Periodontitis in pregnancy: symptoms and effective remedies to cure it!
Periodontitis in pregnancy is a problem that affects many future mothers, but which can be cured with the right prevention or targeted treatment. This pathology consists of extensive inflammation affecting the periodontium, that is, the set of structures used to support the teeth. If left untreated and neglected, it inevitably leads, over time, to tooth loss.
The cause of periodontitis are gram-negative bacteria, which increase during the period of pregnancy. This explains why pregnant women are most at risk. Furthermore, periodontal bacteria can enter the bloodstream through the periodontal pockets and thus reach the amniotic fluid, causing birth before term and / or of underweight newborns.
Do not worry: fortunately, today periodontitis can be cured, and there are also specific non-invasive treatments without the need for anesthesia, without the risk of causing damage to the child. Before analyzing the treatments for this disease, let's deepen what it is and what are the main causes and symptoms.
Before proceeding with the reading of the article, find out what it is best to avoid doing pregnancy for your own sake and for your little one!
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What is periodontitis and what are its main symptoms?
Periodontitis, as anticipated, is a "chronic infection that affects the periodontal tissues, causing a progressive loss of bone tissue around the teeth. Often you do not notice that you suffer from it for several years and the symptoms are underestimated, first of all bleeding. of the gums.
Even 60% of the adult population suffer from it and its spread tends to increase with age. The negative impact of this disease is greater if you also suffer from systemic diseases such as atherosclerosis and diabetes.
In addition to gum bleeding, other symptoms associated with periodontitis are halitosis, drooping of the gums, displacement and mobility of the teeth and, finally, widespread sensitivity to heat and cold.
What are the causes and risk factors?
Periodontitis is caused by periodontal pathogenic bacteria and their toxins, which cause "inflammation of the periodontal tissues, with the release of pro-inflammatory proteins (leukocytes and fibroblasts). The" inflammatory infiltrate thus activates the destruction of bone tissue and the progression of disease which, as we have seen, is the main cause of tooth loss.
Among the triggering causes of this pathology there is first of all the lack of daily oral hygiene, which remains fundamental for the prevention and counteracting the manifestation of symptoms. If the plaque and tartar are not removed at home and with regular sessions by a specialist can activate the inflammation process and make it chronic.
Smoking is also an important risk factor: smokers are three times more likely to get sick than non-smokers and will also respond less well to curative treatments. Statistically it is proven that a smoker has periodontitis conditions fifteen times more advanced than those who do not smoke and is likely to take it even under the age of 40.
Periodontitis in pregnancy
During pregnancy, you need to pay more attention to your teeth and gums. The high levels of progesterone and estradiol in the blood, in fact, carry a high risk of gum inflammation: tissues and mucous membranes become more sensitive.
The increase in estrogen also affects bleeding and gum inflammation because it increases the volume of blood circulating. However, this is not a good reason to resign oneself to the so-called "gingivitis gravidarum", which in any case must be prevented and treated.
Finally, crevicular fluid, ie the liquid containing sugars and proteins found in the gum collar, increases during pregnancy and, in addition to facilitating the increase in bacterial plaque, feeds the gram-negative bacteria that cause periodontitis. Dental hygiene during pregnancy will then be more important than ever!
Cures, treatments and remedies
Periodontitis must be treated as soon as the first symptoms appear.Pharmacological treatments involving non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroid drugs or disinfectant-antibacterial pharmacological specialties can be used to ease the discomfort of symptoms (but not to eliminate the causes of inflammation). These drugs can be combined with (but not used as a substitute) natural remedies such as aleo vera gel to be applied to the gums, echinacea, propolis, dandelion or horsetail.
There are several dental treatments useful for stopping the disease. You can operate a removal of plaque and tartar (the so-called "scaling") or a root planing, ie the removal of the tartar hidden under the gum.
Sometimes the treatments mentioned are not enough and surgery can be used: flap surgery, soft tissue grafts, bone grafting. However, there are less invasive but absolutely effective treatments, such as the PERIOBLAST method proposed by EDN IMI, which involves the systematic and combined use of biomoecular analyzes, operating microscope and laser. Through a precise diagnosis, which uses laboratory biomolecular analyzes, can understand the biological foundations of the infection, thus elaborating personalized treatments based on the combined use of the operating microscope and the laser: the first allows to treat the roots avoiding the opening of the gums, while the laser eliminates the pathogenic bacteria nested in the non easily accessible with drugs and stimulates natural bone regrowth.
Prevention and oral hygiene in pregnancy
A legend says that going to the dentist during pregnancy is risky: far from it, it is essential! Your dentist will need to arrange for regular checkups and professional oral hygiene. Caution should be used only in case you have to resort to x-rays and anesthesia, but your doctor will certainly know how to behave: trust!
To prevent periodontitis, we repeat, oral hygiene is essential, and in pregnancy it is even more so. Always remember to floss or brush each night and rinse yourself with an alcohol-free mouthwash. Brush your teeth after each meal, preferably with an electric toothbrush, for at least two minutes.
Checkups at the dentist should be done periodically, at least twice a year, although it would be better every 3 months. Finally, try to limit the consumption of foods and drinks rich in sugars, also to avoid the risk of developing gestational diabetes.
Here are all the problems a woman needs to watch out for during pregnancy:
