All You Need To Know About Combating Gingivitis During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a joyful season in a woman’s life that is accompanied by many highs and lows. From hearing their first heartbeat and feeling their little kicks to handling morning sickness and backaches.

With so many things to think of, and only 9 months to complete everything, women tend to address the most common complications that occur during pregnancy, like diabetes, high blood pressure, and back pain, among others. However, gum disease is becoming increasingly common among pregnant women and is often overlooked.

Gingivitis; a mild form of gum disease affects approximately around 60% to 70% of pregnant women (Source: cdc.gov). Pregnancy is accompanied by hormonal changes that make teeth susceptible to plaque and gum inflammation. This is why gingivitis is a common concern during pregnancy and needs proper attention. If not dealt with properly, gingivitis can turn into a severe form of gum infection called periodontitis, which is found to be harmful to the newborn causing pre-term birth and low birth weight babies.

Causes of Gingivitis During Pregnancy

Hormonal Changes
The levels of estrogen and progesterone are known to increase during the course of pregnancy and play a big role in what causes gingivitis during pregnancy. Research has shown that an increase in these hormones can affect the health of our gums and cause inflammation.

Frequent Vomiting
Expecting mothers often experience morning sickness in the first trimester of pregnancy. This frequent vomiting affects oral hygiene and can erode the enamel of the teeth. If this is not dealt with, it can cause tooth decay and gum disease as well.

Increased Sugar Consumption
Pregnancy is also accompanied by various cravings, sugar being one of the main ones. Sugar converts itself into acid in the mouth, and this leads to enamel erosion over time. If pregnant women consume sugar too often and don’t use a mouthwash regularly, it could lead to cavities and gingivitis.

What the symptoms look like

Pregnancy gingivitis commonly develops between the 2nd to the 8th month of pregnancy. Some of the most common symptoms are bleeding gums, swollen gums, sensitive and tender gums, and bad breath. As soon as you notice these symptoms, you need to start taking proper control measures to prevent them from worsening.

Combating Pregnancy Gingivitis
Practice Good Oral Hygiene
Brushing your teeth twice a day is vital to maintaining good oral hygiene, and this becomes even more important during pregnancy. If your gums start feeling tender, you should invest in a toothbrush with soft bristles to prevent harm or bleeding in your gums. Floss your teeth once a day, preferably before sleeping, to remove any tiny bits of food that get stuck in your gums. It is ideal to rinse your mouth with a Mouthwash. This will help to reduce bad breath and keep your breath clean and fresh.

Use Pregnancy-Safe Dental Products
When there is a life growing within you, you need to be extra careful about the products that you use. Dente91 Mom Toothpaste is specially created to cater to the needs of pregnant women. It is formulated with two powerful ingredients; Nano Hydroxyapatite and Lactoferrin that help strengthen the tooth enamel, reduce plaque and repair cavities. The toothpaste contains Folic acid (Vitamin B9), Vitamin B6, Vitamin E and Vitamin D3 which help in supporting women’s oral health during pregnancy. It is also free from SLS, Fluoride, Paraben, Gluten, Peroxide and Triclosan which makes Dente91 Mom Toothpaste safe for pregnant women and the fetus.

Cleansing your mouth right after vomiting or eating something sweet will wash away the acid that can accumulate and ruin the tooth enamel. Dente91 Mom Mouthwash for ‘Moms-To-Be’ contains Lactoferrin and is multi-functional with antibacterial, and antifungal properties. It helps to fight gingivitis and periodontitis, a condition that leads to inflammation of the gums. It is effective against dental caries and tooth decay while also promoting fresh breath. Created with wholesome ingredients, Dente91 Mom Mouthwash is free from alcohol, paraben and fluoride making it ideal for long-term usage.

Incorporate a Healthy Diet
Healthy fruits and vegetables are beneficial not only for your teeth but for your baby as well. Foods like yoghurt, almonds, soy milk, and green leafy vegetables are high in calcium and are very good for your oral health. In addition, try eating foods rich in vitamin C which can protect your gums from infections.

Visit a Dentist
If you have noticed a few of the symptoms like bleeding or swollen gums during your pregnancy, you can get it checked by a dentist. They will help clean your teeth and give you proper guidance for the next steps to combat gingivitis.

Pregnancy is one of the most joyous times in a woman’s life. Armed with the right oral care practices, you can avoid undesirable dental problems and enjoy carefree pregnancy.

Dente91 SHE Toothpaste Specially Crafted for Women

Dente91 She Toothpaste is the first-of-its-kind toothpaste in India specially created to augment oral health of women. The toothpaste offers the powerful benefits of two unique ingredients; Nano Hydroxyapatite and Lactoferrin which help to reduce hypersensitivity, plaque and repair cavities. The toothpaste contains Folic acid (Vitamin B9), Vitamin B6, Vitamin E and Vitamin D3 which help in supporting women’s oral health during pregnancy. It is also free from SLS, Fluoride, Paraben, Gluten, Peroxide and Triclosan making it pregnancy safe and safe for the fetus.