Pregnancy is a time when oral health requires special attention. Hormonal changes affect the condition of your teeth and gums, so proper hygiene becomes a priority. Find out how to care for your teeth effectively during pregnancy!

Why is oral hygiene during pregnancy so important?

Studies confirm a link between periodontal disease and pregnancy complications such as preterm birth, low birth weight, and preeclampsia [1]. Proper oral hygiene during pregnancy is not only about your comfort, but also your baby’s safety.

SEE ALSO: How to care for your teeth? 10 steps to a healthy smile and effective cavity prevention

Hormones and gum health

During pregnancy, hormones make the gums more sensitive. Blood flow increases, and the gums react more strongly to plaque (buildup). As a result, even a small amount of plaque can cause inflammation [2]. About 60-75% of expectant mothers experience so-called “pregnancy gingivitis,” with symptoms such as redness, swelling, and bleeding when brushing [3]. Regularly cleaning your teeth is key to healthy gums.

Common dental problems during pregnancy

Tooth sensitivity

Morning sickness and vomiting, common in the first trimester, increase acidity in the mouth. Stomach acids weaken enamel, leading to sensitivity and a greater risk of cavities. How can you strengthen your teeth during pregnancy? Use toothpaste with a high fluoride content (at least 1450 ppm) and one formulated for sensitive teeth [4]. Rinsing your mouth with water before brushing helps remove stomach acids.

Tooth decay

Many women change their eating habits during pregnancy, reaching for snacks, sweets, or acidic foods more often, and some experience cravings for unusual foods. These changes, combined with more frequent snacking and potentially less attention to oral hygiene (due to nausea or fatigue), create ideal conditions for cavities to develop. 

Additionally, increased saliva production with a changed composition can affect the pH balance in the mouth [5]. Regular dental checkups during pregnancy can help detect and stop the progression of cavities early. Remember that cavities in the mother increase the risk of dental problems for the child. [6]

Daily dental care during pregnancy

The table below shows key ways to care for your dental health during pregnancy:

Implementing these strategies significantly reduces the risk of dental problems during pregnancy.

Daily brushing and flossing are most important. During this time, we recommend using professional devices to help expectant mothers maintain oral hygiene during this demanding period. 

You can replace floss with a modern water flosser, ZENT® Stream+, which is gentler on the gums and reduces the risk of micro-injuries and bleeding. Daily brushing will be easier with the ZENT® SoniQ+ sonic rotary toothbrush with 60° rotation. Its simultaneous oscillation and vibrations remove plaque and bacteria more effectively than standard electric toothbrushes. The toothbrush also has preprogrammed movements characteristic of the Modified Bass toothbrushing technique, recommended by dentists worldwide. 

SEE ALSO: Which oral hygiene accessories should you choose – toothbrushes, floss, water flossers, or something more?

Dental visits during pregnancy

Regular checkups and treatment

Can you have dental treatment during pregnancy? Absolutely! It is recommended to have a dental checkup at least once every 6 months during pregnancy. The second trimester (weeks 14-28) is the best time for routine procedures, as organogenesis (the process of organ formation) is complete and the belly is not yet large enough to make lying in the dental chair uncomfortable. [7]

In emergencies such as pain, swelling, or infection, treatment is safe and necessary at any stage of pregnancy and should not be postponed. Untreated tooth and gum infections can be much more dangerous for the pregnancy and fetal development than the dental procedure itself. [8] 

Dental treatment is considered safe during pregnancy, but keep in mind that planning differs depending on the trimester [9]:

Regarding diagnosis and medications:

• X-rays – if necessary, they can be taken with special shielding over the abdomen, but this provides only minimal reduction and does not significantly affect health risks, especially with modern imaging techniques and low diagnostic doses [10],

• local anesthesia – medications such as lidocaine are safe to use during pregnancy [11],

• antibiotics – if needed, penicillin, amoxicillin, or cephalosporins can be used [12].

• painkillers – paracetamol is considered a safe pain reliever during pregnancy [13]. However, it should not be overused.

Remember to always tell your dentist if you're pregnant, even if you only suspect you might be. This will allow them to tailor your treatment plan and choose the safest procedures and medications.

Preventive care during pregnancy

Professional teeth cleaning is safe and strongly recommended during pregnancy. Regular removal of tartar and bacterial biofilm helps prevent gum inflammation, which—as we know—can worsen during pregnancy due to hormonal changes [14]. 

