Mom Struggles: Dental Issues During Pregnancy

Teeth health is very important in every stage of life, pregnancy included. As a matter of fact, expecting mothers need to pay special attention to dental health because shifting hormones and the baby taking nutrients from you can lead to various dental issues. If you’re pregnant today, here’s a list of common oral concerns many mothers experience and how you can prevent them or solve them in case they occur. Maintain a perfect smile all through pregnancy by keeping an eye on these:

Pregnancy gingivitis

Probably the most common oral issue among pregnant women is pregnancy gingivitis (it even has its own name). If you notice any changes in texture or color of gums, feel irritation, notice blood during brushing and flossing or develop chronic bad breath that doesn’t improve, make sure to contact your dentist right away. You might get an antimicrobial rinse to use daily and add to your hygiene routine to minimize oral bacteria and help your gums.

Why is pregnancy gingivitis so dangerous? Well, according to various major studies, there’s a link between gum disease and premature delivery. Pregnant women who suffer from gingivitis are four to seven times more likely to have a premature birth or give birth to underweight babies. The severity of your gum issues plays an important role since mothers with the most severe cases of gingivitis delivered the most prematurely (at 32 weeks). It’s still unclear whether treatment of periodontal conditions reduces the risk, so prevention is the best cure so far.

Pregnancy cysts

Around 10% of expecting mothers develop large lumps with red markings on gum tissues (usually need the upper line of gums). These lumps might bleed, glisten and crust over while also causing difficulties when eating and speaking. The growths in question are called pregnancy cysts or tumors and can pop out at any time during pregnancy, but they appear mostly in the second trimester. Pregnancy tumors usually occur as a reaction to extreme inflammation caused by irritation by food or plaque.

Even though they might look and seem scary, these tumors are harmless and they usually disappear after delivery. If they don’t cause pain or interfere with your eating habits, your doctor will probably decide to leave it and wait to check it out once you give birth. If it doesn’t disappear when the baby arrives, the tumor can be easily removed with local anesthesia (it might return later, though).

Enamel erosion

Enamel erosion is another pretty common dental issue in pregnant women, especially those that experience a lot of morning sickness. Frequent vomiting can put a lot of stomach acid in your mouth which can cause tooth decay and enamel erosion. In some cases, it can cause irreversible damage and even cause teeth to fall out. For prevention, make sure to brush your teeth and rinse right after you vomit. And if you’re not satisfied with the look of your teeth after birth, you can find a reliable dental laboratory and opt for crown restoration or dental implants. There’s nothing modern dentistry can’t solve, so you can smile whenever you want!

Mouth dryness

Changes in hormones can often lead to mouth dryness. This is not only uncomfortable, but the lack of saliva can leave acidic plaque intact and put you at risk of developing tooth decay. To battle mouth dryness, stay hydrated and stock up on sugar-free candies and lozenges.

Teeth sensitivity

Enamel erosion, gum issues and oral dryness can all trigger teeth sensitivity to hot or cold foods and drinks. To prevent this, it’s important to treat the causes of sensitivity, but you can also grab a desensitizing gel or get an optical treatment at your dentist’s office to reduce sensitivity.

If you stay informed and keep up with good preventive measures, you will get to show your pearly whites all through your pregnancy and welcome your kid with a big smile on your face.

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