Let's face it - pregnancy can bring along some unexpected and rather embarrassing side effects, and one of them is undeniably bad breath. I mean, who wants to live their life day after day struggling with atrocious breath? Nobody! But the good thing about bad breath during pregnancy is it is not uncommon, it is not a serious issue, and it can quickly be resolved using the right methods.
Symptoms of Bad Breath During Pregnancy
Sometimes you don’t know if your breath is bad, and others won’t have the heart to tell you that it smells awful. If you think you may be struggling with bad breath during pregnancy, there is a few quick ways to tell:
Bitter Taste in the Mouth - If you notice that you constantly have a bitter taste in your mouth that won’t go away no matter what you do, then you may have bad breath.
Dry Mouth - Notice that your mouth is always dry, even after drinking a lot of water? Feel as though your mouth is dry but your tongue has a heavy, coated feeling? These are surefire symptoms of bad breath.
Excess Plaque - Plaque is that sticky, soft film that can build up on your teeth. It’s loaded with bacteria and therefore is a breeding ground for bad breath. If you notice an excess of plaque on your teeth, you may be dealing with bad breath.
Causes For Bad Breath During Pregnancy
There are actually several different causes for bad breath during pregnancy, and they include the following:
Hormone Changes - Getting pregnant completely throws your hormones out of whack, which is why you may struggle with headaches, digestive issues, and out-of-control emotions. The serious fluctuation in hormones makes it difficult for the body to process out bacteria, which can lead to an increase around the teeth. The end result? Bad breath.
Another way in which hormones mess with your body during pregnancy is by increasing the amount of plaque production on your teeth, which can lead to bad breath.
Dehydration - It’s important to drink plenty of water anyways, but when you’re pregnant it’s even more imperative and you should increase the amount of water you’re consuming on a daily basis. Not getting enough water will lead to dehydration, which will in turn lead to dry mouth and a lack of oxygen-rich saliva to fend off bacteria.
Morning Sickness - Almost every pregnant woman experiences a bit of morning sickness, especially during the first couple months of pregnancy. And as you might guess, vomit isn’t the most pleasant smell in the world. If you don’t brush your teeth immediately after, you’re certain to be left with foul-smelling breath.
Food Choices - Foods with a strong odor such as coffee, onion, and garlic can leave an unpleasant scent on the breath for some time after they are consumed.
Calcium Deficiency - It takes a lot out of your body to make a baby, and if you’re suffering with a calcium deficiency, you may end up with bad breath from tooth deterioration.
How to Get Rid of Bad Breath During Pregnancy
Don't worry if you're struggling with bad breath while pregnant, there are simple solutions that will fix the issue in no time at all. Here is what you can do to banish bad breath:
Brush Teeth and Rinse Mouth Regularly - I’m sure you probably brush your teeth regularly already, but if you’re struggling with bad breath during pregnancy, you will need to up your daily teeth brushing. Try to brush your teeth after every meal or multiple times throughout the day to banish bad breath.
You may also want to purchase a high quality mouthwash to get rid of bacteria and plaque and leave your mouth feeling and smelling squeaky clean. Consider visiting your dentist to have your teeth professionally cleaned to get rid of pesky, persistent plaque that simply will not go away.
Stay Away from Strong Smelling Foods - If you want to kick your bad breath, stay away from strong smelling foods like anything that has a lot of onions and garlic. Instead, try eating more calcium-rich foods like broccoli, almonds, milk, and cheese and drink plenty of water to get rid of bad breath during pregnancy.
Chew Gum After Eating - One quick fix when you’re on the go is to pop in some gum! Gum will quickly remove bacteria from the mouth while producing more saliva to help in the fight against bad breath. If you buy gum, make sure it is sugar-free but still contains a delicious scent that will be enjoyable to smell.
You Don't Have to Live With Bad Breath During Pregnancy
At the end of the day, the struggle against bad breath during pregnancy isn’t tough at all. It’s a very common side effect of pregnancy that many women struggle with, but it doesn’t mean you have to live your life with atrocious breath.
Now that you understand the symptoms of bad breath and why bad breath during pregnancy occurs, you’re ready to start the fight against foul smells by doing just a few simple steps and getting back to the breath you know and love.
Happy pregnancy! Did you struggle with bad breath during pregnancy? How did you fix it?
