Bleeding Gums Treatment Important Even During Pregnancy

Every mom to be wants to have a healthy and hopefully uneventful pregnancy! Obstetricians suggest that women planning on having children should first undergo a complete physical exam and also a dental health check. Granted, sometimes things do not proceed according to plan. But, a woman hoping for a healthy pregnancy still needs healthy teeth. This also means having healthy gums, undergoing preventive care and opting for receding gums treatment if the dentist notices a problem.

Obstetricians have connected advanced periodontal disease (bleeding and receding gums are a symptom of this ailment) and premature babies, as well as babies born with below average birth weights. While it would be best to undergo a bleeding gums treatment prior to conception, the presentation of advanced gum disease and other diseases at times is sufficiently dangerous. Since many times these treatments do not require anesthesia, physicians usually approve dental work on moms-to-be and even suggest the use of penicillin to reduce the number of bacteria present.

At odds with the need for dental care is the assumption bleeding gums are a normal part of a healthy pregnancy. The truth is, the vast majority of bleeding associated with the oral cavity during pregnancy has little to do with hormones. It’s more likely than not to be related to gingivitis, gum disease and the effects the bacteria caused inflammation has on the tender gum tissues. While many women have the mistaken belief that their bleeding gums do not require treatment, their gum line is gradually receding. Before long they may find they need to not only undergo bleeding gums treatment but also treatment for receding gums. In some cases grafting is the only option when seeking to preserve the integrity of the teeth.

It goes without saying there is a vast difference between undergoing gingivitis treatment and cosmetic dentistry work (more aesthetic than necessary). While gingivitis treatment will lower the overall risk of many conditions affecting pregnant women (including the potential for preterm labor) cosmetic dentistry puts unnecessary stress on the woman’s body. If sedation is required, there is also unneeded stress placed on the unborn child. Cosmetic dentistry should be postponed until after the child is born. However, health preserving and teeth protecting procedures should be undergone as soon as possible.

Pregnant women visiting a dentist should get their obstetrician to approve the visit, but before undergoing any exam, x-ray or periodontal disease treatment. It is also crucial moms-to-be tell their dental health care professional and his team they are pregnant! This is a time when over-communicating is a good idea. It won’t hurt to mention the pregnancy when setting up the appointment, when walking into the office and to any team member participating in the pregnant woman’s care.