Gingivities and Pregnant

[Anonymous]

Hello mom to be's!
I am suffering from gingivitis and I am schedule to see a periodontist for a check up and maybe a gum treatment in 2 weeks but found out that I am pregnant.
Should I continue with my appointment?
I heard that gingivitis is not good at all when you are pregnant as it could lead to premature delivery. Can someone share your experience, if you have been in this kind of situation. I am so excited when I found out that I am pregnant but then a bit worried that my illness could affect me having a healthy baby. I hope to hear from you. Thanks in advance!

[sybersus]

YES. Definitely see the periodontist. It will only get worse in pregnancy, especially in the second and third trimesters. You can't get any treatment with Novocaine in the first trimester, but he or she can show you proper brushing and flossing habits. That made a huge difference for me about eight years ago when I was diagnosed. Now that I'm pregnant, I see him for cleanings every three months. There is a "deep cleaning" procedure that he or she can do, which is not a surgery, but it requires aforementioned Novocaine, so it will have to wait until after the first tri.

Now that you are pregnant it is more important than ever to see a specialist.

Good luck! Congrats on your pregnancy. Hope all goes well.

[Anonymous]

sybersus wrote:YES. Definitely see the periodontist. It will only get worse in pregnancy, especially in the second and third trimesters. You can't get any treatment with Novocaine in the first trimester, but he or she can show you proper brushing and flossing habits. That made a huge difference for me about eight years ago when I was diagnosed. Now that I'm pregnant, I see him for cleanings every three months. There is a "deep cleaning" procedure that he or she can do, which is not a surgery, but it requires aforementioned Novocaine, so it will have to wait until after the first tri.

Now that you are pregnant it is more important than ever to see a specialist.

Good luck! Congrats on your pregnancy. Hope all goes well.

Thank so much for your reply.. But we're you pregnant also when you were diagnosed 8 years ago? Thanks

[sybersus]

No, was not pregnant then -- am pregnant now and definitely things have gotten worse. There is a bunch they can do short of deep cleaning/surgery that should help until you get to the second trimester. I thought I was flossing and brushing properly, but the periodontist watched me and gave me an "A" for effort but a "C" for effectiveness. He showed me how to do it properly, and my periodontal disease stopped getting worse for a while. When it did start getting worse again, I went in for different treatments.

FWIW, the periodontist I see is Dr. Marc Stanard, and he's wonderful. He focuses on prevention, explains everything that is going on, and doesn't recommend anything like surgery until it's absolutely necessary. I see him in the DC office, but I think he also has an office in MD.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

sybersus wrote:No, was not pregnant then -- am pregnant now and definitely things have gotten worse. There is a bunch they can do short of deep cleaning/surgery that should help until you get to the second trimester. I thought I was flossing and brushing properly, but the periodontist watched me and gave me an "A" for effort but a "C" for effectiveness. He showed me how to do it properly, and my periodontal disease stopped getting worse for a while. When it did start getting worse again, I went in for different treatments.

FWIW, the periodontist I see is Dr. Marc Stanard, and he's wonderful. He focuses on prevention, explains everything that is going on, and doesn't recommend anything like surgery until it's absolutely necessary. I see him in the DC office, but I think he also has an office in MD.

Good luck!

Thank you so much! Your advice made me feel a bit relaxed now... thanks again!