Bleeding gums in pregnancy

Pregnancy is a difficult and exciting period in a woman's life. A special reason for concern arises if any incomprehensible and unpleasant symptoms appear, for example, bleeding gums during pregnancy. But is this really a cause for concern, or is there no reason to worry? Is any treatment necessary, or will the bleeding go away on its own? Let's try to figure it out.

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Causes of bleeding gums during pregnancy

The first possible cause of bleeding gums in pregnant women is considered to be the restructuring of the hormonal balance and the redistribution of metabolic processes. During pregnancy, a woman's immunity decreases, the body becomes more vulnerable to infections. The structure of plaque may change, the amount of harmful pathogenic flora in the oral cavity increases. If, simultaneously with these changes, there is improper brushing of teeth, the problem of bleeding may come to the fore: in addition, the coating of the tooth weakens, up to the destruction of the enamel.

The second reason for bleeding from the gums during pregnancy is a deficiency of minerals in the tissues, in particular, calcium. The fact is that calcium, which is actively spent on the formation of the musculoskeletal system of the baby growing in the womb, must be replenished to the same extent from the outside - with food. If this does not happen, then the skeletal system and metabolic processes of the expectant mother suffer, which, among other things, affects the condition of the oral cavity - teeth and gums.

Plaque on the surface of teeth, under the influence of pathogenic microorganisms, over time transforms into denser deposits, which are called tartar. These deposits must be periodically cleaned with special means at a dentist's appointment. This procedure is painless, done fairly quickly, but it is indispensable for preventing such a serious gum pathology as gingivitis.

Gingivitis is an inflammatory process accompanied by redness, swelling and bleeding of the gums. During pregnancy, this disease most often manifests itself in the first trimester of pregnancy, against the background of toxicosis or a radical change in hormonal levels.

Treatment for bleeding gums during pregnancy

To eliminate bleeding during pregnancy, it is useful to rinse the mouth with herbal infusions. This is done after meals and before bed. After rinsing, the infusion must be spit out; swallowing it is not recommended. Pregnant women can use chamomile flowers, linden, oak bark, St. John's wort, etc. for these purposes.

Of the ready-made products, you can use the pharmacy drug "Rotokan", which is made on the basis of an extract of chamomile, calendula and yarrow. "Rotokan" is diluted in the amount of one teaspoon per 200 ml of water, used for rinsing.

It is also recommended to use various liniments and ointments, for example, Metrogyl Denta (active components - metronidazole with chlorhexidine). This gel destroys pathogenic bacteria in the oral cavity and effectively relieves inflammation. Metrogyl Denta is applied to the surface of the gums twice a day, using a cotton swab. The product is quite effective, but is suitable for use only from the second trimester of pregnancy: it is better to refrain from using the drug in the first months.

During pregnancy, you should not self-medicate; it is better to consult a dentist. It is especially important to seek medical help if bleeding is accompanied by sore gums, as well as if the following symptoms occur:

• unpleasant odor from the mouth;
• non-removable plaque on the surface of teeth;
• swelling and puffiness of the gums;
• formation of periodontal pockets.

Remedies for bleeding gums during pregnancy

When choosing remedies for bleeding during pregnancy, it is important to consider that not all medications are safe. For example, pregnant women should not perform the following procedures:

• injections of dental anesthetics based on adrenaline and its derivatives;
• placing arsenic preparations into carious cavities;
• whitening and dental prosthetics procedures.

In the treatment of bleeding, preference should be given to folk remedies based on medicinal herbs. Such remedies should be used only externally, since taking medications internally can be dangerous for the child and for the course of pregnancy itself.

You can use rinses with herbal infusions, for example, using chamomile, sage, oak bark, mountain arnica, yarrow. As an alternative to rinses, you can apply cotton balls soaked in herbal infusions directly to the affected gums.

Rinsing with regular vegetable oil also helps: rinse your mouth with one tablespoon of unrefined sunflower oil for 10 minutes. Then spit out the oil and brush your teeth with a soft brush without toothpaste.

It is important to replenish the lack of vitamins during pregnancy, as their deficiency can also cause bleeding. As a treatment, they drink cabbage brine, which is known to be rich in vitamin C, as well as freshly squeezed carrot or apple juice.

Of the simplest and most accessible means, we can recommend rinsing your mouth with solutions of baking soda, sea salt or honey - 1 teaspoon of each ingredient per 200 ml of warm water.

Prevention of bleeding gums during pregnancy

You can prevent bleeding gums by following these tips:

• teeth should be brushed twice a day - in the morning after breakfast and before bed;
• the toothbrush should be of medium hardness, since one that is too hard will injure weak areas of the mucous membrane, and one that is too soft will not remove plaque effectively enough;
• After each meal, it is recommended to rinse your mouth, especially after eating sour and sweet foods;
• When brushing your teeth, it is advisable to use dental floss – it helps remove food debris from the interdental spaces;
• It is recommended to periodically rinse the oral cavity with solutions to strengthen teeth and gums. Such solutions are sold already prepared, but they can be replaced with herbal infusions or a solution of sea salt;
• It is advisable to exclude sweets from your diet (including sweet drinks);
• It is important to enrich your diet with vitamins and minerals, so eat more vegetables, fruits, greens, dried fruits, berries, and fermented milk products.

Bleeding gums during pregnancy are not a reason to panic, but you can’t ignore this symptom either. Inaction can lead to the development of dangerous oral diseases that can cause trouble not only for the woman, but also harm the future child. Therefore, do not be lazy in contacting specialists, even if the bleeding is minimal: preventive measures are always better than treatment.