Epulis of Pregnancy in a 25-Year-Old Primipara

A 25-year-old primipara had her first prenatal visit at 12 weeks' gestation. She said that her gums had recently become irritated and bled easily.

Robert P. Blereau, MD of Morgan City, La, diagnosed epulis of pregnancy. This gingival hypertrophy is caused by the growth of gum capillaries; symptoms may worsen as gestation progresses. Even slight trauma, such as toothbrushing, causes the gums to bleed. Treatment consists of proper dental hygiene and avoidance of trauma.

In most patients, this condition regresses spontaneously after delivery. Epulis of pregnancy may be confused with pyogenic granulomas of pregnancy (granuloma gravidarum), which arise from gingival papillae.