The Bad Breath Blog

Did you think that mouthwash was just for your oral health? A new study conducted suggests that rinsing with mouthwash while pregnant (for mothers that have gum disease) have more of a chance of carrying a baby to full term. This study was published by Reuters Health and states a fact that we often discuss: pregnant women with periodontal disease tend to have more premature babies than women with healthy gums. Why? We’re still not sure (even after this study) however, it is known that rinsing regularly with an alcohol-free mouthwash (like any of TheraBreath’s Oral Rinses) may cut a woman’s risk of delivering early by almost 75%! Isn’t it worth trying?

The research term in this study asked 71 pregnant women with gum disease to gargle twice daily with an alcohol-free mouthwash. The team then compared the number of preemies with a group of 155 pregnant women who also had gum disease that only gargled with water. For the water only group, one in five (34 moms total) gave birth early – meaning before 35 weeks of pregnancy. Of the 71  others that rinsed with mouthwash, only 4 moms gave birth early (about one in five).

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During pregnancy, a woman’s body goes through various (if not dramatic) changes: back aches, swelling of the feet and ankles, random food cravings, and more.

With all that is going on with your body and all of the planning required to welcome this new little one into the world, I bet that your teeth and gums are probably the last thing on your mind.

However, did you know that the hormonal changes your body is experiencing during pregnancy can lead to “Pregnancy Gingivitis”?

If you already have gingivitis going into pregnancy, this condition is likely to get worse without proper gum care. Pregnant women that have gum disease are also six times more likely to have a baby that is premature or has a low-birth weight. (more…)

Unfortunately, pregnant women with bad breath may have a problem that is staggering in its implications.  Previously, we have discussed the relationship between gum disease and reproductive health (pregnancy gingivitis), which can result in a baby being born prematurely.  Research shows that the bad breath-causing bacteria may even be linked to stillbirths.

Allegedly, the oral bacteria can be transferred to the placenta if it enters the blood stream through open sores in the gums.  The unborn child is not equipped to fight the disease with its immune system in the same manner an adult can. 

Since bleeding gums/pregnancy gingivitis is extremely common among pregnant women, it is vital that expecting mothers brush and floss frequently during the day, after snacks and meals.  Surgery may be needed for serious infections. 

Whereas pregnancy gingivitis is common, the possibility of having a stillbirth is not.  Nonetheless, taking healthy steps will make pregnancy easier and reduce anxiety levels.  Here are some tips for practicing good oral hygiene:

- Go to the dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings.
- Brush your teeth at least 2-3 times a day, ideally after every meal and snack.  This prevents plaque/tartar building up.
- Floss after every meal.
- Use an oral rinse (like TheraBreath) at least 2 times a day. 
- Use a tongue scraper to prevent the bad breath-causing bacteria from building up.
- Eat healthier (more vegetables, less sweets).

More people than you may think have gingivitis–up to half of the U.S. population.  Some people do not even realize that they have it, and they might have common symptoms like bad breath, and/or swollen, red and bleeding gums.  Gingivitis can cause complications like heart disease, pre-term birth, and diabetes if it is not treated.  Most of the time, people think it is caused by a lack of proper oral hygiene or the hormonal changes that occur during a woman’s pregnancy (pregnancy gingivitis). 

A new study, on the other hand, shows that genetics actually can play a major part in the onset and healing of gum disease.  The goal of this study was to pinpoint various changes on a molecular level during the onset and healing processes of the disease.  Research showed that ~30% of the human body’s genes are expressed differently during the formation and healing of gingivitis.  How one reacts to gingivitis depends greatly on how the body’s immune system is activated.  The findings of the study enabled scientists to identify certain biological pathways activated by the onset and remediation of gingivitis, including energy metabolism, immunity response, neural processes, vasculature, chemotaxis, steroid metabolism and wound healing.  The information gathered from this study should certainly help scientists and doctors come up with better cures for gingivitis.

Bad breath is a dilemma that is even more common in pregnant women. The hormonal changes encountered in women who are expecting make her dental condition weaker, thus making her more susceptible to halitosis. Not all pregnant women have this problem, but the percentage is definitely higher.

There are many tips out there for pregnant women to take heed to, and one of them might be to increase the calcium intake because calcium deficiency often happens in pregnant women. Calcium supplements may be recommended for both during and after pregnancy because it makes the teeth stronger and prevents other oral problems like gum disease and bad breath. Since women should not take in any chemicals that could endanger a baby’s health, it is especially hard to treat conditions like gingivitis during pregnancy.

Also, since pregnant women should not use most mouthwashes because of the chemical content, they need to find other ways to treat halitosis. Herbal alternatives may be recommended for preventing the anaerobic bacteria that causes bad breath during pregnancy. Some herbal cures may include lemon oil, peppermint oil, or lime oil for starters. Also, expecting mothers can try gargling water with salt and drinking fresh lemon juice to prevent bad breath.

If one goes through the efforts of trying these herbal cures and practicing good oral hygiene, she should be able to get rid of bad breath quickly. Not all problems can be solved with a store-bought medication, so it’s worthwhile to look at the natural alternatives. Also, one should make sure she does not have another underlying medical condition that causes the bad breath, so she should schedule checkups with her doctor if she is having persistent halitosis. This is the best way to keep expecting moms and their babies healthy.