What are some tips for treating swollen and painful gums during pregnancy?

If a pregnant woman has swollen and painful gums, it is best not to use medication for pain relief or treatment, because medication always has some side effects. If the effects of the medication are absorbed by the fetus, this will affect the development of the fetus, so it is best to take the medication after obtaining the advice of a regular doctor. If the gum swelling is mild, you can try gargling with salt water.

Causes of swollen and painful gums during pregnancy

Common causes of swollen and painful gums include gingival abscess, periodontal abscess, wisdom tooth pericoronitis or apical periodontitis, etc. Patients often have chronic inflammation. When the body's resistance is reduced, the weather is dry, they eat spicy and irritating foods, or they suffer from diseases such as diabetes, the original chronic inflammation will cause acute attacks and symptoms of swollen and painful gums, which require appropriate oral treatment.

During pregnancy, due to changes in the endocrine environment of pregnant women, progesterone secretion increases, which promotes the expansion, twisting and circulation retention of the tiny blood vessels in the gums, making the gums more sensitive to mechanical stimulation. The increase in hormone secretion will destroy gingival mast cells, release histamine and lysozyme, etc., which will make the gums react more violently to external stimuli. Therefore, pregnant women are prone to gum inflammation, swelling and pain due to some stimulation.

What to do if pregnant women have swollen and painful gums

1. Adjust your diet

Swollen and painful gums are a symptom of heat in pregnant women. Therefore, pregnant women’s diet should be light. They can eat some foods that reduce heat. Spicy, greasy, and high-calorie foods should be avoided. It is best to go to the hospital to check your oral health problems. If you have oral diseases, you should treat them in time. In addition, brush your teeth carefully in the morning and evening, develop the habit of rinsing your mouth after meals, and if possible, try to brush your teeth after every meal. And drink plenty of water.

2. Rinse your mouth promptly

Rinsing your mouth immediately after each meal and holding a mouthful of light salt water for five minutes and spitting it out can effectively help pregnant women relieve symptoms of swollen and painful gums. For pregnant women who often get angry, they should drink more salty soy milk, which can have a cooling effect on removing heat. In addition, during this stage, you must pay attention to eating more light fruits and vegetables.

3. Rinse your mouth with saline solution

The swollen and painful gums caused by inflammation in pregnant women are not only painful, but also make the teeth itchy and uncomfortable due to the swelling, and may even be accompanied by gingivitis and severe hypertrophy of the gums. At this time, if the gums have already grown pus, gargling with saline containing 1% hydrogen peroxide can reduce irritation to the gums and also have a sterilizing and disinfecting effect.

4. Taking medicine

Although pregnant women should try to avoid taking medication during pregnancy, if the gum swelling and pain are severe, they can still take some painkillers or antipyretics under the guidance of a doctor for early treatment.