In plain words
Periodontitis is advanced gum disease. Infection and swelling pull the gums away from the teeth, and the bone that holds the teeth can be lost. It is more common in pregnancy because hormone changes make gums more sensitive and swollen. Early gum swelling is called gingivitis, and it is easier to treat. Periodontitis is a more serious stage. Some people notice bleeding, bad breath, loose teeth, or gums that pull back. Dental care in pregnancy is recommended, and a dentist can clean the gums safely. Tell your dentist and provider if your gums bleed or hurt.
The deeper version
Periodontitis is the destructive form of periodontal disease, with clinical loss, bone loss, and pocket formation. ACOG Committee Opinion No. 569 (2013) recommends that pregnant people receive routine dental care, including periodontal evaluation and cleaning, and notes that dental treatment is safe in pregnancy with the second trimester often preferred for elective procedures. Observational studies have associated periodontitis with preterm birth and low birth weight, but intervention trials have not consistently shown that periodontal treatment in pregnancy prevents these outcomes, so the association is interpreted with caution. , a reversible inflammatory state, is far more common than periodontitis.
Where it comes up
- Dental care in pregnancyPregnancy: Your Body
- Bleeding gums and nosebleedsPregnancy: Your Body
- What to eat in pregnancy: the short versionPregnancy: Eating
- Pregnancy at 35 and olderPregnancy: Your Body
- Signs of infection after birthPostpartum: Your Body
What mothers here say about periodontitis
No one has posted under this term yet.
Sources
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists — Committee Opinion No. 569: Oral Health Care During Pregnancy and Through the Lifespan (2013)