No one ever said having children was easy or cheap. In fact, giving birth could cost a mother more than money — it could cost her some teeth. According to a recently published study, pregnancy is being linked to tooth loss. In fact, the more pregnancies a woman goes through, the more teeth she is likely to lose.

U.S. researchers examined the medical records of 2,635 American women ages 18 to 64. These women were then separated into three categories: low, middle and high income status. Although women of lower socioeconomic status lost more teeth on average, there was still a noticeable increase of tooth loss with each pregnancy across the board.

In the highest income group, women with no children were missing an average of less than one tooth. Those with one child were missing about one tooth, while those with four or more children were missing an average of five teeth. These statistics were slightly higher amongst women with less money. However, all women were clearly affected by their number of pregnancies.

What is it about pregnancy that contributes to tooth loss? Doctors say that pregnant women are more likely to develop plaque build-up and gingivitis. Hormones often cause pregnant women to have swollen gums, which also complicates oral hygiene. Swollen gums are much harder to thoroughly clean, it would seem.

Another factor that may cause the link between pregnancy and tooth loss is the fact that many women avoid the dentist while carrying a baby. These women are often concerned about complications from dental work and x-rays, although this is a misconception. Notifying one’s dentist about the pregnancy will help to ensure the child’s safety and OB/GYNs recommend that all pregnant women have their teeth cleaned at least once during the nine months.

This is the first large U.S. study to research pregnancy and tooth loss, although smaller surveys had indicated a link before. The information gathered should not deter women from having multiple pregnancies. Rather, it should encourage women to be diligent about their oral hygiene practices during pregnancy.

Posted by Heather Johnson

Heather Johnson is a regular commentator on the subject of RN to MSN Programs. She welcomes your feedback and potential job inquiries at