Is it true that gingivitis during pregnancy is a risk of causing bblr?

According to the Indonesian Dental Association (PDGI), the lack of awareness to maintain dental and oral hygiene makes it easy for pregnant women to experience changes in the gums. This can lead to inflammation of the gums (gingivitis) during pregnancy. Any dental problem, including gingivitis, should be treated as soon as possible. So, is it true that gingivitis that goes untreated during pregnancy is at risk of causing low birth weight (LBW)?

Why are pregnant women prone to gingivitis?

Inflammation of the gums, aka gingivitis during pregnancy, usually appears on the gums at the front of the mouth. You will notice gingivitis because it starts to appear in the second month of pregnancy or the first trimester. This condition can continue until around the 8th month or the final trimester of pregnancy.

It is important to know the cause of gingivitis during pregnancy, which is allegedly at risk of causing LBW. Gingivitis during pregnancy is caused by an increase in the level of the hormone progesterone in the mother's body.

Compared to normal levels, the amount of the hormone progesterone during pregnancy can increase up to 10 times higher. This increase in hormones is accompanied by an increase in the growth of bacteria which causes gingivitis.

This large amount of bacteria then forms plaque on the gums. As a result, you also experience gingivitis or gingivitis during pregnancy.

Not only that, the inflammation that occurs in the gums during pregnancy can also be due to altered immunity. A decrease in the level of immunity can cause different reactions, so that the body's strength tends to weaken against bacteria that cause inflammation of the gums.

It's easy to find out whether you have gingivitis during pregnancy or not. This condition is usually marked by the presence of blood while you are brushing your teeth.

In addition, there are other features of gingivitis that you can pay attention to. Starting from the swelling of the gums, the gums are reddish, to the appearance of bad breath. Starting from this, it turns out that gingivitis is said to cause low birth weight (LBW).

Is it true that gingivitis during pregnancy is at risk of causing LBW?

Even though it doesn't seem to have a clear connection, you have the opportunity to give birth to a baby with low birth weight (LBW) if you experience gingivitis during pregnancy. It's not even a risk of causing LBW alone, gingivitis or gingivitis can also increase the chance of preterm birth.

This is thought to be because the bacteria that causes gingivitis during pregnancy can enter the bloodstream, and then travel to the area where the fetus is located. This then increases the risk of preterm labor and low birth weight (LBW).

Supporting this, a study published in The Pan African Medical Journal, also found the same results. The study found a link between periodontitis and the risk of low birth weight and preterm birth.

Periodontitis is a gum disease caused by plaque buildup, which eventually leads to gum damage and inflammation. Research from the journal Mediators of Inflammation also states that there is a relationship between gingivitis and pregnancy.

In this study, changes in estrogen and progesterone levels during pregnancy affected the growth of bacteria that cause inflammation of the gums. However, these two studies have not been able to explain the mechanism why gingivitis can cause LBW.

Further research is still needed to explain the increased risk of LBW due to gum inflammation or gingivitis.

The importance of preventing gingivitis during pregnancy

You can prevent the possibility of gingivitis which is at risk of causing LBW by regularly brushing your teeth twice a day. To be more optimal, try using a paste that contains fluoride to provide extra protection.

In addition, using a toothbrush with soft bristles also helps protect the gums and prevents irritation. Don't forget, you still need to regularly check your dental health during pregnancy to the dentist.

The reason is that dental health has a considerable contribution to the overall health of your body, including for the growth and development of the fetus in the womb. Meanwhile, if you continue to find symptoms of gingivitis or gingivitis during pregnancy, do not delay to quickly get to the dentist.

The dentist will provide you with medication as well as treatment advice to prevent the bad risks of gingivitis during pregnancy.