How Does Pregnancy Impact Your Oral Health?

Before Pregnancy | Treatment During Pregnancy | Oral Health Impacts | Risks

Pregnancy changes your body in hundreds of ways. This often includes your oral health, which can be heavily impacted by hormones, cravings and morning sickness.

Let's discuss the impacts that pregnancy may have on your oral health; potential risks to you and your baby's health; and preventative measures you can take to limit oral health problems during and after pregnancy!

Visiting The Dentist Before Pregnancy

You’re less likely to have dental problems during pregnancy if you look after your teeth and gums before you are pregnant.

Brush your teeth twice a day
Use floss or an interdental brush daily
Limit food and drinks that are very sugary or acidic
Avoid tobacco products
Visit your dentist every 6 to 12 months

If you’re planning on getting pregnant, see your dentist to discuss any treatments that can be done before your pregnancy. Non-urgent procedures can often be performed after the first trimester.

Dental Treatment During Pregnancy

Always tell your dentist that you are pregnant. Dentists will take extra precautions to ensure your care is safe for you and your baby. Untreated decay and gum disease can lead to infections, which can be a risk to you and your baby.

Common concerns about dental treatment during pregnancy include local anaesthetics, or numbing agents, and dental x-rays. These are all safe during pregnancy. If you have concerns, speak to your dentist so they can discuss your individual needs and options.

You can see the dentist at any stage of your pregnancy. Some people find it is most comfortable during the second trimester, when morning sickness has reduced and before the increased size of the baby makes them uncomfortable.

Hormone Changes and Gum Disease

Pregnancy hormones can cause a variety of gum problems:

Gingivitis – this is likely to occur during the second trimester and causes gum swelling and bleeding.
Periodontal disease – this is caused by untreated gingivitis and can lead to tooth loss.

Pregnancy epulis or pyogenic granuloma – a red, round growth that appears on the gum, which can bleed easily.

If your gums bleed, don’t stop cleaning your teeth. Continue to use a soft-headed toothbrush and clean between your teeth with floss or interdental brushes.

Impacts of Morning Sickness

Gastric reflux and the vomiting associated with morning sickness can cover your teeth with strong stomach acids. Repeated reflux and vomiting can damage tooth enamel and increase the risk of decay. If you’re experiencing vomiting:

Avoid brushing your teeth immediately after vomiting, as
stomach acids weaken tooth enamel.
Rinse your mouth thoroughly with plain tap water.
Follow up with a mouthwash containing fluoride, or put a blob of
fluoride toothpaste on your finger and smear it over your teeth.
Wait for an hour after vomiting before you brush.

If you experience recurrent severe vomiting, speak to your dentist about specific techniques and products that can help combat any damage the acid may do to your teeth.

Food Cravings

Pregnancy can cause unusual food cravings. If you have cravings for sugary or acidic snacks, it’s best to avoid consistent snacking on them as it may increase your risk of tooth decay.

If you’re craving sugary or acidic foods and drinks, try to finish them in one sitting and drink plenty of water. Finishing your food in a smaller timeframe allows your saliva to remineralise and strengthen your teeth. Avoid brushing for 30 minutes after eating to avoid damaging your enamel!

If your cravings start to impact your oral health, speak to your dentist about preventive treatments and other products containing calcium or fluoride which may offer you more targeted protection.

The Risks to You and Your Baby

Research has found a link between severe gum disease in pregnant women and premature birth with low birth weight. Babies who are born prematurely can have a risk of brain injury as well as problems with their eyesight and hearing.

Gum disease can be treated by a dentist during pregnancy. If you have gum problems during pregnancy, it’s important to get them checked by a dentist before you give birth. If not, you may develop ongoing gum disease.

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