Hi there! I have 4 dental implants in my upper gums to secure an impanted-supported denture. I had the implants placed in July 2008 and have had the actual dentures since Spring 2009. (I had a regular upper denture for 7yrs prior to the implant surgery.)

I see my dentist 2x/year for cleaning and to check on the implants. My last check up was in Nov 2010, at which point I was approx. 2.5-3mos pregnant. My dentist told that bleeding gums are common during pregnancy and that I could even experience the bleeding in my upper gums even though there are no teeth there, but bleesing near the implants would not be uncommon nor cause for concern.

I have never had any bleeding gums during my previous 4 pregnancies or in this pregnancy...until this morning. (I am currently 32 weeks pregnant) I noticed some blood while brushing my teeth, and it did seem to come from my upper gums, perhaps near an implant. Of course, by the time I got my handheld mirror out to investigate to the source, the blood was gone.

I am wondering if this should just be contributed to the pregnancy and I should simply mention it to my dentist at my next check up in May, after the birth. Or if I should be concerned because it could have occured near a dental implant.

Hi tbrown,

First let me clarify something you mentioned in your post for others who may be reading this ..... dental implants are not placed in the gums. They are surgically drilled or tapped directly into the jawbone.

Bleeding gums around natural or crowned teeth is common during pregnancy. However, it is important to note that bleeding of the gums are never a sign to ignore because it indicates something unhealthy is going on. Yes, the fluctuation of the hormones can contribute to inflammation in the gum tissue which creates excessive amounts of red blood cells which means more blood volume in those areas. However, thorough daily tooth brushing and flossing will minimize the plaque, reduce the inflammation and reduce the incidence of bleeding. Also, a nutritious diet with little to no sugar and preservatives also decrease inflammation.

Bleeding gums around dental implants during pregnancy or any other time is a sign of inflammation that may or may not indicate a problem with the implant. A few things I would take notice of...

1) Are there any loose implants?
2) Is the bleeding only when you brush or do you taste blood at other times?
3) Is the denture causing excessive pressure in one area more than another?
4) Is the gum tissue inflamed, puffy, sore?
5) Could you be scraping the gum tissue with your brush causing an abrasion?
6) Is there a build up of plaque around the implant posts? Are you brushing them well enough to remove the plaque?

Depending on what is causing the bleeding, determines what needs to be done. It may be something very simple to remedy...

Look forward to hearing from you!

Bryanna

Hi! I didn't mean they were actually in my gums - I only meant to clarify that they were in my uppers rather than in my lowers.

1) Are there any loose implants?

No, they don't seem to be loose at all when I touch them or even try to wiggle them.

2) Is the bleeding only when you brush or do you taste blood at other times?

The only time it happened was during my usual morning toothbrushing this morning. I even tried to brush the upper gums shortly afterwards to see if I could see where the blood might be coming from, but no blood the 2nd time around.

3) Is the denture causing excessive pressure in one area more than another?

I feel no extra pressure or pain upon snapping the upper denture back in place nor as they day has gone one.

4) Is the gum tissue inflamed, puffy, sore?

It doesn't appear to be inflamed or puffy, and it's not sure. I do have a small bump on my gums, just above the implant, but that is not sore...simply there.

5) Could you be scraping the gum tissue with your brush causing an abrasion?

This could be -- it only concerned me since it has not happened since I received the implants.

6) Is there a build up of plaque around the implant posts? Are you brushing them well enough to remove the plaque?

There's no plaque that I can see of course; I brush twice a day, and floss around the implants as well. I also use Tom's mouthwash twice a day.

I'm sure it is from the pregnancy as my dentist's office did tell me that it was possible, and I have never had this issue before. Perhaps, if it never accurs again,all is well? In any case, I am on strict bedrest so going to the dentist for a check would have to be absolutely necessary, so I thought I'd get an opinion here first.

Hi tbrown,

Yea, it's sometimes a good idea to clarify things because it's so easy to get the wrong idea or misinterpret what someone is saying. So, thanks for doing that!

You mentioned a bump on your gum above the one implant...is this the same implant that had the bleeding incident? Do you know how long that bump has been there and does it ever change in size or shape?

Bryanna

The "bump" has been there since I got the impants...I assumed it was from the rubbing from the appliance as we went through many adjustments in the beginning. It's hard (not soft) and doesn't hurt at all. And since I don't stare of my gums daily, it could very well come and go or it could just stay. My dentist has never said anything about it, although I've never specifically pointed it out either...but since she does check my gums at each checkup, she couldn't miss it. My last pan. xray was a little under 2yrs ago; she'll do that every 3 years and I do the basic xrays at every other cleaning. I'm not really concerned about the bump really, but I'll mention it at my next cleaning in May. And it may not be considered a "bump," perhaps just a spot. :/

And no more blood with my last several brushings, so it really could have been that I was just brushing too hard. If it has occured on the bottom gums, I wouldn't have thought twice about but since it seemed to occur on my uppers, it concerned for a second. But as I said, the dentist did tell me that my upper gums could still bleed as a result from the pregnancy, even though I have no real teeth up there any longer, just the implants.

Hi tbrown,

Glad to hear that there is no more bleeding when you brush! Hopefully it was just an abraision.

The hard bump or spot above the implant can be a bony protrusion and nothing to be concerned about. If the size changes or it comes and goes, then it would be wise to have it checked at your next dental appt.

Hopefully everything is clear sailing from this point on.... all the best to you and your soon to be new little one )

Bryanna