Here’s how pregnancy can impact your oral health
Nobody really talks about it, but pregnancy can actually make your mouth more sensitive to gum disease.
But why, and what can you do about it? Thankfully, taking care of your oral health while pregnant is quite easy. Here’s everything you need to know.
How pregnancy can cause gingivitis
First, what is gingivitis?
Lots of people talk about gingivitis but everyone tends to assume that everyone else already knows what it is. Well, ‘gingivitis’ is another term for the early stages of gum disease, which may also be called periodontal disease.
Gum disease has a few stages, with the earliest causing symptoms such as:
Inflamed or tender gums
Bleeding gums
Receding gum lines
Bad breath
Tooth sensitivity
Loose or separated teeth
What causes gingivitis?
The cause of gum disease tends to be bacteria building up in the mouth.
When we let bacteria grow, it can form into a white substance known as plaque, which may then harden into tartar. Our gums often react to this infection by becoming inflamed and tender, perhaps bleeding. If plaque hardens into tartar, it can also push the gums away from our teeth which exposes little pockets or air – letting more bacteria in.
As you can guess, the problem tends to get worse if left untreated.
Learn more: “How to clean your gums and keep them healthy”
So what’s this got to do with pregnancy?
A lot of women complain about tender or bleeding gums during pregnancy. This is because there is a link between being pregnant and an increased risk in gum disease, a condition known as pregnancy gingivitis. In fact, according to the University of Adelaide, 70% of women experience pregnancy gingivitis!
But how can pregnancy affect your teeth so much? Let’s take a look.
Reason 1: Changing hormones
You’re growing a new life inside of you, and that changes the hormones in your body.
In particular, you’ll likely have fluctuating levels of oestrogen and progesterone, both important chemicals in the development of a baby. These hormone levels could be as high as 10 to 30 times more than where they sit during a regular menstrual cycle, reaching their peak by the third trimester of pregnancy.
The thing is, these hormones can increase the blood flow to your gums, which may make them more sensitive to plaque build-up. That means you’re potentially more likely to see symptoms such as inflammation, tenderness, and bleeding.
Bonus fact: Fluctuating hormones can also cause an increase in gum disease risk in teenagers going through puberty! Many of the same hormones are involved.
Reason 2: Morning sickness
We all already know how awful morning sickness can be. Your teeth feel the same way!
Vomiting is like a giant acid attack, and acids can wear down the enamel on teeth and make them more susceptible to decay. These factors combined mean that morning sickness caused by pregnancy indirectly increases the chance of having oral health problems.
Issues associated with morning sickness vomiting can be prevented, though. We’ll talk more about that below.
Reason 3: Increased food consumption
You have to watch your diet when pregnant, not just for the baby and your body but also your teeth.
Sugars and acids are both bad for tooth health, with sugar feeding bad bacteria in the mouth and acid – as mentioned – corroding enamel. If your increased appetite during pregnancy leads to more snacking of foods with these properties, this is another potential avenue for gum disease risk.
Other risks of pregnancy gingivitis
We’re about to get into some fast treatments for preventing and mitigating gum disease, but first we want to quickly talk about two other risks of pregnancy gingivitis – big reasons why you can’t let it go unchecked.
Premature labour and low birth weight
Scientists have found a link between periodontal disease and premature labour or low-birth-weight babies.
It is believed that bacteria which causes inflammation in the gums can get into the bloodstream and travel to a developing baby, which may cause birth problems down the track.
Permanent teeth damage
Once an adult has their full set of permanent teeth, there’s no backup. They must be looked after in order for you to maintain a healthy, happy smile for your entire life, and to avoid the sometimes excess cost of serious dental treatment.
Don’t let gum disease go unchecked – any permanent damage now could have pretty serious ramifications, but those problems are so preventable! It just takes some good oral hygiene now.
Six fast tips for preventing (and treating!) pregnancy gingivitis
1. Keep brushing those teeth!
One of the best ways to fight bacteria is to clean it out before it has a chance to really grow. So, that means brushing, brushing, brushing.
Brush twice a day for two minutes each time.
Don’t forget the backs of your teeth, and around behind your molars.
Try to brush your tongue and gum lines as well.
2. Consider a fluoride toothpaste
We know there’s a lot of debate out there about fluoride, but the science right now says that fluoride in toothpaste is a good thing!
Fluoride is a natural substance that has positive oral health properties, acting like a med-kit for your teeth. It can help fight bacteria and repair damage.
Not sure about it? That’s OK! Here are some links you can read to learn more:
Fluoride and oral health (Health.govt.nz)
Fluoride facts (Ministry of Health’s fluoridefacts.govt.nz)
3. Flossing and mouthwash also help
Flossing and using mouthwash regularly are great ways to keep your mouth clear of food particles and fight bacteria before it builds up.
You don’t need to floss all the time, but at least a few times a week (even once a day) is great.
As for mouthwash, you’ll want to make sure you’re using one that has antibacterial properties. You can buy these in supermarkets, or look for natural alternatives such as baking soda, tea tree oil and lemongrass.
4. Vomited? Rinse your mouth
If you do suffer from morning sickness vomiting, or vomiting for another reason, don’t let it sit in your mouth for too long. Try to rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash when you’re able to, as this can wash off the acid and reduce the harm.
Don’t brush your teeth! If you’ve just been sick, your enamel surface may have softened. Wait for around 30 minutes so it has time to recover.
Some people also suggest smearing a little fluoridated toothpaste over your teeth with a finger after rinsing.
5. Try to avoid constantly snacking
This one might be easier said than done if you’re feeling particularly snacky, but constantly snacking on foods – especially anything containing sugar or acid – means your mouth doesn’t have time to clean itself with your saliva.
If you know you’re going to want snacks between meals, try to set certain times of day to consume them so you’re not eating constantly. That way your mouth has time to recover between snacks.
Whenever you do eat, again especially anything sugary or acidic, consider rinsing your mouth with water afterwards.
6. Get checked regularly
Now’s the time to increase the frequency of those dental visits.
For most people, once or twice a year is great when it comes to seeing the dentist for a checkup. But, if you’re pregnant, because your risk is a little higher it’s best to come in more frequently – that way you can catch something early before it becomes a problem.
Once every three months would be ideal.
Need advice? Come see us at Kowhai Dental
Here at Kowhai Dental in Whangārei, we have a team of dental experts ready to help you through any oral health problems you might be worried about.
Additionally, we have a variety of payment options and plans to help Kiwi families like yours find great dental care no matter your budget.
Don’t hesitate to give us a call on 09 430 0707, book an appointment online, or pop in to see us on Maunu Road.