Bleeding gums are a common pregnancy symptom, especially during the second trimester, when rising hormone levels can make your gums more sensitive, swollen, and prone to bleeding. While it's usually nothing to worry about, maintaining good oral hygiene and keeping up with dental checkups can help keep your mouth healthy throughout pregnancy.
Here's what to know about why your gums are so tender and how to minimize your discomfort.
When do your gums usually start bleeding during pregnancy?
Starting around week 15 of pregnancy, the same pregnancy hormones that cause your mucus membranes to swell and your sinuses to clog can also inflame your gums, making them more likely to bleed.
"I'm about midway through my third pregnancy, and my gums feel inflamed, easily irritated, and bleed every single time I brush my teeth," says What to Expect Community mom bethanybell.
What causes sore and bleeding gums during pregnancy?
Several factors could be contributing to your swollen gums and sore mouth during pregnancy, including:
- Surging hormones. No surprise here: Hormones are the most likely culprit. In addition to causing swelling, they can leave your mouth more vulnerable to bacteria and plaque, which can lead to tender gums, gingivitis, and tooth decay if not treated properly.
- Changes to your mouth and eating habits. You may produce less saliva during pregnancy and eat more sweets and carbs, creating an oral environment that's friendlier to plaque and cavities.
- A delayed reaction to morning sickness. If you experienced morning sickness with vomiting earlier in your pregnancy, your teeth and gums could still be feeling the temporary effects of those less-than-pleasant acid baths.
- Your newly finicky senses. You may simply be more sensitive to the smell or taste of mint during pregnancy. While aversion to oral care products isn't all that common, some research suggests it may help explain why some pregnant women avoid their usual brushing and rinsing routines. A more sensitive gag reflex might also play a role.
"I'm really strict with my dental hygiene but still have days where my gums bleed as though I haven't been flossing for a while," says Community member lunamouse.
Get more expert advice and track your symptoms in the free What to Expect app.
What can I do about bleeding gums when I'm pregnant?
Here are some simple steps you can take to minimize your symptoms:
- Get checked. Try to visit your dentist at least once during your pregnancy for a checkup and cleaning — but be sure to tell your dentist and hygienist you're pregnant. They'll help make sure you get the pregnancy-safe care you need.
- Take care of your teeth. The rule of thumb: Brush twice a day for two minutes and floss regularly. But don't confuse being thorough with being aggressive — choose a soft-bristled toothbrush, whether manual or electric, and be gentle. Overaggressive brushing and flossing can make tender gums even more sensitive and prone to bleeding. If the smell of mint makes you gag, try a fruit-flavored toothpaste designed for kids, or even baking soda. If those don't appeal to you, ask your dentist to recommend another product.
- Brush your tongue. It's not just your teeth that need attention. Brushing your tongue can help reduce bacteria in your mouth.
- Swish it out. Ask your dentist to recommend a non-alcoholic therapeutic mouthwash that can help reduce bacteria and plaque between brushings.
- Remember to rinse. If you're suffering from morning sickness during pregnancy, make sure to brush your teeth — or at least rinse your mouth — after vomiting. Doing so can help remove acid and bacteria and get rid of the unpleasant taste.
- Eat right. Make sure you get plenty of vitamin C, which can help keep your gums healthy. Also meet your calcium requirement every day to keep your teeth and bones strong.
- Skip the sweets. While it's fine to indulge cravings in moderation, try to limit sugary treats when possible, especially sticky candies that cling to your teeth. Whole fruit is a more nutritious option when you're craving something sweet. Dried fruit can also stick to teeth, so pair it with protein-rich nuts or a piece of cheese when possible (see below).
- Chew on it. Can't brush after a meal? Try chewing a piece of sugarless gum or, unless you're allergic, grabbing a handful of nuts or a small chunk of cheese. All have antibacterial properties that may help support oral health.
"I had this with my last pregnancy and this one as well," says Community momamandaberg. "It took a lot more work to get it under control this time (floss, brush, and mouthwash twice a day), but it finally is.
When can I expect my gums to stop bleeding?
Your gums will probably stop bleeding after delivery. While pregnancy can affect your oral health, if your gums were healthy before pregnancy, they're likely to return to normal afterward. In fact, large studies have found no major differences in the prevalence of gum disease or cavities between pregnant and non-pregnant women.
"My gums bled big time when I was pregnant with my daughter," says Community mom nmm184. "Completely returned to normal after delivery."
When should I call the doctor or dentist about bleeding gums during pregnancy?
Some gum tenderness is normal. But if your gums are bright red, very sore, or bleed easily — say, your toothbrush has taken on a pink tinge, or you're spitting blood when you rinse — you may have gingivitis, or inflammation of the gums.
Gingivitis is common — 60 to 75% of pregnant women get it — generally mild, and relatively harmless. But it can sometimes progress to the more serious but treatable condition periodontitis. Research suggests periodontitis during pregnancy may increase the risk of premature labor, low birth weight, and preeclampsia. Tell your health care provider if you're diagnosed with periodontitis.
If you notice a nodule on your gums that bleeds when you brush, have your dentist take a look. It's most likely either a canker sore or a pyogenic granuloma, also known as a “pregnancy tumor” — a scary-sounding term for a harmless condition.
These small, round red bumps appear in about 5% of pregnant women. They can pop up on many parts of the body during pregnancy, including on your arms, hands, and face, but they're especially common on the gums. They usually regress on their own after delivery, but if you have one that's particularly bothersome, your dentist may recommend removing it.
Should I get dental checkups during pregnancy?
Yes. Getting regular dental checkups and cleanings is important during pregnancy. But research suggests that some women skip the dentist when they're expecting. They may already be dealing with nausea or acid reflux and don't relish the thought of someone working in their mouth, or they may worry unnecessarily about the effects of dental procedures on their baby.
Now is no time to let your oral health slide, though. Taking extra good care of your teeth and gums during pregnancy means both will stay strong and healthy longer.
"Highly recommend upping the number of cleanings while pregnant!" says Community member Ellietime. "They keep an eye on everything so they can let you know before anything is a problem. And each cleaning is so much easier and shorter since I'm going more often and there's less build up."
"I had bleeding gums with my first pregnancy but didn't go to the dentist," says Community mom VouDouLuv. "When I finally went, they said I had pregnancy gingivitis that developed into periodontitis. I had to take antibiotics and do a deep clean. I'm much more careful this time around."
Yes 
No 
