Pregnancy Teeth: Why Your Smile Changes Forever After Baby (And How to Stop It)

"The baby took all my calcium." It's what your mother told you, what her mother told her. And while it's not exactly true, pregnancy does change your teeth – sometimes permanently. But it doesn't have to.

What actually happens during pregnancy. Hormones surge, especially progesterone and oestrogen. Your gums become extra sensitive to plaque – even small amounts cause swelling, bleeding, and inflammation. This is pregnancy gingivitis, and it affects 60-75% of pregnant women. Left untreated, it becomes periodontal disease. The cravings don't help. Sugary foods at odd hours. Acidic citrus fruits you suddenly can't resist. Carbohydrates you never wanted before. Each craving feeds the bacteria waiting in your mouth. And if morning sickness has you vomiting? That stomach acid erodes enamel directly.

Here's the part nobody tells you. Gum disease during pregnancy is linked to premature birth and low birth weight. The inflammation in your mouth releases chemicals that can trigger early labour. Protecting your teeth isn't vanity – it's protecting your baby.

The timing is cruel. First trimester: morning sickness makes brushing unbearable. Second trimester: hormones peak and gums respond. Third trimester: lying back in a dental chair feels impossible. There's always a reason to skip dental care, and every skipped visit costs you.

What your mother blamed on "the baby" was actually preventable. Calcium isn't pulled from your teeth for the baby – it comes from your bones and diet. The tooth loss associated with pregnancy comes from untreated gum disease and decay that accelerated during nine months of neglect. Multiple pregnancies, multiple rounds of damage.

Second trimester is your window. Morning sickness has usually passed. You can still lie comfortably. Cleanings and fillings are completely safe. This is when you should be seeing your dentist – not avoiding them.

The protection protocol. Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, even if it triggers nausea. Rinse with water after vomiting – don't brush for 30 minutes while enamel is softened. Floss daily because your gums need it more than ever. Get a professional cleaning in your second trimester.

Your smile shouldn't be the price of motherhood. Book your pregnancy dental check at Smilez Dental Surgery. Call us us at 013 692 8249. Tell us your due date – we'll time your care perfectly. Because your baby needs a healthy mother, and that includes her teeth.