Here’s Why Your Teeth Need Extra Care During Pregnancy

Okay, so everyone talks about prenatal vitamins, swollen feet, cravings, naps, and which stroller will make you look like that put-together mom at the park. All of this is much-needed advice, but it’s kind of generic, too, well, to a degree.  But like, hardly anyone mentions the part of pregnancy that’s not exactly cute or glam, which is, yeah, your mouth. Your teeth, gums, jaw, all of it. And it’s wild because your mouth really goes through it while growing a tiny human. 

Sure, you already know about the daily dental hygiene that you need to do for yourself, but it’s extra important when you’re pregnant. Honestly, most ladies don’t even get warned about it. At best, you might read comments or see TikTok videos of women subtly mentioning something about their mouth and teeth, and that’s usually as far as it goes. But there’s a few things you need to be alert for during pregnancy when it comes to your teeth. 

Pregnancy Hormones Affect Your Teeth Too

So, like, pregnancy hormones don’t just show up to make you cry because your toast burnt (or anything else on the planet). They show up in your mouth too, usually by the second (and definitely the third) trimester, you can usually expect bleeding and sensitive gums while brushing. Your gums are way more inflamed due to hormonal shifts. Oh, and so you know that old saying, “you lose a tooth for every baby”? Yeah, it’s a little too eerie, right? 

Well, it didn’t come out of thin air either. Your body prioritizes your baby, so if you’re low on minerals, that calcium is heading straight to the womb. Well, back-to-back pregnancies can hit your teeth harder, especially if your body hasn’t fully recovered. This is honestly one of the reasons why some moms end up needing things like dental implants or false teeth. It doesn’t always happen, but there can be the potential (not to scare you or anything).

There’s a Chance of Jaw Clenching

Few doctors or friends mention jaw clenching during pregnancy. It sneaks up without warning. Most symptoms hit like that—sudden and unexpected. Think morning sickness or fatigue; they arrive fast too. This one stems from hormone shifts. Your body ramps up progesterone and estrogen. These changes tighten muscles, including those in your jaw. You don’t grind your teeth on purpose. It often happens at night while you sleep. You wake with a sore jaw or headache. Some women notice worn tooth edges over time. It fades after birth. Hormones settle back to normal. Not every mom faces this. Studies show about one in three pregnant women deal with it. Stress from pregnancy can make it worse. Your body works hard to grow a baby. That extra load amps up tension. If it starts for you, check with your dentist. A night guard fits over teeth. It cushions them from clenching force. Wear it at bedtime. It prevents damage and eases pain. Talk to a pro for the right fit. Many find relief right away.

Your Teeth Might Actually Move Around

Why don’t midwives and OBGYNs warn women about this? Honestly, a lot of women only find out through their own experiences, reading comments online, or maybe a friend or a friendly member remarking on it. So, yeah, this can happen. Like, yeah, as if your body hasn’t changed enough. So, why does it happen? 

Well, everything can be blamed on hormones here (everything during pregnancy except the baby kicking your ribs, of course). Hormones can loosen ligaments, even the tiny ones holding your teeth in place, so they can shift a bit. Some people even notice old orthodontic issues creeping back.