It may be a wonderful and joyous event, but pregnancy can have some not-so-wonderful effects on your oral health. During this special time, expectant mothers can expect not only a beautiful baby, but also potentially an oral pregnancy tumor. Here’s what you should know about these and other common pregnancy dental concerns.
What are common dental concerns during pregnancy?
It makes sense that if pregnancy affects the entire body, dental concerns may also arise. Some common dental concerns during pregnancy include:
- Pregnancy gingivitis: Increased levels of progesterone helps gingivitis-causing bacteria to grow. During pregnancy, this can mean red and bleeding gums, especially in the front of the mouth. Women who experience this find it begins in the second trimester and gradually tapers off after the baby is born.
- Tooth erosion: Pregnant women with morning sickness accompanied by vomiting may see tooth erosion as the acid in the stomach eats away at the enamel of their back teeth. This dental concern occurs most often in pregnant women with severe morning sickness.
- Excessive saliva: This is much less common and is usually only present when expectant moms experience nausea.
Another dental concern is a pregnancy granuloma, commonly referred to as an oral pregnancy tumor.
What are oral pregnancy tumors?
Whether they are referred to as an oral pregnancy tumor, a pregnancy granuloma, or a pyogenic granuloma, pregnancy tumors in the mouth affect between two and ten percent of expectant moms. These tumors are inflamed nodes of tissue that stem from a variety of factors.
As with other dental concerns during pregnancy, oral pregnancy tumors occur most frequently during the second trimester.
Their appearance is sudden and unmistakable. They feature a raised red surface that bleeds easily. Oral pregnancy tumors are usually connected to the upper gum line by a thin stalk, but they can be located anywhere in the mouth. The surface of the tumor may have a dark red pinpoint in the center. Some tumors will crack, bleed, crust over, and repeat the process as long as they are present.
Why do oral pregnancy tumors occur?
Causes of oral pregnancy tumors include the following:
- Poor oral hygiene: Some pregnant women will struggle with proper oral hygiene during pregnancy due to pregnancy gingivitis that includes swelling and bleeding gums. While not every pregnant woman will develop oral pregnancy tumors, those with widespread and severe pregnancy gingivitis are much more likely to.
- Trauma: Trauma to the mouth, especially when accompanied by poor oral hygiene that increases the bacterial load in the mouth, can result in an oral pregnancy tumor.
- Hormones: Hormones surge through the body as pregnancy progresses. There is some indication that this surge may contribute to the formation of oral pregnancy tumors. However, oral pregnancy tumors are not solely caused by hormonal surges and are usually accompanied by pregnancy gingivitis or other factors (e.g., bacteria).
- Viruses: Viruses can cause inflammation in the body that, in combination with other factors, gradually concentrates into the raised nodes of oral pregnancy tumors.
- Malformed blood vessels: In rare cases, malformed blood vessels are the cause of inflammation.
The name oral pregnancy “tumor” is misleading, as these growths are not cancerous. Still, a pregnancy tumor on the gum can be uncomfortable for women who are already experiencing the widespread physical discomforts of pregnancy.
How to get rid of pregnancy tumors
Unlike some tumors that occur in the mouth, pregnancy tumors can away on their own. For many women, oral pregnancy tumors are a minor annoyance that they can deal with after pregnancy (see more treatments below). For others, oral pregnancy tumors are so large as to interfere with talking and eating.
Women who have experienced oral pregnancy tumors in the past may utilize preventative hormone treatments to prevent them in future pregnancies. Other preventative treatments include:
- Proper oral hygiene: Especially with the increased risk of pregnancy gingivitis, oral hygiene during pregnancy is the most important preventative measure expectant moms can take to protect their oral health. Brushing properly twice a day and flossing at least once daily should be a regular part of your self-care. Using a soft-bristled brush and not brushing too hard can keep teeth and gums healthy. Rinse regularly with a non-alcoholic mouthwash, as directed by your dentist.
- Regular dental checkups: Regular dental checkups are an important part of prenatal care. Your dentist can monitor any changes in your teeth and gums. If you are struggling with oral hygiene or having other issues, your dentist can help.
For pregnancy tumor treatment after pregnancy, the approach depends on the severity and location of the tumor. In some women, the tumor disappears after the baby is born and no further treatment is necessary.
If the oral pregnancy tumor persists after pregnancy, or it interferes with eating and speaking or causes discomfort during pregnancy, your dentist may elect to remove it. This simple procedure is done with a local anesthetic and takes less than an hour from start to finish.
Will it go away on its own?
It is important to note that in approximately half of removal cases, the oral pregnancy tumor will regrow. This may necessitate a second surgery. Women who experience regrowth of the tumor are usually those who need to have the tumor removed while they are still pregnant.
For all pregnancy tumor treatments your dentist will try to determine the initial cause of the tumor. They do this in order to address the underlying cause. If excess plaque is the irritant that causes the tumor, it may be necessary to perform a gentle deep cleaning. Other causes, such trauma or hormones, may also be addressed by simply improving oral hygiene.
Your Phoenix area family dentist should care for you during all stages of your pregnancy. If you are expecting, give AZ Dentist a call to set up an exam.