SEE ALSO: What are the health benefits of using a sonic toothbrush regularly?

A diet for healthy teeth during pregnancy

A proper diet during pregnancy is essential not only for the overall health of the mother and baby, but also for oral health. During pregnancy, the need for nutrients required to build and strengthen tooth tissue increases.

Key nutrients for dental health during pregnancy

Choose foods rich in calcium, vitamin D, and protein: dairy products, leafy green vegetables, nuts, sesame seeds, and fish such as sardines and salmon. These nutrients are essential for your baby's teeth to develop properly and for maintaining the mother's healthy teeth. 

Foods to avoid

Limit sweets and snacks between meals. Avoid carbonated drinks and acidic juices, which can weaken tooth enamel. Bacteria in the mouth use sugars to produce acids that lead to tooth decay.

Staying hydrated

Drink plenty of water to keep your mouth properly hydrated and neutralize bacterial acids. Staying hydrated also supports saliva production, which naturally protects teeth from bacteria.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

Can you whiten your teeth during pregnancy?

It's best to postpone teeth whitening until after pregnancy. Although it has not been proven harmful, doctors recommend caution.

Does pregnancy cause tooth loss?

That's a myth! The saying “one child – one tooth” has no scientific basis. Proper hygiene helps keep your teeth healthy.

When should you tell your dentist you're pregnant?

Always, even if you only suspect you might be pregnant. This will allow your treatment plan to be tailored to your situation.

Taking care of your teeth during pregnancy is an investment in your health and your baby's. Regular brushing, flossing, a healthy diet, and checkups are essential. Most dental procedures are safe during pregnancy, and early treatment helps prevent serious complications. Your smile deserves care!

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REFERENCES:

[1] Daalderop LA, et al. (2017). Periodontal Disease and Pregnancy Outcomes: Overview of Systematic Reviews. JDR Clinical and Translational Research, 2(1), 10-27.

[2] Raju K, et al. (2021). Periodontology and pregnancy: An overview of biomedical and epidemiological evidence. Periodontology 2000, 87(1), 7-15.

[3] Gare J, et al. (2023). Prevalence, Severity of Extension, and Risk Factors of Gingivitis in a 3-Month Pregnant Population: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 12(5), 1923.

[4] Griebel-Thompson AK, et al. (2023). A Scoping Review of Iodine and Fluoride in Pregnancy in Relation to Maternal Thyroid Function and Offspring Neurodevelopment. Advances in Nutrition, 14(3), 561-574.

[5] Mbembela O, et al. (2023). Biochemical Changes in Salivary pH and Its Correlation to Hemoglobin Levels, Calcium and Phosphate Ion Concentrations among Pregnant Women, Tanzania: A Cross-Sectional Study. Oral, 3(2), 177-187.

[6] Thearawiboon S, et al. (2024). Risk of Early Childhood Caries Estimated by Maternal Dental Caries during Pregnancy: A Retrospective Cohort Study. European Journal of Dentistry, 18(1), 97-104.

[7] Aftabi Binte Islam N, et al. (2024). Pregnancy-related dental problems: A review. Heliyon, 10(5), e26825.

[8] Favero V, et al. (2021). Pregnancy and Dentistry: A Literature Review on Risk Management during Dental Surgical Procedures. Dentistry Journal, 9(4), 46.

[9] Yenen Z, et al. (2018). Oral care in pregnancy. Journal of the Turkish German Gynecological Association, 20(4), 264-268.

[10] Mattsson S, et al. (2021). X-Ray and Molecular Imaging During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding—When Should We Be Worried? Radiation Protection Dosimetry, 195(3-4), 372-377.

[11] Zhou X, et al. (2023). Physiology of pregnancy and oral local anesthesia considerations. PeerJ, 11, e14479.

[12] Hodosan V, et al. (2022). Pattern of Antibiotic Use in the Perinatal Period in a Public University Hospital in Romania. Medicina, 58(2), 161.

[13] AlSaeed M, et al. (2021). Assessing the Knowledge of Analgesic Drugs Utilization during Pregnancy among Women in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(11), 5987.

[14] Geurs N, et al. (2023). A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial of Prenatal Oral Hygiene Education in Pregnancy-Associated Gingivitis. Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health, 9.