What triggers pregnancy granuloma?

• A. Bacteria, irritants, and hormones
• B. Fungal infection
• C. Food allergies
• D. Vitamin deficiency

Answer: (A)

Pregnancy granuloma is a vascular gingival lesion that develops during pregnancy because hormonal changes make gum tissue unusually responsive to local irritants. The elevated hormones, especially estrogen and progesterone, amplify vascular proliferation and the inflammatory response, so when dental plaque or other irritants are present, the gum tissue forms a reactive, bleeds-on-contact mass. Bacteria in plaque contribute to the irritant environment, so the combination of bacteria, irritants, and hormonal changes best explains why this lesion appears. Fungal infections, food allergies, or vitamin deficiencies aren’t the typical triggers for this pregnancy-related gingival lesion.