Bleeding Gums and Cavities

Pregnancy is considered as a delicate state in a woman’s life because the entire body is under specific stress. Like many other problems bleeding gums and dental cavities can also occur during pregnancy due to many reasons. Read more to learn natural remedies to deal with bleeding gums and dental cavities during pregnancy.Normally a pregnant woman should take care of almost everything including her teeth. This is because the bacteria that cause tooth decay in the mother can pass on to the child as well. However, even though care is taken, dental problems like bleeding gums or cavities are a common complaint among pregnant women.I am usually very particular about dental hygiene, but now my gums have started to bleedDuring pregnancy, gums get inflamed, swollen and tend to bleed easily, because of the overactive hormones. Just as it happens to the mucous membranes of the nose, causing stuffiness and nose bleeds.I seem to have developed cavities out of nowhere!Many women seem to get cavities during pregnancy because of insufficient calcium in their body. In earlier days, women used to say that "you lose a tooth for every child you have". If you do have a cavity, attend to it immediately. If the cavity gets infected, it would be more of a risk to the foetus, than having a cavity filled. Of course, special precautions must always be taken. Local anaesthesia is known to be safe, but avoid x-rays of any kind at all costs.Causes of dental cavities and bleeding gums during pregnancyHere are some of the common causes of cavities and bleeding gums during pregnancy.BacteriaThe main cause of tooth decay or related problems during pregnancy is the result of the bacteria clinging to the gum line and the result is tooth decay. However, it extensively depends on what you eat and how frequently you eat. Also, the time up to which the amount of food stays on your teeth till the remains are washed also causes teeth and gum problems.Nausea and VomitingAnother main cause is due to nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. In majority of the pregnancy cases frequent bouts of vomiting makes a large amount of stomach acid to come into the mouth and this can also be a major cause of tooth decay.GingivitisMany pregnant women have gingivitis, due to which they experience swollen and bleeding gums especially when they brush and floss.Benign NoduleBenign nodule can also develop on the gums which causes it to bleed. It is usually painless and harmless as well. They usually pop up during pregnancy and it will disappear after you have your baby. In some cases this needs to be removed if it does not subside after childbirth.If it causes high level of discomfort during pregnancy leaving you find difficulty chewing or brushing or it starts bleeding excessively, you can get it removed during pregnancy also.How to prevent dental cavities and gum problems during pregnancy?Brush Your Teeth Twice a DayDuring pregnancy it is very important you brush your teeth twice daily. Make sure your brush is soft and you use toothpaste that has fluoride in it. Brush your teeth gently for two minutes.Do Not Brush Immediately After VomitingIf you suffer from morning sickness, avoid brushing your teeth immediately after the vomit. You can freshen up your mouth by rubbing the fluoride toothpaste on your teeth with the help of your finger and then rinse your mouth with normal water.Do Not Brush Immediately After Having Citrus FruitsIf you have eaten a citrus fruit or you had a glass of orange juice, wait for at least one hour and then brush your teeth because acid in the fruit can smoothen your tooth enamel.Have Balanced MealsHaving balanced meal during pregnancy also helps maintain oral health. Try to include apple, pear, whole grains, green leafy vegetables, nuts, eggs, fish and lean meat in your diet.Cut Down Your Sugar IntakeYou can cut down your intake of sugary biscuits, cakes and sugary drinks in order to prevent tooth decay. Avoid eating sweets because they have a tendency sticking to the teeth and are also difficult to scrape out. If you find even slight problem in your teeth or gum, you should get your dental check-up done. Make sure you tell your dentist well in advance that you are pregnant. Drugs and medication is avoided in this condition and so your dentist will decide how the problem should be treated without harming your child.Moreover, maintain hygienic condition of your mouth and this will prevent lot of problems from taking place. You can use a solution of warm water and sea salt to rinse your mouth to get rid of gum problem. No matter what happens, it is very important you take utmost care of your oral health because if neglected, it may proceed from your gums into your teeth and jaw bones which may cause premature labour.What are the causes of bleeding gums and cavities during pregnancy? Which other dental problems can women face during pregnancy? How to prevent dental problems during pregnancy? Discuss here.