Morning Sickness and Swollen Gums

Pregnancy and dental problems seem to go hand in hand. The usual swelling associated with pregnancy is brought on by the changes in hormones. They can cause more fluid retention in the tissues of the body. Since gums are tissues, they are affected by the increase as well. Unlike other tissues, the accumulated water in the gums is painful to the touch. Since the gums are routinely exposed to hot foods, cold drinks, acidic environments, brushing and flossing, it’s not unusual to hear women complain about morning sickness and swollen gums. These are two very common conditions associated with pregnancy.

Adding insult to injury is the possibility of developing gum ulcers that not only make the pain of the swollen gums worse, but may actually cause moms-to-be to forego good oral hygiene. Instead of making their pain worse with brushing, they choose to instead start swishing with water or oral rinse to cleanse the mouth. While this is better than nothing, it is a far cry from sufficient when it comes to preserving the health of teeth, gums and the body of Mom and Baby in the future! Everyone knows brushing and flossing is a great way of keeping the mouth and the teeth healthy. Most everybody is aware sick teeth and gum tissues can lead to other problems, in other areas of the body. However, not everyone is aware that during pregnancy the speed of these conditions is accelerated.

In this case, they can actually also affect the baby well before it has a chance to be born. Dentists warn, expectant mothers should not forego their twice annual visits to the dentist because of pregnancy. Instead, they urge women to visit the dentist (letting her or him know about the pregnancy) and have the hygienist check for the progression of plaque buildup and other problems around the gums line. Dentists have a term for this condition: pregnancy gingivitis. In the end, it doesn’t matter what the problem is called, as long as it is dealt with quickly and decisively.

The temptation to curtail proper brushing because of the pain the swollen gums evoke is great. When the aversion to brushing teeth in the morning because of morning sickness is added to the equation, it only makes sense bacteria has an easy way of accumulating right around the gum line. The bacteria lead to the buildup of plaque and the tooth decay follows. In response, gums previously swollen because hormonal changes caused an increase in tissue fluids are now swollen because of gingivitis.

Not to worry! There is a solution to the problem! Morning sickness and swollen gums must not prevent pregnant women from continuing their oral hygiene tasks. To make things a bit easier, it’s a good idea to begin using a smaller toothbrush. A smaller toothbrush is less likely to stimulate the gag reflex in women who are sensitive to morning sickness. Instead of the sudsy toothpaste that probably came from the grocery store, choosing a natural paste formulated without the artificial ingredients. On a positive note: Although rumors do swirl, it’s a reassuring fact to know swollen gums do not indicate mouth cancer.