Bleeding gums during pregnancy
Although inadequate or simply incorrect oral hygiene is still considered the main cause of gingivitis with bleeding gums, it is now believed that other factors also play a decisive role. The frequent consumption of nicotine (smoking), pronounced mouth breathing, genetic predisposition and also the hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy can promote gum bleeding. It has been proven that the gums and tooth substance react much more sensitively to bacterial deposits in the form of plaque, especially during pregnancy.
This not only promotes the development of inflammatory processes with bleeding gums, but also the formation of carious defects. Consistent oral hygiene is therefore essential, especially for the expectant mother. During pregnancy, swellings within the oral cavity are particularly frequent.
Especially the gums often seem to be affected. Dentists advise to choose a soft-strength brush to protect the tissues when buying the right toothbrush. Outside of pregnancy, medium strength toothbrushes are recommended, as they are sufficient for plaque removal and are gentle on the gums.
In addition, dental care should be performed with as little pressure as possible. In addition, a pregnant woman should have a check-up appointment with her dentist at least every two months and have both her teeth and gums checked. Pathological changes can thus be detected at an early stage and treated in a targeted manner.
Participation in a suitable prophylaxis program is also recommended during pregnancy. In individual prophylaxis sessions, weak points in daily oral hygiene are identified (use of staining tablets), proper oral hygiene is trained and, if necessary, so-called professional tooth cleaning is carried out.During this tooth cleaning, each individual tooth is cleaned from all sides with special instruments (curettage). By means of an individual grinding, which is adapted to the contours of the individual tooth surfaces, these curettes are able to remove both soft (plaque) and hard (tartar) deposits from the tooth surface.
The cause of gum bleeding when you are pregnant is thus removed as completely as possible. Some dentists perform tooth cleaning with the help of a “sandblaster” (airflow method). However, from a professional point of view, this method is more than questionable, as the small particles of the blaster roughen the tooth surface and thus create new pockets of dirt.