Know the Causes and Remedies for Dry Mouth During Pregnancy

With so many hormonal changes happening in your body, you are going to deal with so many uncomfortable physical and emotional symptoms during pregnancy. Hormonal fluctuations and changes in metabolic activity during pregnancy can make you deal with problems, like heartburn, vomiting, nausea, fatigue, abdominal cramps, sore nipples, and frequent urination. You may also notice a significant thirst, which may also be accompanied by dry mouth during pregnancy. Is it normal to have a dry or cotton mouth, as they call it? Let's find out more about it.

Possible Causes of Dry Mouth

Almost all pregnant women suffer from bad breath and cotton mouth, especially when they wake up in the morning. What causes this problem is not clear, but experts have identified some contributing factors, such as the following:

  • Dehydration: You are going to have a dry mouth in the morning if you are not drinking enough fluids throughout the day. You need more fluids during pregnancy because of frequent urination and other metabolic processes, and not drinking enough water and fluids would result in dehydration.
  • Gestational Diabetes: You should inform your doctor about your dry mouth because it could be a sign of gestational diabetes. You may have high levels of sugar in your blood, which also causes increased urination and thirst.
  • Use of Drugs: Talk to your doctor if you have started experiencing dryness in your mouth after taking certain medication. Many prescription drugs can cause this issue, but be sure to ask your doctor for advice and never stop taking any medication without getting a green signal from your doctor.

Remedies to Relieve Dry Mouth

You may feel quite uncomfortable when you have a dry mouth during pregnancy, but you can certainly try some natural ways to treat the problem. The simplest solution is to increase your intake of water and fluids. This prevents dehydration and keeps mouth dryness at bay.

Similarly, sucking on ice chips may also help because it moisturizes your mouth – it also proves effective against pregnancy nausea. Be sure to carry plenty of sugarless candies or gum wherever you go.

Here are some other ways to deal with the issue:

  • Install a humidifier in your room if you experience mouth dryness particularly in the morning.
  • Avoid caffeinated beverages, including tea, coffee, and soda because they cause dehydration.
  • Do not eat sticky, sugar foods, but if you have eaten some, be sure to brush your teeth soon after.
  • Keep alcohol and tobacco out of your life because they dry out the mouth and can cause serious harm to your baby.
  • Drink lemon water to help activate your salivary glands and prevent mouth dryness.
  • Stick to a low sodium diet because salt can make you thirsty.
  • Make a conscious effort to keep your mouth closed all the time – you should not leave it open while sleeping.
  • Inhale some steam for about 15 minutes daily to keep your airways and nasal passages moist. It also helps reduce dryness in your mouth.
  • Pay attention to good oral hygiene and never overlook the importance of brushing and flossing twice a day. Do not use commercial mouthwashes because the alcohol in these products can aggravate that cotton mouth feeling.

Note: Be sure to seek immediate medical help if you have a dry mouth during pregnancy along with some other symptoms, such as vomiting, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, frequent urination, and diarrhea. Your doctor will examine your situation and confirm if you are suffering from gestational diabetes.

Proper Dental Care in Pregnancy

Along with trying some natural ways to relieve mouth dryness, you should always develop good oral care habits in pregnancy. Dry mouth is certainly an issue, but you may also have to deal with many other oral health issues during pregnancy. For instance, about 2% to 10% of pregnant women end up dealing with gingivitis and granuloma.

  • Brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste is important, and the same goes for flossing.
  • Pay attention to your diet. Maintaining a balanced diet will prevent dry mouth during pregnancy and protect you from other pregnancy related issues. You should opt for fruits and veggies that provide you with loads of calcium. Some nice options include carrots, green leafy veggies, milk, and nuts – they also provide you with vitamin C and vitamin A.
  • At the same time, you should limit your intake of sugary foods because these foods provide bacteria with a friendlier environment to grow. This may also lead to acid production that can damage tooth enamel.
  • During your pregnancy, you should also see your dentist at least twice. Ideally, you should be seeing your dentist in your second trimester because first and third trimesters are not suitable for professional cleanings. This will also help get a better advice in case an oral issue is causing mouth dryness. They can also take certain steps to prevent other issues, such as tooth decay and infections.
 
 
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