Summary
- Pregnancy can lead to dental problems in some women.
- Caring for teeth during pregnancy is important for the mother and baby’s health.
- Visit the dentist during pregnancy for a check-up.
- It’s safe to visit the dentist during pregnancy.
About pregnancy and teeth
Pregnancy does not cause poor mouth health and damage to teeth. But changes in lifestyle, habits and body processes may increase your risk of dental problems during pregnancy.
Brushing teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and visiting your dentist will help keep your teeth and gums as healthy as possible during pregnancy.
Some dental problems can affect a developing 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, and problems with their eyesight and hearing.
Gum disease can be treated by a dentist during pregnancy.
Looking after your teeth before pregnancy
You’re less likely to have dental problems during pregnancy if you look after your teeth and gums before you are pregnant. You can do this by:
- Brushing your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
- Cleaning between your teeth with floss or interdental brushes once a day.
- Eating a healthy diet and limiting food and drinks high in added sugar.
- Avoiding tobacco products and minimising alcohol. It’s advised not to drink alcohol during pregnancy, and tobacco products should be avoided at all times.
- Visiting 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. If you need dental treatment during pregnancy, non-urgent procedures can often be performed after the first trimester.
Always tell your dentist if you are pregnant
Dentists will take extra precautions when they know you’re pregnant 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 both safe during pregnancy. However, if you have concerns, speak to your dentist so they discuss your individual needs and options.
You can see the dentist at any stage of your pregnancy. Some women 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.
Causes of dental health problems
Common causes of dental health problems during pregnancy can include:
- hormone changes
- vomiting
- cravings for sugary foods
- gagging while brushing teeth.
Hormone changes and gum problems
Pregnancy hormones can make some women be at risk of gum problems including:
- gingivitis (inflammation of the gum) – this is likely to occur during the second trimester. Symptoms include swelling of the gums and bleeding, mostly during brushing and when flossing between teeth
- periodontal disease – infection of the structures supporting the tooth (gums, ligament and bone). It’s 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 you have gum problems during pregnancy, it’s important to get them checked by a dentist before you give birth. While most types of gum problems caused by pregnancy hormones resolve after birth, a small number of women may develop ongoing gum disease that will need treatment after pregnancy.
If your gums bleed, don’t stop cleaning your teeth. Continue to use a soft-headed toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste to brush at least twice a day and clean between your teeth with floss or interdental brushes.
Vomiting can damage teeth
Pregnancy hormones soften the ring of muscle that keeps food inside the stomach. Gastric reflux (regurgitating food or drink) or the vomiting associated with morning sickness can cover your teeth with strong stomach acids. Repeated reflux and vomiting can damage the surface of the tooth (the enamel) and increase the risk of decay.
Try these suggestions if you’re experiencing vomiting:
- Avoid brushing your teeth immediately after vomiting. While the teeth are covered in stomach acids, the actions of brushing may scratch the tooth enamel.
- Rinse your mouth thoroughly with plain tap water.
- Follow up with a mouthwash containing fluoride.
- If you don't have a fluoridated mouthwash, put a blob of toothpaste containing fluoride on your finger and smear it over your teeth. Rinse thoroughly with water.
- Wait for an hour after vomiting before you brush.
If you experience recurrent severe vomiting, speak to your doctor or obstetrician about other strategies to manage your symptoms.
Retching or gagging while brushing teeth
Some pregnant women find that brushing their teeth, particularly the back teeth, can cause gagging. However, it’s important to brush all of your teeth to avoid tooth decay.
Some tips to help prevent gagging include:
- Use a toothbrush with a small soft head, such as a brush made for toddlers.
- Take your time. Go slowly when you brush.
- It may help to close your eyes and concentrate on your breathing.
- Try listening to music.
- If the taste of the toothpaste causes you to gag, switch to another brand. Or brush your teeth with water and then use a mouthwash containing fluoride. Go back to brushing with toothpaste containing fluoride as soon as you can.
Food cravings while pregnant
Some women have unusual food cravings while pregnant. If you have cravings for sugary snacks, it’s best to avoid them as it may increase your risk of tooth decay. Try to snack on foods low in added sugar instead.
If nothing but sweetness will satisfy your craving, try to sometimes choose healthier options, such as fresh fruit. Rinse your mouth with mouthwash containing fluoride or brush your teeth after having sugary snacks. If your cravings continue, speak to your dentist about preventive treatments and other products containing calcium or fluoride which may offer you more targeted protection.
Increase your calcium during pregnancy
During pregnancy, you will need to increase the amount of calcium you eat or drink to protect your bones and the needs of your developing baby.
Good sources of calcium include:
- milk, cheese and plain yoghurt or sugar-free fruit yoghurt
- calcium-fortified soy, almond or other types of milk, cheese and yoghurt if you can’t have dairy (choose products low in added sugar)
- some types of nuts such as almonds.
Increase your vitamin D during pregnancy
Vitamin D helps the body to utilise calcium. Small amounts of sun exposure can help to support vitamin D levels. Take care not to get sunburnt.
Good food sources of vitamin D include:
- fatty fish, such as salmon, herring and mackerel (discuss with your doctor how much of the types of fish you can safely have during pregnancy)
- eggs
- margarine
- vitamin D fortified milk (and alternatives)
- breads and cereals.
If you’re not getting enough vitamin D from your diet, you can take supplements – ask your doctor or obstetrician if you need to take a vitamin D supplement.
What are signs and symptoms of dental problems during pregnancy?
If you have any signs or symptoms of dental problems, call your dentist or ask your prenatal provider to refer you for dental care. Signs of a condition are things someone else can see or know about you, like you have a rash or you’re coughing. Symptoms are things you feel yourself that others can’t see, like having a sore throat or feeling dizzy.
Signs and symptoms of dental problems include:
- Bad breath
- Loose teeth
- Mouth sores or lumps on the gums
- New spaces between your teeth
- Receding gums (when your gums pull away from your teeth so you can see roots of your teeth) or pus along your gumline (where your gums meet your teeth)
- Gums that are red, swollen, tender or shiny; gums that bleed easily
- Toothache or other pain
If you have pain or swelling, call your dentist right away. If you have an infection, you need quick treatment to help prevent problems for your baby.
How can you prevent dental problems during pregnancy?
Get regular dental checkups before and during pregnancy. At your checkups, tell your dentist:
- If you’re pregnant or planning to get pregnant
- About any medicine you take. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, supplements and herbal products.
- If your pregnancy is high-risk. High-risk means that you, your baby or both of you are at increased risk for problems during pregnancy. Your pregnancy may be high-risk if you have a chronic health condition, you have complications from a previous pregnancy or you have other conditions that can harm your health or the health of your baby.
- If your prenatal care provider has talked to you about your oral health
Dental checkups before and during pregnancy are important so your dentist can find and treat dental problems early. Regular teeth cleanings help keep your teeth and gums healthy.