Pregnancy Gingivitis

Does anyone have this? I was told I do and that it is common due to hormones sort of taking over.

If you have it or heard of it, do you know what is good to take to help? I know I need to be better about flossing. The hygenist recommended some toothpaste, but I can't find it anywhere. I thought I took good care of my teeth; but apparently I need to do more!

Thanks.

Re: Pregnancy Gingivitis

I have my dentist appt in 2 weeks. I'm a little nervous. I've always been good about brushing, but not always the best on flossing. What is the name of the tooth paste?

Re: Pregnancy Gingivitis

My gums got really bad in my first tri- I went for a dnetal cleaning and I also bought a sonicare electric toothbrush which I think worked wonders for both my teeth and gums .

Re: Pregnancy Gingivitis

I have it even though I am fanatical about oral hygiene. I brush 3x a day and floss every night. It is very common, especially during the 2nd trimester. If you are predisposed to gum disease (usually if your mother has had it) it will probably show up as pregnancy gingivitis. It is totally reversible. I went to the periodontist at the end of the first trimester and she said that I had it and gave me a thorough cleaning. I went at the end of the second trimester and she said it looked much better, almost gone. Next I will go just after the baby is born to make sure it is completely gone.

ETA: I was not told of any toothpaste that would help. Just being diligent with flossing and having a cleaning each trimester should help IMO.

Message edited 6/24/2009 4:17:10 PM.

Re: Pregnancy Gingivitis

DP

Message edited 6/24/2009 4:17:23 PM.

Re: Pregnancy Gingivitis

Crest ProHealth is a good one, it fights multiple dental issues including ginigivitis. One good thing about pregnancy gingivitis is that it is temporary but you want to stay on top of it so it doesn't progress into periodontal disease, once you get PD, there is no going back, only maintaining it.
We tell patients (im a dental assistant) with pregnancy gingivitis to use Crest ProHealth every time you brush and floss as much as you can, the more you floss, the more you will strenghten your gums and avoid them getting any worse, combining that with Crest ProHealth Mouthwash is also a good idea. Before i went to dental school, i have severe gingivitis ( like borderline periodontal disease) and i did the flossing 3 times a day and the Crest ProHealth toothpaste and mouthwash 3 times a day and within 3 months, my mouth looked healthy and my mouth and gums had healthy measurements.
Don't worry, stay on top of it and it will go away after the pregnancy. You don't need to buy any expensive products, Crest ProHealth is affordable and gets the job done.

FM me if you have any more questions.

Message edited 6/24/2009 5:42:35 PM.

Re: Pregnancy Gingivitis

I just went to the dentist on monday because I couldnt take it anymore. I am such a child when it comes to the dentist so you can imagine what my gums felt like to get me into the office. They did the best they could with my cleaning and told me to buy Peroxyl rinse by Colgate to cut down on the irritation. This morning when i woke up and brushed my teeth, I had NO bleeding.

Re: Pregnancy Gingivitis

i had it terribly in my first tri, it got better in the second, and has been around here and there in the third (but NEVER as bad as first tri!).

nothing made it go away completely for me, but rinsing with listerine twice a day (in addition to brushing and flossing) helped a lot.

Re: Pregnancy Gingivitis

Re: Pregnancy Gingivitis

Re: Pregnancy Gingivitis

Re: Pregnancy Gingivitis

as a dental hygienist i see many pregnant patients coming in with bleeding gums etc. My BEST advice to u is :
1) If u brush 2x day then brush 3 or 4.
2) If u floss 1x day then floss 2 or 3
3) More FREQUENT CLEANINGS!!! I have many pregnant patients coming in every 3 months - we try to keep the gingivitis under control with more frequent cleanings

Yes yes, crest prohealth is good, rinsing is good but the MOST important thing is mechanical cleansing. Some people think just using a rinse or a toothpaste will kill bacteria.
THis is how i explain to my patients for them to understand a little better. Bacteria is alive multiplying and stuck on ur teeth (think of little tiny little bacteria with suction feet stuck on ur teeth). You use a mouth rinse that REDUCES the amount of live bacteria (notice i said reduces not eliminates) However when u use the rinse, the bacteria is now dead AND still stuck on ur teeth, under ur gums etc. It is not removed.
It needs to be mechanically removed by means of brushing thoroughly and using floss, toothpicks, proxy brushes etc (anything that can get inbetween teeth) on a regular basis. So rinse but dont forget to floss!

Yes gingivitis is reversabile, but it can easily advance to periodontal disease which is not.
If u are unsure if ur home care is adequate make sure u speak to ur dental hygienist and ask him/her what methods may work best for u. I see some people say get an electric toothbrush - ask ur hygienist if this is the right path for u. I have patients who do worse on electric toothbrushes than they do on manual ones. (and vice versa).

if u have any other questions - feel free to FM me!!!

ETA Peroxyl rinse by Colgate is very good

Message edited 6/24/2009 9:49:39 PM.

Re: Pregnancy Gingivitis

Posted by WNA01

as a dental hygienist i see many pregnant patients coming in with bleeding gums etc. My BEST advice to u is :
1) If u brush 2x day then brush 3 or 4.
2) If u floss 1x day then floss 2 or 3
3) More FREQUENT CLEANINGS!!! I have many pregnant patients coming in every 3 months - we try to keep the gingivitis under control with more frequent cleanings

Yes yes, crest prohealth is good, rinsing is good but the MOST important thing is mechanical cleansing. Some people think just using a rinse or a toothpaste will kill bacteria.
THis is how i explain to my patients for them to understand a little better. Bacteria is alive multiplying and stuck on ur teeth (think of little tiny little bacteria with suction feet stuck on ur teeth). You use a mouth rinse that REDUCES the amount of live bacteria (notice i said reduces not eliminates) However when u use the rinse, the bacteria is now dead AND still stuck on ur teeth, under ur gums etc. It is not removed.
It needs to be mechanically removed by means of brushing thoroughly and using floss, toothpicks, proxy brushes etc (anything that can get inbetween teeth) on a regular basis. So rinse but dont forget to floss!

Yes gingivitis is reversabile, but it can easily advance to periodontal disease which is not.
If u are unsure if ur home care is adequate make sure u speak to ur dental hygienist and ask him/her what methods may work best for u. I see some people say get an electric toothbrush - ask ur hygienist if this is the right path for u. I have patients who do worse on electric toothbrushes than they do on manual ones. (and vice versa).

if u have any other questions - feel free to FM me!!!

ETA Peroxyl rinse by Colgate is very good

Re: Pregnancy Gingivitis

i had it.

They said gargling might help.. It didnt.

Just buy a super soft toothbrush- that helped a little!

Re: Pregnancy Gingivitis

Thanks everyone!!