Dental caries
Many lay-persons appear to believe that pregnancy is a direct cause of dental caries. The old wives’ tale “with each child, a tooth” has been quoted even in dental and medical literature. In 1875 Coles wrote, “We have during pregnancy, an increasing liability to caries, with each generation.” He noted that during the first months of pregnancy, patients may have “severe toothache” secondary to caries. He explained this as “a diminution of earthy salts” during pregnancy. This belief has been fostered and has been one of the most stubborn misconceptions to appear in dental and medical literature. There is no scientifically proven evidence to support this belief.
The hydroxyapatite crystal, of which enamel is made, does not respond to the biochemical and metabolic changes of pregnancy, nor does it respond to changes in calcium metabolism. The belief that morning sickness and vomiting can create an acid pH and therefore increase the decay rate is highly suspect as well. The few seconds that the pH of the oral environment may be lowered is a very brief period of time compared to the months needed for the production of decay.
