During pregnancy, the body changes in many important ways to enable the growth of the baby. Some of these changes affect the mouth and can impact your dental health. It is important to be aware of the potential for disease risk caused by these changes and take measures to prevent them so that you can maintain a completely healthy mouth while you are pregnant.
Morning Sickness can Lead to Acid Erosion
One of the most dangerous conditions associated with pregnancy is hyperemesis, commonly referred to as “morning sickness.” This condition causes frequent, repeated vomiting, and though we call it morning sickness, it can occur any time of day throughout the entire pregnancy.
This condition can lead to extreme dehydration and even malnutrition for the pregnant mother. Specific to the mouth, it can cause severe damage to the teeth.
Constant vomiting is a risk factor for loss of tooth enamel through acid erosion. The stomach contains strong acids, which enter the mouth during vomiting. Enamel is the hardest substance in the human body, and it is susceptible to a type of chemical dissolving when exposed to strong acids. Acid erosion is a gradual wearing away of enamel and underlying dentin when acids dissolve the mineral structure of these hard tooth structures.
Enamel does not naturally rebuild itself. Once lost to erosion, it can only be replaced through expensive dental treatments. Loss of enamel from erosion can cause hypersensitivity of the teeth and discoloration, making the teeth look much yellower over time.
Increased Gag Reflex and Fatigue can Impair Oral Hygiene
For some pregnant patients, morning sickness does not cause frequent vomiting, but it does cause persistent feelings of nausea. For many, this includes a very sensitive gag reflex. When the gag reflex is hyperactive, it can be difficult to effectively brush and floss the teeth. Some patients report being unable to brush their teeth toward the back of the mouth without gagging.
Others experience extreme fatigue, which makes it difficult for some women to consistently perform oral hygiene tasks. They simply fall asleep before “getting ready for bed.”
During pregnancy, some women also find it difficult to add dental visits to an already-busy schedule of doctor’s appointments. This potential lack of professional dental care during pregnancy prevents you from recognizing warning signs of disease in its earliest stages and puts you at risk for dental problems.
Whatever the underlying reason for inconsistent oral hygiene, the results are the same. A lack of oral hygiene leads to greater plaque buildup on the teeth and gums. Increased plaque levels cause a high risk for gum disease and cavities.
Hormone Surges can Greatly Increase the Risk for Gingivitis
Many women suffer from a condition known as pregnancy-induced gingivitis. The hormone surges associated with pregnancy cause changes in blood flow throughout the body. This includes an increased blood flow to the tiny blood vessels in the gum tissues surrounding the teeth.
The gums become over-reactive to any irritation, which means that these tissues will have an exaggerated inflammatory response. Even minor amounts of plaque buildup can cause large, bulbous swelling of the gums with a bright red color, bleeding, and tenderness.
This inflammation can make brushing and flossing uncomfortable, which is a dangerous consequence. The brushing and flossing are necessary to remove the irritants that are causing the inflammation in the first place. When someone stops performing these tasks because they are uncomfortable, the inflammation worsens.
The risk for pregnancy-induced gingivitis is very prevalent among pregnant women, and dentists recommend more frequent professional teeth cleanings during pregnancy for this reason. The professional cleanings remove all bacterial buildup and irritation, fighting the inflammation as much as possible.
More Questions about Pregnancy and Dental Health? Call Rockland Dental Today!
Call Rockland Dental Specialists today at (845) 259-2500 or contact us to schedule a consultation with one of our dental experts. We can answer any question you have about how your pregnancy affects your dental health and assess your current situation. We will alert you of any warning signs of pregnancy-induced risk factors and give you tips to reverse them.
