Play Full VideoPregnancy is a time to be especially mindful of your own health, and like any great mom, you are no doubt balancing nutrition, exercise and prenatal checkups. We encourage you to pay special attention to your oral health during pregnancy and not ignore signs of pregnancy gingivitis.
About half of adult patients in the United States struggle with some form of gum disease, and many don’t even realize this. Pregnancy can put you at greater risk for gum disease due to the changes in your body and fluctuations in your hormonal balance. For example, an increased level of progesterone can cause your mouth to have more disease-causing bacteria than usual and affect your oral health.
Due to these hormonal changes, it’s not uncommon for pregnant women to experience a unique condition called pregnancy gingivitis, which is a milder form of gum disease. If you notice this condition in your own smile, we recommend visiting a dental professional as soon as possible for treatment to prevent any health risks that could affect your baby. Untreated pregnancy gingivitis can lead to premature birth or low birth weight and additional complications of a preterm birth, including hearing and vision loss, digestive issues and respiratory problems.
You can prevent the development of pregnancy gingivitis by maintaining a daily oral hygiene routine and scheduling dental checkups as recommended. You are welcome to contact Char Dental at 808-450-2155 today for a consultation with our dentists to learn more about pregnancy gingivitis in Honolulu, Hawaii. Dr. Char, Dr. Mashimo, and our entire team welcome your questions!