregnancy tumor

Often a pregnant woman develops these tumors on her gums. These are small nodules or lumps that appear on the gums, which might bleed while flossing and brushing. This rare lump is known as a pregnancy tumor. 

• Pyogenic granuloma

This is not cancer but instead just a swelling that occurs most frequently between teeth. It is a lobulated or smooth exophytic lesion. The immature lesion is more probably red, because of the huge number of blood vessels, while the mature one changes into pink color. Such lumps are benign and generally disappear after the baby is born. 

Proper dental care in pregnancy is an ideal way to prevent pregnancy gingivitis. Creative Dental Clinic will help you with bleeding gums during pregnancy and with all your dental concerns and needs. We have an internationally experienced team of dentists who can help you with any kind of dental issue.