ALICIA Hebner was 21 and just had given birth to her first daughter when she started losing her adult teeth.
“That’s when I noticed my teeth starting to hurt more, being more sensitive,” she told today.com. “They were getting yellow really fast. And they felt like they were getting soft really fast.”
Soon afterwards, she lost two teeth within two weeks of each other.
In each of her four pregnancies, she started to lose more teeth. “Every pregnancy I’ve had, I’ve lost teeth.”
What didn’t fall out was extracted. “During the years between the pregnancies, I don’t really remember my teeth doing much other than crumbling and falling apart.”
It’s called pregnancy gingivitis or gum disease which is experienced by seven in 10 during pregnancy, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy may lead to loose gums and consequently loose teeth.
When teeth appear to be decayed or loose and gum are red, swollen and tender, these are signs of pregnancy gingivitis. Loose teeth move and may even get detached from the gums.
Then it’s time to visit the dentist.
Hormone changes are normal, experienced during puberty, menopause and certainly during pregnancy. And they affect the gums.
It may not be as severe as losing all your teeth, but pregnancy gingivitis happens. And then it becomes a dental issue.
It gets worse if you already have oral health problems like pre-existing gum disease or tooth decay. The good news is that while there is nothing one can do with hormonal changes, one can at least manage oral health.
And that means taking care of your teeth, like brushing your teeth at least twice a day or after each meal. Avoiding sugary and starchy foods. And going to a dentist for a check-up at least twice a year.
Going to a dentist regularly means one can have general oral health under the care of a professional. This way, the dentist can detect at an early stage where one has gum disease, or a potential tooth decay and cavity problem and so on.
As for Ms. Hebner, 2.4 million of her followers on TikTok are inspired to treat their teeth and gums as essential to general well-being and health.
For example, pregnant women are inspired to go on balanced diets with more fruits and vegetables.
And in one of TikTok episodes, Ms. Hebner recommends that pregnant women visit the dentist early in their pregnancy and as often as required.
“If you want to start a family, focus on all those positive things, all those good things,” Ms. Hebner told today.com. “No matter what happens health-wise … Having children far outweighs anything that could happen.”
***
Dr. Joseph D. Lim is the former Associate Dean of the College of Dentistry, University of the East; former Dean, College of Dentistry, National University; Past President and Honorary Fellow of the Asian Oral Implant Academy; Honorary Fellow of the Japan College of Oral Implantologists; and Honorary Life Member of the Thai Association of Dental Implantology. For questions on dental health, e-mail jdlim2008@gmail.com or text 0917-8591515./PN
