bad breath pregnancy

Bad Breath During Pregnancy: Causes, And Treatment


Pregnancy is one of the most memorable and exciting phases of life. But it also gives rise to several health issues, and complications. One of them is bad breath. This can bring a lot of embarrassment to you especially in public setting

As bad breath originates from mouth, it requires you to perform measures to ensure oral hygiene. Regular dental check-ups, and consultation with your dentist will help you treat the problem effectively. Let us learn about the causes of bad breath and ways to treat it.


Is it normal to experience Bad Breath In Pregnancy?

Bad breath originates from the air-filled cavities or mouth that includes nose, pharynx, and sinuses. This problem is quite common in pregnant women. It happens due to volatile sulfur compounds that are produced by bacteria in the oral cavity.

Causes behind bad breath in pregnancy

Below are the main reasons that leads to bad breath during pregnancy.

Changes in hormone: Pregnancy causes an increase in hormones in the body that can be one of the reasons behind fowl breath. The increase, and decrease in the production of estrogen, and progesterone leads to formation of plaque in the teeth. This ultimately results in bad breath.

Lifestyle changes: During pregnancy you may feel hunger pangs at frequent intervals of time. Recurrent eating at night, and snacking can lead to bad odor from your mouth. It can cause you eat more of junk, or sugary food. This can lead to presence of bacteria in the mouth leading to bad breath.

Vomiting: Frequent vomiting causes secretion of acids in the mouth that can lead to demineralization of your teeth. It can result in decay, and deposition of food that ultimately leads to bad odor.

Calcium deficiency: Some portion of the calcium that you consume goes to your baby in the womb. This can lead to inadequate amount of calcium in the blood of mother. It will lead to extraction of mineral from the teeth, and bones. This ultimately leads to weakening of your teeth and fractures, and cavities in the mouth. Decayed teeth are the reason behind bad breath.

Slow digestion: Slow digestion is very common in pregnancy that leads to constipation. It happens due to the increase in hormonal changes, and uterus that leads to acid reflux. This, in turn, results in demineralization of enamel, and buildup of hollows in teeth that ultimately becomes the reasons for bad breath.


Morning sickness: Morning sickness is another very important issue among pregnant women. It eventually leads to vomiting and bad breath in expecting mothers.

Dehydration: When you don’t drink necessary amount of water as required by the body, then it leads to dehydration. This causes lack of water in your mouth, i.e., a condition called “dry mouth” that leads to stinking. To overcome this problem, you should drink a minimum of 10 to 12 glasses of water on a daily basis.

Food: Eating certain kinds of foods that produces strong smell like garlic, coffee, onions, etc., can lead to foul odor in your mouth.

Medical conditions: If you are suffering from infections in respiratory tract, gastrointestinal diseases, liver disease, diabetes, throat infections, metabolic disorders, and endocrine diseases, then there are chances that it can lead to bad breath. If you suffer from the above medical issues, then you are likely to experience bad breath.

How to treat bad breath in pregnancy?

To deal with your bad breath you can follow these simple tips:

  • Brush your teeth two times in a day. Keeping your oral cavity clean is the first step to achieve a healthy mouth.
  • Gargle with lukewarm saltwater as it helps in eliminating bacterial formation in the oral cavity. An alcohol-free mouthwash can also be used as a substitute to saltwater.
  • Clean the tongue daily as a dirty tongue serves as a breeding ground for bacteria and leads to halitosis.
  • Floss your teeth every day to prevent food particles to deposit in between teeth.
  • Eat fiber rich food as these foods have a property to remove plaque and self-cleanse the teeth. It also boosts digestive system.
  • Drink adequate amount of water to prevent dry mouth.
  • Eat cardamom, or sugar-free chewing gum to get rid of bad breath.
  • Always brush your teeth after eating food.
  • Ask your doctor if you can take calcium supplements to maintain optimal levels of calcium in blood.
  • Get regular dental check-ups.

Also read: Body Odor In Pregnancy: Causes And Natural Remedies

Conclusion

Management of fowl breath doesn’t always require medical interventions. By learning about the causes of bad breath, you can try these easy and effective at-home measures and remedies to solve this issue in pregnancy.