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Teeth and Gums

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When you see blood in the sink after brushing or flossing your teeth, you may feel worried that something is wrong. Unfortunately, pregnancy-induced swollen or sensitive gums are so common (blame the hormones and the increased blood circulating in your body) that there's even a name for it: "pregnancy gingivitis."

It's important to take as good care of your teeth and gums as you can, and many doctors advise having a thorough dental exam before you get pregnant. According to a study presented at the 2001 meeting of the American Association for Dental Research, women with serious gum disease (known as periodontitis) are twice as likely to have premature babies....

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Oct 5, 2008 at 6:44:26 PM

If my gums are bleeding when I brush them now, but didn't before I was pregnant, do I need to see my dentist? Should I be worried?       


It's pretty common for your gums to bleed occasionally while pregnant. You've got a lot more blood volume in you to provide for the baby, and as a result the tissues in your nose and mouth are also slightly swollen and more prone to bleeding. If you haven't seen the dentist since you became pregnant, schedule a routine cleaning so your dentist can check your gums. Also, be sure you're not brushing too hard - the normal pressure you used before you became pregnant might cause bleeding now.
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