Pregnant women and the gingiva
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Why gingival diseases increases in pregnant women?
There are bacteria in dental plaque (P. intermedia) that uses steroid hormones which are released during pregnancy as growth factor. These bacteria increase in number during pregnancy and causes gingival inflammation and enlargement especially in patient with poor oral hygiene.
How to prevent gingival diseases in pregnant women?
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Proper brushing and flossing. |
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Periodic recall visits to the dentist for examining the gingiva and early treatment if needed before pregnancy. |
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Visiting the dentist in case of any bleeding or increase in the redness of the gingiva during pregnancy.
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How and when could gingival diseases in pregnant women be treated?
During pregnancy, it is advisable to do only emergency procedures and postpone any elective procedures to after delivery.
Scaling (cleaning) is the treatment of choice in case of pregnancy gingivitis, but subgingival (deep) scaling and root planing is needed in case of deep pockets or surgical excision of the enlarged tissue.
Scaling can be done by the dentist at any time during pregnancy as it does not need anesthesia. Subgingival scaling or surgical excision of enlarged tissue needs local anesthesia and can be done during the second trimester (during the fourth, fifth, or sixth) except if there is an abscess, it can be treated at anytime.
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