5 Surprising Truths About Dental Health During Pregnancy

Nov 20

More Than Just Cravings and Morning Sickness

When you're expecting, the focus is rightly on eating well, staying active, and attending regular prenatal check-ups. But there's another crucial aspect of prenatal care that often gets overlooked: your oral health. Many long-held beliefs about teeth and gums during pregnancy are simply myths. The science reveals surprising and vital connections between your oral health and the well-being of both you and your baby, making a trip to the dentist more important than ever.

1. Myth Debunked: You Don't "Lose a Tooth for Every Baby"

The popular belief that pregnancy leaches calcium from a mother's teeth to support the developing baby is not supported by scientific evidence. Studies confirm that teeth do not soften or lose significant minerals during pregnancy. The calcium and phosphate content of your teeth remains stable.

What does change is the environment inside your mouth. Increased acidity from morning sickness, changes in diet (like more frequent sugary cravings), and alterations in your saliva—specifically a decrease in pH, a lowered buffer effect, and reduced concentrations of calcium and phosphate, which are essential for remineralizing enamel—can increase your risk for tooth decay and enamel erosion. These environmental factors, not the pregnancy itself draining minerals from your teeth, are the real threat. The good news is that these risks are entirely manageable with consistent oral hygiene.

2. Going to the Dentist Isn't Just Safe—It's Recommended

Many expectant mothers, and even some healthcare providers, are hesitant about undergoing dental procedures during pregnancy. However, major health organizations like the American Dental Association (ADA) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) affirm that preventive, diagnostic, and restorative dental care is safe at any point during pregnancy.

ACOG provides this powerful and reassuring guidance:

"Conditions that require immediate treatment, such as extractions, root canals, and restoration (amalgam or composite) of untreated caries, may be managed at any time during pregnancy. Delaying treatment may result in more complex problems."

Concerns about X-rays and local anesthetics are also unfounded. The radiation dose from modern dental X-rays is extremely low—so low, in fact, that it is considered negligible and poses no risk to the developing baby. For this reason, both the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology no longer recommend the use of lead aprons, as they provide no additional protection. Local anesthetics like lidocaine are considered safe for both you and your baby, ensuring that necessary procedures can be performed comfortably and without risk.

3. "Pregnancy Gingivitis" Is More Than Just a Nuisance

"Pregnancy gingivitis" is an extremely common condition, affecting 60% to 75% of pregnant women. It’s an exaggerated inflammatory response to plaque, driven by hormonal changes, particularly increased estrogen and progesterone. Symptoms include gums that appear swollen, tender, dark red, and bleed easily during brushing or flossing.

While it may seem like a minor annoyance, it shouldn't be ignored. If left unmanaged, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, a more serious gum infection that breaks down the bone and tissues supporting the teeth. Research has shown an association between periodontitis in pregnant women and adverse outcomes like preterm birth and low birth weight. While studies have not proven that treating gum disease prevents these outcomes, the link itself underscores the importance of taking gum health seriously during this critical time.

4. "Pregnancy Tumors" Sound Scary, But They're Not Cancer

During pregnancy, some women—up to 5%—develop a growth on their gums known as a pyogenic granuloma, also called a "pregnancy tumor" or "epulis gravidarum." Despite the alarming name, this lesion is not cancer.

It is a benign, blood-vessel-rich growth that often has a raspberry-like appearance. These growths, which typically appear on the gums of the upper front teeth during the second trimester, are caused by a combination of hormonal changes and the body's response to local irritants like plaque. They bleed easily, and in most cases, shrink or disappear entirely on their own after delivery. Treatment during pregnancy is usually only considered if they cause significant bleeding or interfere with eating.

5. Your Oral Health Can Shape Your Child's Future Smile

One of the most compelling reasons to prioritize your oral health during pregnancy is the direct impact it has on your child. Mothers with high levels of cavity-causing bacteria, such as Streptococcus mutans, can transmit these bacteria to their infants through common, everyday behaviors like sharing spoons, cleaning a pacifier with their mouth, or kissing on the lips.

This connection reframes prenatal oral hygiene as one of the very first protective health measures a mother can take for her child. As ACOG highlights:

"Minimizing the number of cariogenic bacteria in pregnant mothers through good oral health may delay or prevent the onset of colonization of these bacteria in their infants, which results in less early childhood caries."

Conclusion: A Healthy Smile for Two

Oral health is an essential, safe, and proactive part of comprehensive prenatal care. The old myths have been replaced by scientific evidence that shows a clear connection between a mother's oral health and the well-being of both herself and her baby. By staying informed and maintaining good habits, you are not just caring for your own smile, but helping to build a healthy foundation for your child's.

Now that you know the facts, what's one simple step you'll take this week to prioritize your oral health? Share this post with a loved one that is expecting or may have questions about pregnancy and their dental health.

Sources:

1. Laine, M. A. Effect of pregnancy on periodontal and dental health. Acta Odontol Scand 2002;60:257–264.

2. American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology (AAOMR). AAOMR 2024 Pregnant Dental Imaging Flyer: Are Dental X-Rays Safe During Pregnancy? (Date inferred from filename and content).

3. Hemalatha VT, Manigandan T, Sarumathi T, Aarthi Nisha V, Amudhan A. Dental Considerations in Pregnancy: A Critical Review on the Oral Care. (Source documentation indicates acceptance March 03, 2013).

4. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), Committee on Health Care for Underserved Women. Oral Health Care During Pregnancy and Through the Lifespan. Committee Opinion No. 569. Obstet Gynecol 2013;122:417–22. (Reaffirmed 2025).

5. Silk H, Douglass AB, Douglass JM, Silk L. Oral Health During Pregnancy. Am Fam Physician. 2008;77(8):1139-1144.

6. Steinberg BJ, Hilton IV, Iida H, Samelson R. Oral Health and Dental Care During Pregnancy. Dent Clin N Am 2013;57:195–210.

9. American Dental Association (ADA). Pregnancy. (ADA Oral Health Topics, Last Updated July 14, 2025).

10. Mayo Clinic. Is it safe to have an X-ray during pregnancy? (Expert Answer, Published March 07, 2024).

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Gabriel Quiñones