Does Pregnancy Result in Tooth Loss? Myths, Truths, and Top Tips to Maintain a Healthy Smile

Pregnancy can cause an entire list of terrible side effects that just aren’t talked about enough, though that is getting better thanks to social media. Of course, when social media is the go-to way to learn new information (especially about pregnancy) you always need to take the shocking news with a grain of salt.

One of those shocking facts is that pregnancy causes tooth loss. It does cause hair loss, after all, so why not tooth loss as well?

The Myth

The good news is that the idea that teeth can fall out during pregnancy because your baby absorbs the calcium from your teeth is a myth. If it were true, your bones would also fall apart. Instead, your baby will only take the calcium it needs from your diet. If you don’t have enough calcium in your body for both you and your baby yes, you may have a calcium deficiency, but that alone won’t cause your teeth to fall out.

The Truth

Now, while you won’t lose teeth because your baby is siphoning away the calcium in your teeth, you can actually still lose teeth. This is because of a few reasons:

1. Risk of Gum Disease: Hormonal changes can cause gingivitis or progress periodontal diseases further, which puts your teeth, gums, and even wider health at risk.
2. Risk of Cavities: It isn’t just the hormonal changes that can make your teeth more susceptible to rotting. If you’ve increased your sugar intake (you do need the calories to make a baby, after all) then you increase the risk of cavities. Morning sickness (especially if you brush your teeth immediately after, since this just rubs the acid all over your teeth) can also wear away the enamel.
3. Risk of Tooth Loosening: In rare cases the increase in progesterone and estrogen can result in the muscles and bone holding your teeth in place to relax, causing loose teeth. While not normally a cause for concern, you are more likely to lose a tooth during this stage if there’s an accident.

How to Maintain a Healthy Smile

The good news is that there are many ways you can maintain a healthy smile, or fix it:

Get Dental Concerns Fixed ASAP

If you already have an issue like a cavity or even a sore tooth, then it’s important that you go and get it fixed immediately. This is because those issues are only expected to get worse through your pregnancy. If you don’t manage to go right away, however, don’t worry. Even if you lose a tooth, you can just go to the Washington Center for Dentistry to get a natural-looking, long-lasting dental implant to replace it. Stressing about it won’t do you any favors, but action will, and there’s always something you can do at any stage.

Know How to Care for Your Teeth

On top of regularly cleaning your teeth with a toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss, you’ll also want to adopt these top tips:

1. If you’re sick, rinse your mouth with water, but avoid brushing your teeth for around 30 minutes.
2. When brushing, be gentle. This prevents gum irritation.
3. If you have sugary snacks or drinks, aim to brush your teeth afterward to minimize the risk of cavities.
4. Book a dental appointment once every trimester to monitor your oral health.

Routine, of course, is the most important, so don’t forget to brush after every meal!