Dental Problems During Pregnancy
As with so many other parts of your body, pregnancy affects your teeth, too. That’s why it’s so important to not only let your dentist know when you’re pregnant, but to visit them at least once or twice during your pregnancy. There are a few extra dental problems that can be caused by all the new hormones in your body.
- Pregnancy gingivitis: With more progesterone, your teeth are more likely to get gingivitis. The pregnancy-related changes in your immune system can inflame your gums, make them red and swollen, and you might even experience a little bleeding when you brush. This pregnancy gingivitis tends to disappear after the baby is born.
- Periodontal disease: Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is when there’s a bacterial infection in the pockets below the gum line, which can loosen your teeth. It’s more serious than just the regular pregnancy gingivitis, because it can affect the health of your baby. Gum disease in pregnant women can lead to a higher risk of early births and low birth weights.
- Pregnancy granuloma: A granuloma happens when there’s a nodular growth that bleeds along the upper line of your gums and crusts over. They’re not dangerous, more an uncomfortable nuisance, but will go away after the baby is born.
- Dry mouth: A decrease in saliva gives many pregnant women dry mouth. Dry mouth is caused by hormones, but can lead to other dental problems like periodontal disease or tooth decay, so it needs to be monitored.
- Erosion of tooth enamel: This is generally caused by morning sickness. The acid can wear down the enamel in both your back molars and the back of your front teeth.
Because the majority of these issues are caused by hormonal changes and aren’t always avoidable, they need to be frequently monitored. Make sure to visit Dr. Real during your pregnancy so he can help you keep an eye on your teeth, and suggest any treatments to help your teeth stay healthy. Call Dr. Real to make an appointment at (714) 525-2888.