During pregnancy, a woman’s body undergoes many changes as it prepares for the birth of her baby. These changes affect various aspects, including oral health, causing 85% of pregnant women to suffer from oral problems.
Another problem that can occur during pregnancy is halitosis or bad breath . We explain why it happens and how you can treat it.
Bad breath in pregnancy: why it happens
Halitosis is an unpleasant breath odor that especially affects the adult population (although children can also suffer from it), and can occur in pregnancy. In fact, it is one of the embarrassing discomforts that we can suffer at this stage, such as sweating.
Bad breath in pregnancy can be caused by various factors , such as poor digestion, heartburn, changes in the composition of saliva and also the typical nausea that can be accompanied by vomiting.
In pregnancy, for example, it is common to frequently feel dry mouth , which can lead to the production of bacteria in this area, causing bad breath and increasing the risk of cavities.
Other oral problems such as gingivitis or inflamed gums, caused by increased blood flow during pregnancy, can also increase or worsen bad breath.
Similarly, problems related to breathing during rest, such as sleep apnea or snoring, can lead to bad breath by causing the mouth to open while we sleep , making it difficult to produce saliva and increase dryness.
How to treat bad breath during pregnancy
The most important thing you should do to prevent and treat bad breath is to take care of your oral health, which also includes what you eat and the way you take care of your teeth.
Some of the things you can do to reduce and prevent bad breath are:
- Brush your teeth after every meal. Brushing should be gentle so as not to hurt your gums, and thorough to cover all areas of the oral cavity, including the tongue.
- If the smell or taste of the toothpaste makes you nauseous, use a paste with a mild flavor and odor , there are some specific ones that are quite neutral and without foaming agents, although it is possible that, among the usual ones, there are some that do not cause you repulsion.
- If you can’t tolerate any toothpaste, try brushing without toothpaste, which would at least effectively reduce plaque. If it is the brush that is bothering you, you can try rubbing your teeth with gauze or your finger, perhaps with a little paste.
- Avoid caffeine consumption (which is already known to be unsafe during pregnancy) and limit sodas and sugary drinks.
- Eat a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables.
- Visit the dentist at least once throughout the pregnancy.
Bad breath is common during pregnancy, but it is important to seek help or see a doctor if it does not disappear or if it increases even when following the measures to prevent and treat it, because in some cases bad breath could be caused by other oral problems that they need special attention.
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