It’s a widespread warning that mothers have passed on to daughters for generations. A woman loses a tooth for every child she has. But is it true?
Yes, say experts, who have found a link between pregnancy and poor dental health. A New York University College of Dentistry study of more than 2,500 pregnant women found that mothers who have multiple children have a higher risk of losing teeth.
It’s not a new problem. A 2008 study in Current Anthropology found that women have had worse dental health than men ever since the boom in the human population 10,000 years ago. More children also led to a greater risk of periodontal disease. Some factors that affect a pregnant women’s oral health include:
- · Morning sickness (vomiting erodes tooth enamel).
- · Dry mouth (less saliva increases the risk of cavities) from hormonal changes.
- · An increased desire for sugary and starchy foods.
Pregnant women also are less likely to visit their dentists, according to researchers. So what should you do if you’re pregnant? See your dentist regularly, brush and floss daily and eat a balanced diet.