New/changing hormone levels during pregnancy can cause normal, healthy gums to become red, inflamed and painful. This irritation is known as pregnancy gingivitis and is the body’s response to plaque and calculus buildup. It is important to stay regular and sometimes more frequent with your dental visits to remove this plaque and tarter to reduce the inflammation. When the gums bleed they allow access for bacteria to get into the blood stream and can affect the growing baby. Pregnancy gingivitis, if not treated, can lead to low birth weight and/or pre term birth.