A Seattle-based dentist had TikTokers speechless after revealing she could tell if a woman is pregnant just by examining the inside of her mouth. Although every woman's symptoms vary during pregnancy, most women experience hormonal changes affecting different areas of the body.
Dr. Sukhmani posted a three-part series titled "Things your dentist can tell about you just by looking in your mouth” to her TikTok account, with valuable tips for potential patients to look out for before heading to the dentist. In the third video, the TikToker, aka @thatdentalgal_, focused on the early signs of pregnancy for women.
Sukhmani says dentists can tell a woman is pregnant based on the condition of her teeth and gums.
Although morning sickness is a classic sign of pregnancy, other factors inside a woman's mouth may reveal that she's pregnant. For example, a dentist looks inside the patient's mouth and notices oral changes — “not only due to the nausea and enamel erosion, but due to something called pregnancy gingivitis, which is seen in 30 to 50% of pregnant patients," Sukhmani says in the clip.
“Gums become inflamed, tender, and more prone to bleeding,” she explains as a photo of a pregnant woman with gingivitis appears.
Medical experts have suggested ways for women to prevent or control gingivitis during pregnancy.
What is pregnancy gingivitis and how early does it develop during pregnancy?
After a woman becomes pregnant, hormonal changes affect different parts of the body, including her teeth. As reported by Healthline, oral health is just as important as keeping the baby healthy throughout gestation. Even though many women may not be aware of all pregnancy symptoms, pregnancy gingivitis is an early indicator that someone is expecting.
A woman should look for some key signs when brushing her teeth. If there's blood, pain, and swelling, she likely has gingivitis. According to the website, bacterial plaque surfaces around the gums as progesterone levels increase during pregnancy.
Symptoms to look out for include the following:
- swollen gums
- tender, puffy gums
- bleeding gums
- receding gums
- red gums
- bad breath
How should women prevent pregnancy gingivitis?
Pregnant women are advised to brush their teeth at least twice a day. In addition, Healthline recommends using toothpaste containing fluoride as additional protection for teeth. Those with sensitive gums should use a soft toothbrush and floss once daily to reduce the risk of bacterial infections in the mouth.
Physicians suggest pregnant women maintain a healthy diet to promote overall health for the mother and child. A diet rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and dairy products contributes to a healthy pregnancy.
Gargling with sea salt is another useful way to prevent pregnancy gingivitis because the salt helps reduce inflammation and heals the gums. Lastly, pregnant women are advised to visit the dentist routinely for checkups regarding their teeth and gums.
TikTokers shared their thoughts on Sukhmani's video regarding oral health.
One user reportedly panicked after realizing her gums were bleeding after brushing her teeth. "Okay, um, I noticed my gums bleeding like three weeks ago, but I also changed the head on my electric toothbrush. I’m freaking out now," the TikToker wrote.
"My gums bled so much during pregnancy!! During my cleaning they were extra careful because even the smallest touch caused so much bleeding! Lol," another user wrote.
"Omg my top gums are so sore I’m newly pregnant and I can’t eat or drink anything hot ," one user noted.
"I'm trying for a baby and my dentist told me today that she believes I'm pregnant… I hope she's right!!! ❤️," another person explained.
“Not me checking my teeth in the mirror after watching this video,” shared another user.
