Breaking teeth during pregnancy

Breaking a tooth during pregnancy seems like a scary problem. By causing this problem, you may also experience bleeding gums during this period; but do not worry! By knowing only a few things, you can reduce your dental problems during this period.

But first, congratulations! We hope you and your child have a happy and healthy life

To answer one of your many questions about dental problems during pregnancy, we must say that your baby does not weaken your overall health. However, you should not forget that you are forming a human being in your body, and this is not an easy task. You also experience hormonal changes during pregnancy. Naturally, you need essential nutrients, vitamins, minerals, more careful dental care, and dental visits for your and your baby’s health.

Why do my teeth break during pregnancy?

During the first trimester of pregnancy, pregnant women can eat carbohydrates and acidic foods. After satisfying their cravings, they may neglect or forget their oral hygiene. But as a result of pregnancy hormones, you experience a period with sensitive teeth. This particular period makes the gums more sensitive to irritation and causes the gums to bleed which eventually leads to pregnancy gingivitis. This issue can, even unconsciously, discourage pregnant women from brushing their teeth.

Not brushing the teeth causes bacterial plaque and this causes the teeth to break during pregnancy and eventually decay and lose them. Losing teeth not only affects the health of your teeth and mouth during this period, but it can also cause you to give birth prematurely.

Breaking tooth enamel during pregnancy

It is reported that in 70% of pregnancies, mothers have experienced nausea and vomiting. This can also lead to the deterioration of your dental health. When you feel nauseous, your mouth is flooded with saliva, which is full of amylase (an enzyme that helps digest carbohydrates by breaking them down into sugar and acid). When you vomit, the acid in your stomach also moves to your mouth.

Stomach acid can destroy tooth enamel. Because of morning sickness, you may experience excessive vomiting at this time of day. Tooth enamel can regenerate itself with the help of minerals and fluoride. That is why you should take care of your oral and dental hygiene as well as your diet. Otherwise, you may suffer tooth enamel wear and indirectly tooth decay.

How do the hormonal changes of pregnancy affect the teeth?

During pregnancy, your levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone increase. This leads to gum sensitivity. If you do not follow your dental hygiene completely, you can see the accumulation of plaque. Plaque build-up later causes bleeding gums. This gum disease is called pregnancy gingivitis.

Pregnant women can often see pyogenic granulomas (tumors of pregnancy) because of these conditions. Your pregnancy gingivitis should improve after delivery. If this does not happen, you may need to have them surgically removed. Contact your dentist in Mississauga for the necessary interventions after delivery.

Smoking and drinking alcohol during pregnancy

Smoking is a bad and unhealthy habit for both pregnant and non-pregnant people. Smoking has no health benefits. There are about 4,000 chemicals in cigarette smoke. Most of them have toxic effects like acids and carbon monoxide. These chemicals not only affect the oxygenation of the fetus and the mother’s organs but also hurt the health of the mouth and teeth, especially the gums.

Your gums are now more sensitive to irritation due to pregnancy hormones. Smoking damages the gums more and indirectly affects the health of the fetus. Not only does this damage your gums and fetus, but it can also lead to premature birth, stillbirth, and early or late infant death.

Studies show that when pregnant rats are given alcohol, their pups have smaller teeth, delayed tooth eruption, and damage to their enamel structure. Alcohol directly affects the health of the liver and mouth, and this will also affect the health of the child in a bad way.

Toothache during pregnancy

Things that your oral health and teeth face during pregnancy and their consequences can cause pain in your teeth. These cases can include vomiting, gingivitis, dental plaque, and other problems that were not resolved before pregnancy. These problems cause tooth enamel to weaken. Weakened enamel is a cause of sensitivity and erosion of teeth and cavities. You should take extra precautions to prevent toothache from breaking out. Remember, your dental health can affect your child’s health now or in the future.

If you have toothache during pregnancy, consult your dentist. If there is no need for immediate action in this case, you can ask your dentist to prescribe pain relievers suitable for pregnant women.

Is dental anesthesia safe during pregnancy?

Yes, local anesthetics such as lidocaine and prilocaine can be safely used for dental procedures during pregnancy. However, during the first trimester of pregnancy, you should postpone non-urgent dental treatments, as they may harm the baby during the organogenesis stage (the stage when the baby’s organs are developing). If your fetus is damaged at this stage through unnecessary dental treatments that can cause further harm, it may result in an incomplete miscarriage (the baby is no longer alive, but still in the womb).

If your teeth are in critical condition and avoiding treatment can do more harm than any dental treatment, you and your dentist should take immediate action.

How should I protect my teeth during pregnancy?

To prevent your teeth from breaking during pregnancy, you should follow a regular oral hygiene routine and a regular dental appointment schedule. As mentioned above, pregnancy hormones can affect your gums and cause bacterial plaque to form. This makes your oral health more vulnerable. Therefore, if you are not yet pregnant but are planning to become pregnant, be sure to visit your dentist for an examination to rule out any periodontal disease or unknown dental problems.

You should brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day. Because of morning sickness, you should rinse your mouth with mouthwash or water mixed with a teaspoon of baking soda to reduce the acid level in your mouth and around your teeth. You can also use acid-neutralizing toothpaste for more dental care. Another solution is to use warm salt water. This solution helps to reduce the acid level in the mouth and leads to relaxation of the gums and reducing their sensitivity.

What supplements should I use to protect my teeth during pregnancy?

As we mentioned earlier, you are forming a human in your body and you need extra energy. But where do you get your energy from? Food! But not all types of food are good for you. We know that some unhealthy foods are tempting, but you should avoid them as much as possible during pregnancy. You need nutrients and energy more than sugary foods and fast foods.

Your daily calcium intake should be 1200-1500 mg. You can achieve this by consuming calcium-rich foods such as dairy products and green vegetables. If you don’t get enough calcium, your baby will feed off your bones to grow. This issue can cause the mother to suffer from bone loss. Don’t forget, that your teeth are also bones and they need calcium. Inadequate intake of calcium may lead to tooth breakage during pregnancy.

Sugar and protein

While paying attention to calcium consumption, you should try to avoid sugar consumption. Especially when you are snacking. We all know how sugar affects teeth negatively. Eat healthy and sweet fruits instead! And don’t underestimate your prenatal vitamins.

You should eat meat, fish, and eggs to provide the protein you need during this period. Suppose you are vegan or vegetarian and have no health problems for yourself or your baby. In that case, you can get the necessary nutrients, minerals, and vitamins with a vegetarian or vegan diet. However, you will need a lot of help with these diets to get the right amount of nutrients. It is recommended to consult a specialist for a planned and healthy diet.

How often should I visit the dentist during pregnancy?

The second trimester of pregnancy is the best time to receive dental interventions. There are some procedures that you cannot do in the third trimester of pregnancy, such as root canals or nerve extractions. In the third trimester, prolonged sitting in a dental chair can cause inferior vena cava syndrome. Although your dentist will help you get comfortable in the chair, most procedures can be difficult or dangerous in the third trimester because you can’t lie in the chair normally.