In plain words
Gingival crevicular fluid is a small amount of fluid in the narrow gap between each tooth and its gum. Healthy gums release a little of it all the time. In pregnancy, the amount rises. Hormone changes make the blood vessels in the gums leak more. The gum tissue also changes, and it responds more strongly to plaque. The result can be red, puffy, or bleeding gums. This is often called . It is common, and it usually responds well to regular cleaning. A dental visit during pregnancy can check for it. Gum changes after birth are usually reversible, and a dentist can help find the source of any ongoing problem.
The deeper version
Gingival crevicular fluid is the serum-derived exudate of the gingival sulcus, and its volume rises with inflammation. Progesterone and estradiol increase vascular permeability. Rising hormone levels increase gingival crevicular fluid, reduce keratinization of the gingival epithelium, and alter fibroblast and immune cell function, exaggerating the inflammatory response to plaque. Progesterone also serves as a growth factor for and related anaerobes, shifting the subgingival flora. Pregnancy gingivitis is most prevalent in the second and third trimesters and generally resolves after delivery. ACOG Committee Opinion 569 (2013) supports routine dental care in pregnancy. has been studied as a risk factor for preterm birth, with mixed evidence from trials. The debate centers on whether periodontal treatment during pregnancy changes birth outcomes, and trials have not established a causal benefit.
Where it comes up
What mothers here say about gingival crevicular fluid
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Sources
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists — Committee Opinion 569: Oral health care during pregnancy and through the lifespan (2013)