Pregnancy Tumors, Oral

A pregnancy tumor is not cancer. It is a harmless growth in the mouth. A small number of pregnant women get this growth. It usually develops during the second trimester. A pregnancy tumor is a red or purple bump. It can show up anywhere in the mouth, but it's often seen near the gumline. It is usually attached by a narrow stem of tissue. The bump bleeds easily. It may form an open sore or become crusted over. Pregnancy tumors range in size. Some are only a few millimeters across. Others are an inch or two in size.

Pregnancy tumors are not dangerous. Causes can include:

Poor oral hygiene (not enough brushing, flossing or cleanings)

Irritation of the area

Trauma

Hormonal changes - Some pregnancy tumors heal after the pregnancy is over

Women with pregnancy tumor often have a lot of tartar on their teeth.

A pregnancy tumor is a pyogenic granuloma; it is also called a pregnancy epulis or granuloma, or granuloma gravidarum.

The main symptom is a red swelling on the gums or somewhere else in the mouth. It may bleed and be uncomfortable. It may also grow large quickly.

Your dentist will examine your mouth. He or she may remove part or all of the bump in a procedure called biopsy. In a biopsy, a small piece of tissue is removed and examined in a laboratory.

Pregnancy tumors may disappear or shrink after a pregnant woman gives birth. Sometimes they are removed during a dental cleaning. Pregnancy tumors may be visible and embarrassing to the pregnant woman. In some cases, the swelling is removed for this reason.

You can reduce the chances of getting a pregnancy tumor by:

Having regular dental cleanings before you become pregnant
Visiting the dentist during your second trimester for a cleaning
Brushing and flossing every day, before and during your pregnancy

Some pregnancy tumors have an obvious cause. If this cause is removed, the tumor will often stop growing. It may even shrink. For example, having a lot of tartar on your teeth can irritate your gums. This can cause a pregnancy tumor to grow. If your dentist cleans off the tartar, it will help to treat the tumor.

If the tumor bothers you or makes it hard for you to eat, your dentist can remove it. The best time to do this is during the second trimester. You receive an injection (needle with medicine) to numb the area so you do not feel the tumor removal. Some women may need to see a specialist, such as an oral surgeon or a dentist with special training in pathology or oral medicine.

Contact your dentist if you have a lump or swelling in your mouth.

Some pregnancy tumors come back even after they are taken out. The chance of the tumor coming back increases if the teeth are not cleaned, and if you don't improve brushing and flossing at home. If a pregnancy tumor is not treated, it can bother you and sometimes be painful. In some people, the tumor shrinks after birth. Food can get stuck in the area of the tumor. This could lead to gum disease.