Hormonal changes during pregnancy are commonly associated with which gingival condition?

Hormonal changes during pregnancy are commonly associated with which gingival condition?

• A. Pregnancy gingivitis (marginal, generalized)
• B. Dental caries
• C. Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis
• D. Recession

Answer: (A)

Hormonal changes during pregnancy heighten the gum tissues’ inflammatory response to dental plaque. This often leads to pregnancy gingivitis, a marginal, generalized gingival inflammation that appears or worsens with plaque buildup and bleeding on probing. It is a common finding in pregnant patients, especially during the second and third trimesters, and it typically improves after delivery with good oral hygiene and routine dental care. The other options don’t fit as the classic gingival condition linked to pregnancy hormones: dental caries is tooth decay, not gingival inflammation; acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis is a severe infection associated with systemic stress or immune compromise; recession is the pulling back of the gum margin, not specifically a pregnancy-related inflammatory condition.

Hormonal changes during pregnancy heighten the gum tissues’ inflammatory response to dental plaque. This often leads to pregnancy gingivitis, a marginal, generalized gingival inflammation that appears or worsens with plaque buildup and bleeding on probing. It is a common finding in pregnant patients, especially during the second and third trimesters, and it typically improves after delivery with good oral hygiene and routine dental care.

The other options don’t fit as the classic gingival condition linked to pregnancy hormones: dental caries is tooth decay, not gingival inflammation; acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis is a severe infection associated with systemic stress or immune compromise; recession is the pulling back of the gum margin, not specifically a pregnancy-related inflammatory condition.