Women frequently complain to their dentists that their teeth went bad during pregnancy. This is a common misconception that is not founded on scientific fact. The premise is that the developing fetus robs the mother of calcium via the teeth. There is simply no exchange of calcium between the mother’s teeth and the skeletal structure of the developing baby. As a matter of fact, there is a constant buildup or deposition of calcified material in the pulp chamber of the mother’s teeth throughout life. This process occurs in all individuals, male or female. In elderly people, the normally hollow core of the teeth where the nerve resides may be completely solid.

There are, however, other changes which occur in the mouth during pregnancy. The mother’s gum tissue becomes very susceptible to infection if hygiene is poor. There are lesions called “pregnancy tumors” which may develop in the gum tissue. These may be unpleasant, but are benign and resolve after childbirth occurs.

Concerning tooth decay, the incidence may be elevated if the woman develops cravings involving sweets. Also, the morning sickness which accompanies many early pregnancies may cause the teeth to be exposed to stomach acids which can be detrimental. However, the duration of this phenomenon is usually not great enough to cause severe damage. The principal is the same as in bulimia, which usually occurs over long periods of time and can be devastating.

An unrelated condition which affect infants and young children is the damage done by high fevers. The elevated body temperature may affect the enamel of the permanent teeth which are developing deep in the jawbone, years before those teeth erupt. The extent of damage is not evident until the permanent teeth appear in the mouth at age 6 or later. This should be a concern for mothers for this and other obvious reasons. Make sure that any fever is dealt with promptly, through the appropriate measures. Typically the affected teeth can be easily restored with fillings or crowns, and provide a lifetime of service.

Soldotna Dental Clinic

Ronald Martinelli, D.D.S.

Dan O. Pitts, D.D.S.

262-4989