Which hormonal change in pregnancy is associated with an increase in crevicular fluid volume and rate?

• A. Increase in estrogen and progesterone
• B. Increase in testosterone
• C. Decrease in cortisol
• D. No hormonal change

Answer: (A)

The main concept is how pregnancy hormones influence the gums. During pregnancy, estrogen and progesterone levels rise, and these hormones make gingival tissues more reactive to dental plaque. They promote increased vascular permeability and edema in the gingiva, leading to more inflammatory exudate entering the gingival sulcus. This causes an increase in the volume and rate of gingival crevicular fluid. In short, the rise in estrogen and progesterone drives the larger crevicular fluid flow seen in pregnancy-related gingival changes.

Other hormonal changes listed aren’t the drivers of this specific effect: testosterone doesn’t rise in pregnancy to cause this gingival response, and while cortisol changes occur during pregnancy, it’s not the factor described for increased crevicular fluid in this context. Also, there is clearly a hormonal change during pregnancy, so “no hormonal change” isn’t correct.