Relationship Between Missing Teeth & Pregnancy Complications

When you’re pregnant, your body goes through incredible changes, and your focus naturally shifts to doing everything you can to support a healthy pregnancy. You start taking your vitamins, making more thoughtful food choices, and keeping up with prenatal visits. But one area that’s often overlooked is your oral health care during pregnancy. And for many of our patients here in Mira Mesa, it’s something they don’t always realize plays a bigger role than expected.

So let’s break it all down by answering three essential questions and exploring how oral health fits into the bigger picture of prenatal care.

Can tooth problems affect pregnancy?

Tooth problems themselves – whether it’s decay, gum inflammation, or even missing teeth – aren’t always the root cause of complications. But they can be a warning sign that something more is going on.

In many cases, missing teeth may reflect a history of chronic periodontal disease, which is a type of gum infection involving long-term inflammation. This matters because studies have linked periodontal disease with several adverse pregnancy outcomes:

• Preterm birth (PB): Delivering your baby before 37 weeks of pregnancy.

• Low birth weight (LBW): Babies born under 5.5 pounds.

• Preterm low birth weight (PLBW): A combination of both early delivery and low birth weight, showing an even stronger link to gum problems.

While it’s important not to overstate the cause-and-effect relationship, the evidence increasingly suggests that oral infections and inflammation may play a contributing role in how a pregnancy progresses. So, if you’ve experienced ongoing gum issues or tooth loss, it’s worth discussing your dental history with both your dentist and your OB-GYN.

Is poor dental hygiene linked to premature labor?

Indirectly, yes. Poor dental hygiene doesn’t directly cause premature labor, but it can play a big role by contributing to gum disease – and that’s where the link comes in.

When daily brushing and flossing fall by the wayside, bacteria accumulate around your teeth and gums. Over time, this bacterial buildup can irritate gum tissue, leading to inflammation (gingivitis) and, if left untreated, periodontitis, a more serious form of gum disease that affects the deeper structures supporting your teeth.

During pregnancy, your body reacts more strongly to gum inflammation because of all the hormonal shifts happening, which makes good oral care even more important. Skipping a few cleanings won’t send you into labor, but consistently neglecting your teeth could lead to low-grade infections and inflammation throughout your body. In some cases, that might raise the risk of complications like early labor or impact your baby’s development.

The bottom line? Keeping up with basic oral hygiene – brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and getting professional cleanings – can help you avoid those extra risks during pregnancy.

What happens if you don’t treat an infection during pregnancy?

Untreated tooth infection doesn’t just affect your mouth. It can affect your whole body, and while pregnant, this includes your developing baby. How?

When your gums get inflamed, they release things like cytokines and prostaglandins – basically, your body’s chemical SOS signals. These are part of your immune system’s way of fighting off infection, but if too many get into your bloodstream, they can actually cause trouble by:

• Triggering early uterine contractions
• Weakening the membranes surrounding the baby
• Crossing the placenta and affecting fetal development

What’s tricky about periodontitis is that it often doesn’t come with any clear warning signs. You might not feel any pain at all, but behind the scenes, inflammation and bacteria could still be affecting your overall health. That’s why it’s so important to keep up with regular dental checkups. Catching and treating any issues early on, ideally before pregnancy or during the second trimester, can make a big difference.

What about calcium deficiency, pregnancy, and teeth?

Another important (but often overlooked) piece of the puzzle is calcium, a mineral essential not only for your baby’s developing bones but also for maintaining your own dental health during pregnancy.

When you’re pregnant, your body’s demand for calcium increases dramatically. If you’re not getting enough through your diet or supplements, your body may begin pulling calcium from your bones and teeth to support your baby’s needs. Over time, this can weaken your tooth enamel, making your teeth more prone to decay, sensitivity, and even breakage.

In more advanced cases, ongoing calcium deficiency can contribute to Calcium deficiency pregnancy teeth:

• Tooth loss or erosion
• Increased susceptibility to gum disease
• Worsening of pre-existing dental problems

While calcium deficiency alone doesn’t cause pregnancy complications, it can add another layer of risk—especially if it leads to dental infections or contributes to the development of periodontal disease.

So, what happens when you don’t get enough calcium?

Symptoms of low calcium during pregnancy can vary, but they often include:

• Muscle pain and cramping, especially in the legs
• Joint pain or stiffness
• Back pain, which can sometimes be confused with normal pregnancy discomfort
• Brittle nails and dry skin
• Tooth sensitivity or toothaches
• Weakened bones (osteopenia or osteoporosis)

So, what’s the solution? Make sure your prenatal routine includes:

• A calcium-rich diet (think leafy greens, yogurt, almonds, and fortified cereals)
• Prenatal vitamins that include calcium and vitamin D
• Regular communication with your doctor or dietitian to ensure you’re meeting your nutritional needs

How to protect your teeth during pregnancy? Temecula Dental Implants & Oral Surgery got you covered!

At Temecula Dental Implants & Oral Surgery, we take the time to truly understand what expectant moms need when it comes to dental care. Whether you’re managing gum issues, dealing with missing teeth, or just want to make sure everything’s on track, you’ll be in good hands. 

Whether you’re in Mira Mesa or nearby, you can count on us not just to restore your smile, but to support your overall well-being, helping you stay on top of nutrition, avoid potential pregnancy complications, and reduce the risk of issues like cognitive decline, and even certain cancers. Just give us a call to set up a consultation, because taking care of your teeth is one more way to look after yourself.