It is not common for women to experience unexplained bad breath during pregnancy. Bad breath can be defined as “offensive odors emanating from the mouth or air-filled cavities, such as sinuses, nose, and pharynx” (1). The source of bad breath, also called halitosis, is the oral cavity in 90% of all cases (2). Read this post to learn more about the causes, symptoms, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of bad breath in pregnancy.
Is Bad Breath Normal In Pregnancy?
Bad breath in pregnancy is common and usually occurs as a result of changes happening in the body. The bad odor from the mouth comes due to the volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs), which are mainly hydrogen sulfide and methyl mercaptan. Many oral bacteria produce these compounds that lead to bad odor (3).
What Causes Bad Breath During Pregnancy?
The following are the common reasons that might cause the development of VSCs and eventually, bad breath in pregnancy. The above conditions can lead to a wide spectrum of dental problems, which can eventually cause bad breath. Most cases are mainly due to gum inflammation (known as gingivitis). It is important to note that pregnancy, by itself, has little impact on the occurrence of gingivitis or periodontitis. Most often, the plaque is already present in the mouth. Therefore, it is recommended that women who are planning their pregnancy get dental cleaning and polishing regularly. It is safe to have dental cleanings during pregnancy, but if you need any dental procedures, speak to your doctor for instructions.
Associated Symptoms Of Bad Breath (Halitosis) During Pregnancy
At times, you might not realize that you have halitosis, and it might be told to you by your family or close friends. However, you might notice one or more of the following symptoms along with bad breath.
Red, swollen and bleeding gums Image: iStock Dry mouth or reduced salivary flow Coated tongue Unpleasant metallic or bitter taste in the mouth
How To Avoid Bad Breath During Pregnancy?
Management of bad breath does not always need medical interventions. Some home remedies might help get rid of it.
When To See A Doctor
Experts usually recommend that a session of professional dental cleaning and polishing be done in the second trimester, even in the absence of any dental problems. You may discuss it with your doctor and dentist. You should see a dentist under the following circumstances.
Bad breath that is making you too self-conscious. Bleeding gums Any mobile(loose) teeth Painful teeth or gums Burning sensation in the mouth Metallic taste in the mouth Food lodgement between the teeth and gums Pus discharge from the gums A shiny red lump on the gum that looks like a raspberry, as it might indicate the presence of pyogenic granuloma, a gum infection which is seen in 5% of all pregnancy cases. (7)
Diagnosis Of Bad breath
Bad breath is most often identified by the patient or by a family member or close friend. If you suspect bad odor in your mouth, a dentist might help you diagnose the cause through the following techniques (2).
Organoleptic measurement: This is considered a standard gold test in confirming bad breath. In this method, the examiner measures the air expelled by the patient through the nose. It is the most commonly deployed method to diagnose halitosis.
Gas chromatography: This is considered to be a highly reliable way to diagnose halitosis. Gas chromatography is used to measure volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs). Image: Shutterstock
Sulfide monitoring: Sulfide monitoring is a relatively cheap way to measure the VSCs. It gauges the electrochemical reaction of sulfur-containing compounds in the expelled air on a sulfide monitoring device.
Chemical sensors: These sensors have an inbuilt probe that helps in measuring sulfur compounds from the tongue and the gum pockets. This sensor generates an electrochemical voltage, which is measured by an electronic device.
BANA test: A strip composed of benzoyl-DL-arginine-a-naphthylamide is used to detect microorganisms that cause bad breath.
A few more tests which might be deployed by the dentist are:
Quantifying β-galactosidase activity Salivary incubation test Ammonia monitoring Ninhydrin method
In most cases, malodor in pregnancy resolves with basic treatment protocols such as scaling and polishing the teeth, and these tests may not be necessary. Your dentist will perform a thorough examination and decide if these tests are needed to diagnose the source of bad odor.
Is There Any Medical Treatment For Bad Breath In Pregnancy?
The dentist will find the cause of the bad breath and try to fix it. Your dentist may deploy one of the following treatments.
Deep scaling and root planing to get rid of the plaque on the teeth and under the gums.
Resin fillings for teeth that have worn out due to acid reflux or vomiting.
Resin fillings for cavities.
Curettage in the case of a lot of plaque deposition under the gums.
Surgical or laser excision of pyogenic granuloma.
Any dental treatment should be done after taking consent from your doctor. There are some treatment methods that should not be performed.
Avoid any elective and non-emergency treatment.
Avoid any X-rays during pregnancy. In inevitable circumstances, ask your dentist to take optimum measures like covering with a lead apron.
Do not consume any drugs without taking consent from doctor.
