Pregnancy is a time for women to take extra care of their bodies, eating habits, and oral practices. With so many things going on, dental care is something that’s usually put aside.

But this shouldn’t be the case.

Pregnant women need to be conscious of dental issues as they could consequentially pass on health issues to their babies.

In this post, we will highlight 5 dental issues to watch out for during pregnancy.  

Tooth Decay or Cavities

Pregnant women are likely to experience tooth decay—or the weakening of teeth and formation of cavities—during pregnancy.

There are some habits women tend to adopt during this period. One such habit is frequent snacking.

They tend to snack on sugary foods, which are a risk factor for cavities and tooth decay. Sugary food particles react with bacteria found in the plaque to form an acid. The resulting acid eats away enamel, weakening the tooth and creating cavities. 

Pregnant women are also likely to increase their starch intake, which can increase their risk of gestational diabetes as well as the risk of developing tooth decay during pregnancy.

Poor eating habits and a high bacterial load associated with tooth decay and cavities may be passed to the unborn child during pregnancy.  

Teeth Shifting

One of the most common dental issues that pregnant women experience is tooth shifting. The teeth may move so much to the extent that your bite is affected.

Teeth shifting, however, is a normal thing when a woman is pregnant, so there’s no need for you to freak out.

During pregnancy, the bones and ligaments in your mouth may loosen, causing the teeth to wiggle. This condition doesn’t directly put you at a high risk of losing a tooth. But it is advisable to bring this issue to a dentist.

One of the things that your dentist may do to help prevent teeth shifting at the beginning of a pregnancy is to give you aligners or invisible braces.

Gingival Hyperplasia

Hormonal changes or rising hormone levels when a woman is pregnant may lead to gingival hyperplasia.

This is a condition that causes the enlargement of the gums or gingiva. Gum enlargement may be associated with a disease or a condition, but it can also happen during pregnancy. The enlargement of the gum tissue may also be caused by certain drugs or poor oral hygiene.

Gingival hyperplasia makes the gums puffy and painful. This may increase the risk of gingivitis and cavities during pregnancy.

Pregnancy Gingivitis

When you are pregnant, you are likely to have swollen, red, or bleeding gums. This is a dental issue that affects 60 to 70 percent of pregnant women and is well-known as gingivitis.

Hormonal changes during pregnancy make gum tissue more sensitive to plaque (sticky bacteria found on teeth). This condition increases the risk of getting pregnancy gingivitis or inflammation of the gums. Progesterone is the number one cause of pregnancy gingivitis.

This ailment could turn into something more serious, such as periodontal disease. In this case, bacteria creeps below the gum line of a pregnant woman, causing an infection in the bone. This could lead to tooth loss if left untreated. 

Periodontal disease can affect the immune system of a pregnant woman and it can hurt your overall health. It can cause preterm birth and low birth weight.

Sensitive Teeth

If you experience pain when brushing or flossing, you may have a common dental issue called sensitive teeth or dentin hypersensitivity.

This normally happens at the chewing surface of a tooth or the gum line. It can happen when the gum tissue around the tooth recedes. 

The common causes of dentin hypersensitivity during pregnancy are hormonal changes, increased blood flow, and gum disease. Hormonal changes may cause periodontal infection, resulting in sensitive teeth. Gum disease (pregnancy gingivitis and gingival hyperplasia) can also cause sensitive teeth.

To help reduce discomfort, a dentist may recommend toothpaste for dentin hypersensitivity. Also, eat healthy food to avoid hurting your teeth any further.  

Should You Book a Dentist Appointment?

During pregnancy, some women may forget the importance of their oral health. That’s why we recommend you book a dentist appointment as soon as you find out you are pregnant. A dentist can help keep your mouth healthy, while you focus on keeping your baby healthy. You will be reminded of the importance of oral care, such as brushing, flossing, and eating healthy foods.