Swollen Gums ... Could Be Pregnant... What Should I Do??

Updated on October 20, 2009
J.F. asks from Raeford, NC
20 answers

I have never had swollen or bleeding gums. I've read that it is a common sign of pregnancy. Well, I'm 3 months late on my period, but the tests keep coming back negative. I have a 2 year old daughter. I didn't find out I was pregnant with her until I was 5.5 months because all of the tests, including 3 blood tests, came back negative! My gums are swollen and have been bleeding lately. I have severe lower back pain, I don't have morning sickness though. I have, ALSO, had 2 blood tests since August. Both came out negative. I'm so confused on what to do. I want to go get it checked out, but they may have to do an x-ray. And if I AM pregnant, that could be VERY damaging to the fetus! Has anyone else had problems like this?? If so, what did you do?? Thanks! (:

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L.S.

answers from Jacksonville on

I would request an ultrasound. You'll be able to see first hand whether you're pregnant or not. Good luck, J.!

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K.H.

answers from Huntington on

I've never heard of this, but an ultrasound can detect pregnancy even after a few weeks (may need to do it vaginally if it is before 6-7 weeks).

I'd also go ahead with a dental appointment. You are shielded with lead wraps if they do any X-rays, but then s/he may not recommend them. Dental problems can be very serious.

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V.C.

answers from Louisville on

J., you won't have a X-ray if there is a chance you may be PG.. they will give you an ultra sound either vaginally or on your abdomen.

2 moms found this helpful
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A.T.

answers from Wilmington on

If you are concerned about dental xrays, don't have them. Many dentists are using digital xrays as well. They may be less as they are like cameras. Talk to the doctor about it. If you have serious gum disease, it won't happen overnight and your old xrays will show this. They can also do an oral exam for pockets, receeding and swollen gum issues. Regarding the pregnancy question, there could be many issues....fibroids? They can do an ultrasound of the vagina/ovaries and see what is happening. An ultrasound is an xray but they do them all the time on pregnant women.....Could be many things so you may want to consult a GP/Internist as well as an OB/GYN. It doesn't hurt to get more than one opinion.

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S.A.

answers from Raleigh on

If you go to the dentist, it's unlikely they would need to do an xray. Even if they did, you can tell them you think you are pregnant and they will give you a lead shield over your body. As far as the bleeding gums go: swollen, red, tender gums that bleed when you floss or brush are a sign of pregnancy gingivitis, and they're a common complaint during pregnancy. (About half of moms-to-be have these symptoms.) The inflammation is caused by higher progesterone levels that make your gums more sensitive to the bacteria in plaque and by increased blood supply to your mouth.

Your GYN would do an ultrasound (a sonogram is the actual picture you get to see/print when you have an ultrasound done). Since your blood tests are coming back negative, you need to make sure you aren't experiencing an ectopic pregnancy (where the egg attaches someplace else other than inside the uterus) as those are very dangerous.

Symptoms of of unruptured ectopic pregnancy include abnormal vaginal bleeding (dark and watery blood), pain the pelvic area (usually one-sided), amenorrhea, low backache, tenderness in breasts and pain while urination and during bowel movement. If the ectopic pregnancy gets ruptured, it may cause abnormal and uncontrolled bleeding, pelvic pain and low backache. Treatment can be done with medications (in early stages of pregnancy) that disrupt the development of embryo, ultimately leading to abortion. However, in cases of ruptured ectopic pregnancy, surgery becomes the only choice. Amongst the complications of ectopic pregnancy, the most common is rupturing resulting in internal bleeding (may even result in shock). About 10% cases result in future infertility.

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M.C.

answers from Johnson City on

Your docter should be able to tell if you are pregnant by doing an ultrasound on you or by doing a pelvic. There should be no need for an x-ray.

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B.R.

answers from Raleigh on

Call your doctor. They can do an ultrasound (mine did it in the office) to see there is any gestational development.

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G.I.

answers from Huntington on

Hi J., You need to make an appointment your OBGYN. Have them to do an ultrasound so that you can begin getting the proper care for you and your unborn child, if it proves to be that you are expecting. Don't put this off. No X-rays, get an ultrasound done thru your OBGYN.
God Bless!
G.

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K.P.

answers from Memphis on

It could just be a sign of normal gingivitis, too. I had a bit of that during my pregnancies, and I had read that taking vitamin C (pregnant or not) would help, so I increased my daily intake of vita C for a few days, and it went away. Some websites will caution against taking C while pregnant, because the baby could develop scurvy after birth, but that is only with large doses of vita C taken up until birth, and then the baby is immediately cut off from your intake of C, so does rebound. However, a few days mid-pregnancy is nothing to worry about. [Also, if you're pregnant, swollen/bleeding gums has been associated with higher risk of problems in pregnancy, such as preterm birth. They're not sure if it's some sort of bacteria entering your body through your mouth that causes preterm birth; or if whatever causes preterm birth might also cause dental/oral problems; or what.]

What about asking your doctor for an u/s, considering your past history? If there is no fetus in your uterus, then you can get X-rayed with no problems. And if there is, you've got your answer! You ought to get checked out, because if you're *not* pregnant, and you're *not* menstruating, then you may be having problems worse than swollen gums.

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J.K.

answers from Asheville on

I would take a cap of hydrogen peroxide and hold in mouth for 10 minutes. Do not swallow. Do this daily and your problem should go away.

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R.R.

answers from Raleigh on

Demand an ultrasound and don't take no for an answer. Good luck!!

1 mom found this helpful
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L.M.

answers from New York on

Go to the doctors. You could have a tubular pregnancy which could be dangerous. The blood work should come back accurate. They do not do x rays, they'll do a sonogram. Go to the docs tomorrow.

1 mom found this helpful
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D.G.

answers from Chattanooga on

They can do dental xrays when your preg. I had to have them when I was preg with my now 11 year old son. They put a vest over your stomach to protect you. Go see your GYN .. good luck either way

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E.G.

answers from Clarksville on

you have had blood tests? has your doctor not done a sonogram to at least check your uterus and ovaries in case u are not pregnant? Anything could cause bleeding gums and missed periods, thyroid and other hormone issues could contribute. i'd talk to the dr about a sonogram.

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A.S.

answers from Norfolk on

Could be something else entirely. You should go to the doctor.

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D.S.

answers from Louisville on

have you talked to your ob? Maybe they would do a ultrasound & that wouldn't be harmful like a xray. Pregnancy gingivitis is very common, swollen/bleeding gums.

good luck!
D.
dawnstonephotography.com

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T.G.

answers from Charlotte on

Hello J.,

I had two or three blood test did not finding anything but when they did the x-ray I had a tubal pregnancy. I am not telling you to scare you I just know that it happened to be me. I had alot of back pain and pain in my lower stomach. I had to have emergency surgery. Ask you doctor if this could be possible. I hope you do not have this and the test just are not picking up the pregancy hormones. Good Luck

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P.M.

answers from Greensboro on

If in your heart you feel you are pregnant, you are. Make decisions with that in mind. Get an ultrasound. I have three children and never had morning sickness or any common symptoms of pregnancy. Rinse your mouth with a salt water rinse. Put warm water in a glass and add table salt. Rinse like mouth wash. Congradulations.

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R.U.

answers from Nashville on

go to your ob and ask for an ultra sound. no harm to a baby. good luck. R.

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C.D.

answers from Nashville on

have them check your hormone levels, because theat can cause a negative test also. I had the same problem with my last 2 pregnancies, luckily , my dr knew I was even with the negative test . good luck

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