References:
title: “9 Causes Of Bad Breath In Pregnancy And Remedies To Control” ShowToc: true date: “2022-12-28” author: “Tammy Bowser”
It is not common for women to experience unexplained bad breath during pregnancy. Bad breath can be defined as “offensive odors emanating from the mouth or air-filled cavities, such as sinuses, nose, and pharynx” (1). The source of bad breath, also called halitosis, is the oral cavity in 90% of all cases (2). Read this post to learn more about the causes, symptoms, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of bad breath in pregnancy.
Is Bad Breath Normal In Pregnancy?
Bad breath in pregnancy is common and usually occurs as a result of changes happening in the body. The bad odor from the mouth comes due to the volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs), which are mainly hydrogen sulfide and methyl mercaptan. Many oral bacteria produce these compounds that lead to bad odor (3).
What Causes Bad Breath During Pregnancy?
The following are the common reasons that might cause the development of VSCs and eventually, bad breath in pregnancy. The above conditions can lead to a wide spectrum of dental problems, which can eventually cause bad breath. Most cases are mainly due to gum inflammation (known as gingivitis). It is important to note that pregnancy, by itself, has little impact on the occurrence of gingivitis or periodontitis. Most often, the plaque is already present in the mouth. Therefore, it is recommended that women who are planning their pregnancy get dental cleaning and polishing regularly. It is safe to have dental cleanings during pregnancy, but if you need any dental procedures, speak to your doctor for instructions.
Associated Symptoms Of Bad Breath (Halitosis) During Pregnancy
At times, you might not realize that you have halitosis, and it might be told to you by your family or close friends. However, you might notice one or more of the following symptoms along with bad breath.
Red, swollen and bleeding gums Image: iStock Dry mouth or reduced salivary flow Coated tongue Unpleasant metallic or bitter taste in the mouth
How To Avoid Bad Breath During Pregnancy?
Management of bad breath does not always need medical interventions. Some home remedies might help get rid of it.
When To See A Doctor
Experts usually recommend that a session of professional dental cleaning and polishing be done in the second trimester, even in the absence of any dental problems. You may discuss it with your doctor and dentist. You should see a dentist under the following circumstances.
Bad breath that is making you too self-conscious. Bleeding gums Any mobile(loose) teeth Painful teeth or gums Burning sensation in the mouth Metallic taste in the mouth Food lodgement between the teeth and gums Pus discharge from the gums A shiny red lump on the gum that looks like a raspberry, as it might indicate the presence of pyogenic granuloma, a gum infection which is seen in 5% of all pregnancy cases. (7)
Diagnosis Of Bad breath
Bad breath is most often identified by the patient or by a family member or close friend. If you suspect bad odor in your mouth, a dentist might help you diagnose the cause through the following techniques (2).
Organoleptic measurement: This is considered a standard gold test in confirming bad breath. In this method, the examiner measures the air expelled by the patient through the nose. It is the most commonly deployed method to diagnose halitosis.
Gas chromatography: This is considered to be a highly reliable way to diagnose halitosis. Gas chromatography is used to measure volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs). Image: Shutterstock
Sulfide monitoring: Sulfide monitoring is a relatively cheap way to measure the VSCs. It gauges the electrochemical reaction of sulfur-containing compounds in the expelled air on a sulfide monitoring device.
Chemical sensors: These sensors have an inbuilt probe that helps in measuring sulfur compounds from the tongue and the gum pockets. This sensor generates an electrochemical voltage, which is measured by an electronic device.
BANA test: A strip composed of benzoyl-DL-arginine-a-naphthylamide is used to detect microorganisms that cause bad breath.
A few more tests which might be deployed by the dentist are:
Quantifying β-galactosidase activity Salivary incubation test Ammonia monitoring Ninhydrin method
In most cases, malodor in pregnancy resolves with basic treatment protocols such as scaling and polishing the teeth, and these tests may not be necessary. Your dentist will perform a thorough examination and decide if these tests are needed to diagnose the source of bad odor.
Is There Any Medical Treatment For Bad Breath In Pregnancy?
The dentist will find the cause of the bad breath and try to fix it. Your dentist may deploy one of the following treatments.
Deep scaling and root planing to get rid of the plaque on the teeth and under the gums.
Resin fillings for teeth that have worn out due to acid reflux or vomiting.
Resin fillings for cavities.
Curettage in the case of a lot of plaque deposition under the gums.
Surgical or laser excision of pyogenic granuloma.
Any dental treatment should be done after taking consent from your doctor. There are some treatment methods that should not be performed.
Avoid any elective and non-emergency treatment.
Avoid any X-rays during pregnancy. In inevitable circumstances, ask your dentist to take optimum measures like covering with a lead apron.
Do not consume any drugs without taking consent from doctor.
