Part 1: Case Study

Sorry, that is incorrect. Pregnancy gingivitis can lead to erythema, edema and bleeding of the gingival tissues.

Pictured are examples of pregnancy gingivitis:

Pregnancy GingivitisPregnancy Gingivitis

Additionally, pregnant women can develop pyogenic granulomas (called pregnancy tumors when they occur in pregnant women). These pyogenic granulomas are growths that are an exaggerated response to irritation and appear bright red, fleshy and soft with a glossy, ulcerated surface. While the condition is usually asymptomatic, minor manipulation can cause bleeding because there is thinned epithelium and highly vascular tissue present. About 1% of pregnant women develop these "pregnancy tumors," and they are typically found in the interdental papilla. The treatment for these is surgical excision, however in the pregnant woman, treatment should be delayed until after the birth of the baby. Pregnant women with the symptoms of pregnancy gingivitis or pyogenic granulomas should be encouraged to receive a thorough dental exam, as well as dental hygiene therapy, as soon as possible. Pictured below are two examples of a pyogenic granuloma (pregnancy tumor) in a pregnant woman:

Pregnancy TumorPregnancy Tumor

next