If you are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant, now is the time to pay extra attention to your teeth and gums. You may have heard these two common myths about pregnancy: “You lose a tooth for every pregnancy you have” and “If you don’t get enough calcium during your pregnancy, your body takes it from your teeth.” Both are false. The calcium your baby needs is provided by your diet, not your teeth. If dietary calcium is lacking, however, your body provides the mineral from your bones.
Tooth loss often is the result of tooth decay or periodontal (gum) disease—not pregnancy. Tooth decay results from repeated acid attacks on tooth enamel. It begins with plaque, a film of bacteria that constantly forms on teeth. The bacteria transform sugars and starch found in most foods and beverages into harmful acids.
Plaque can irritate gums, making them red, tender and likely to bleed. This condition, called gingivitis, can lead to more serious gum diseases. Women with previously healthy smiles may notice that their gums become swollen or inflamed or bleed during pregnancy. This condition, sometimes called “pregnancy gingivitis,” results from changing hormone levels. It is plaque, however, not hormone levels, that is the major cause of gum disease.
