Pregnancy gingivitis and tumor gravidarum

Abstract

During pregnancy periodontal tissues may become more susceptible to internal and external factors promoting inflammation. Changes in hormone levels, alterations in the periodontal tissue structure and a predisposition to dilating blood vessels during pregnancy may lead to a painful inflammation as a response to a slightest amount of biofilm. Tumor gravidarum emerges in 5% of pregnant women during the first or second trimester — it may recede and fade completely right after the labour when hormone levels normalize. This paper explains the aetiology and potential risk factors of pregnancy gingivitis.