How Pregnancy Impacts Your Teeth and Gum: Women’s Edition

How Pregnancy Impacts Your Teeth and Gum: Women’s Edition

Pregnancy is a journey when it comes to your body and all the transformations it will undergo, and as I know first-hand, it can affect your oral health. Hello fillings!

You see, hormonal changes during pregnancy, particularly increased levels of estrogen and progesterone make your gums more sensitive to inflammation which can result in pregnancy gingivitis. Furthermore, morning sickness and cravings for sugary snacks can lead to tooth decay. My dentist recommends that women take extra oral care during pregnancy, such as proper brushing, flossing, and most importantly, ensuring you don’t miss your regular dental checkups so you avoid complications.

Effects of Pregnancy on Teeth and Gums that Every Woman Should Understand

1. Swelling, Tenderness, and Bleeding Gum

Gum problems are the most common oral health problems that women face during pregnancy. Changes in hormones, especially elevated progesterone and estrogen, increase gum blood flow and enhance sensitivity to germs and plaque, which cause inflammation, bleeding, soreness, swelling, and redness of the gums, particularly during brushing or flossing. Untreated gingivitis could develop into periodontitis, a more severe form of gum disease that has been connected to low birth weight and preterm birth.

How to control it: Use an antibacterial mouthwash, brush and floss twice a day, and maintain good oral hygiene. Additionally, routine dental exams are essential from experienced dentists in London.

2. Increased Risk of Cavities

During pregnancy, the chance of tooth decay increases due to pregnancy cravings for sweet or starchy food, combined with morning sickness (which exposes teeth to stomach acid), which can raise the risk of tooth decay. Furthermore, changes in saliva content (an increase for e.g.) during pregnancy may diminish the protective benefits.

Superficial or initial tooth decay rapidly progresses in the deep dental layer in an acidic environment and can cause pain, and infections, which require immediate dental treatment.

How to control it: Rinse your mouth with water or fluoride mouthwash after vomiting if you’re able to or eating sugary foods. Brush with fluoride toothpaste and restrict sugary snacks.

3. Tooth Enamel Erosion

Morning sickness causes frequent vomiting, which exposes teeth to stomach acid and can erode the outer surface of enamel over time and break the enamel protective barrier resulting in sensitivity and an increased risk of cavities. Long-term acid exposure can lead to further dental problems if not treated.

How to control it: Brushing your teeth shortly after vomiting is not recommended since it can distribute acid throughout your mouth. Instead, rinse with water to neutralise the acid, then brush after 30 minutes.

4. Pregnancy Tumour (Pyogenic Granuloma)

In some women, a pregnancy tumour can develop on the gums. These are small and benign growths but they can cause discomfort and bleeding. It appears as a red swollen, tender mass with bleeding gums. Hormonal changes, particularly increased levels of progesterone and estrogen, are the main culprit behind this condition. While this tumour is mostly innocuous, it can interfere with eating or oral hygiene and may require removal if it continues after pregnancy.

How to control it: If you see any strange growths, consult your dentist immediately. Most pregnancy tumours vanish after childbirth. Regular professional dental cleaning and good oral hygiene maintenance can reduce this condition.

5. Loose Teeth

Hormonal fluctuations can temporarily relax the ligaments and bones that hold your teeth together, making them firmly stand in their place. Gum inflammation can also worsen this condition. In rare circumstances, loose teeth may be due to an underlying gum condition.

How to control it: Maintain proper oral hygiene and avoid putting excessive strain on your teeth. If the looseness persists, see your dentist.

6. Excessive Saliva or Dry Mouth

Hormonal variations can cause dry mouth in some women, whereas ptyalism, or excessive salivation, might affect others, which can be uncomfortable and interfere with speaking or eating, while on the other hand, dry mouth might raise the risk of cavities.

How to control it: Drink plenty of water, use a humidifier at night if you have a dry mouth, and chew sugar-free gum to increase saliva.

7. Long-Term Risks to Oral Health

Gum disease and tooth decay issues, if not treated properly during pregnancy, can cause gum recession, and bone loss, after giving birth, which are two long-term oral health consequences of pregnancy. Poor oral health also affects baby health, such as preterm birth and low birth weight, which are two pregnancy issues that have been linked to severe gum disease.

How to control it: A balanced diet, regular dental checkups, and appropriate brushing and flossing should all be priorities when it comes to oral health during pregnancy.

How to Prevent the Long-term Impact of Pregnancy on Oral Health?

Yes, in most cases, pregnancy-related problems, especially gingivitis and tooth mobility, return to normal and naturally heal as the hormonal levels normally decrease following pregnancy. However, this is dependent on how well you take care of your teeth and gums during and after pregnancy. Plaque and calculus debris around teeth and gums can interfere with the gums’ healing journey and can progress the condition into worsened periodontitis and gum recession.

Tips to Prevent Long-Term Impact of Pregnancy on Teeth and Gums

• Keep up a strong oral hygiene routine: Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, floss daily, and use an antibacterial mouthwash.
• Visit your dentist regularly: Schedule regular dental checkups and professional cleaning while pregnant and inform your dentist about your pregnancy.
• Manage morning sickness: After vomiting, rinse your mouth properly with water or a baking soda solution to neutralise acid, then wait 30 minutes before brushing, avoid acidic and spicy food that can cause acid reflux problems in your gut.
• Eat a balanced diet: Limit sugary snacks and prioritise nutrient-enriched meals that promote dental health, such as calcium-rich dairy products and crisp fruits and vegetables.
• Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water to prevent dry mouth, dryness, and remove food particles.

Conclusion

Pregnancy impacts your teeth and gums and increases the risk of oral health problems but these can be treated with adequate care. By practising good oral hygiene, eating a balanced diet and having regular dental check-ups, you can avoid long-term oral cavity damage and keep your teeth and gums healthy throughout and after pregnancy.