For a 6-month pregnant woman with bleeding gums and mobile teeth, what is the most appropriate treatment?

The most appropriate treatment for a 6-month pregnant woman experiencing bleeding gums and mobile teeth is conservative debridement. During pregnancy, hormonal changes can lead to conditions such as pregnancy gingivitis, which often manifests as swollen gums that bleed easily. In these cases, conservative measures focused on improving oral hygiene and removing plaque and calculus can significantly alleviate symptoms and improve periodontal health.

Conservative debridement involves scaling and root planing along with thorough oral hygiene education. This type of treatment is effective in addressing the inflammation and mobilization of teeth without being invasive, which is particularly important during pregnancy to ensure the safety and comfort of both the mother and the fetus.

Other options may not be appropriate in this context. Immediate extraction of mobile teeth can be overly aggressive, particularly if the teeth are being affected primarily by reversible gingival changes rather than irreversible periodontal disease. Antibiotic therapy, while sometimes indicated for severe infections, is typically not the first line of treatment for mild to moderate gingivitis in a pregnant patient. Referral to a periodontist may be warranted if advanced therapeutic approaches are needed or if the condition does not improve, but conservative debridement is the initial step that addresses the immediate symptoms effectively.