Why do pregnant women lose teeth?

We all know that women's bodies will undergo great changes during pregnancy, especially the various hormones in the body will undergo great changes, which can easily lead to the occurrence of some symptoms. Among them, tooth loss in pregnant women is a relatively common phenomenon, but it always makes inexperienced women particularly worried, fearing that it will affect the health of the baby. Let's understand why pregnant women lose their teeth.

Why do pregnant women lose teeth?

Cause 1. Hormonal changes

During pregnancy, hormonal changes in the body cause a decrease in saliva secretion, which changes the oral environment. The ability to kill bacteria and neutralize pH decreases, irritating the gums and promoting the growth of tooth decay bacteria and periodontal disease bacteria. The gums are very sensitive to the stimulation of bacteria in the mouth, causing chronic inflammation of the gums and making them more prone to tooth decay, which greatly increases the chances of pregnant mothers developing dental diseases. If the condition is severe, tooth decay and periodontal disease may occur.

Reason 2. Changes in eating habits and increased frequency of eating

During pregnancy, pregnant mothers have an increased demand for food and eat more and more frequently, especially for acidic or sweet foods. For example, the frequency of eating and the intake of sugary foods such as fruit juice, candy, and desserts increase, which increases the chances of sweet and sticky foods and fruit acids remaining in the mouth, easily causing tooth decay and tooth sensitivity, and the accumulation of dental plaque in the mouth will also increase.

Reason 3. Pregnancy reaction? Morning sickness

During pregnancy, pregnant mothers will experience morning sickness, vomiting and acid reflux. The vomited acidic substances can easily cause tooth decalcification. If the mouth is not rinsed in time, stomach acid will corrode the tooth surface and cause tooth decay.

Reason 4: Failure to properly clean the oral cavity

Under the condition of adverse congenital and acquired environment, if the pregnant mother does not increase the frequency of brushing her teeth, or does not have good teeth cleaning habits, it is easy to develop dental diseases or make the original problems worse. Tooth decay, gingivitis, periodontal disease, etc. are common dental problems during pregnancy, and some pregnant mothers will overreact to dental plaque, causing the gums to swell and form pregnancy gingivitis.

The relationship between periodontal disease and premature birth

Periodontal disease is a very common chronic disease. It is caused by long-term infection of periodontal tissues, which leads to unstable tooth roots, tooth loss, periodontal suppuration, gingivitis, gingival edema, bleeding, or odor.

Decades of medical research have found that unhealthy teeth are actually a precursor to heart disease! After related studies found that cardiovascular disease is related to periodontal disease, people gradually realized that beautiful teeth are not only beautiful, but also a proof of health. A 1991 epidemiological study found that pregnant women with severe periodontal disease are more likely to have premature births. Subsequent studies have found that periodontal disease is related to small fetuses, and even to high blood pressure and miscarriage.

The above is an introduction to why pregnant women lose their teeth. After understanding the cause, we can better prevent this phenomenon. Women must pay more attention to their oral hygiene during pregnancy. In addition, they must do regular prenatal examinations during pregnancy, and consult a doctor in time when they feel unwell.