Why do pregnant women experience dry mouth during pregnancy?

Dry mouth during pregnancy is not a strange problem. This is mostly due to the too rapid hormonal changes during this time that the body is constantly dehydrated. However, there are several other causes of this problem that you should pay attention to.

Pregnancy is a time when you will experience a lot of emotions from joy, hope to anxiety and panic. During pregnancy, you will experience many unpleasant symptoms such as body aches, fatigue, cramps, insomnia, nausea ... Among them, dry mouth is a problem that many women carry. Pregnancy encountered. The following shares of aFamilyToday Health will help you understand more about this issue.

Phenomenon dry mouth during pregnancy

Dry mouth during pregnancy is a condition in which the mouth and throat can feel dry and uncomfortable. This usually occurs in the first 3 months of pregnancy and often makes you feel more uncomfortable at night. Some of the symptoms can accompany dry mouth such as stuffy nose, headache, indigestion, cracked lips ...

What are the consequences of dry mouth during pregnancy?

In addition to the above symptoms, sometimes dry mouth causes other problems, such as a pale white tongue after waking up. This is because during the first trimester, you become dehydrated from vomiting and urinating a lot. In addition to feeling uncomfortable, dry mouth can also affect your oral health. Saliva has the effect of removing food debris left over on the teeth after eating, and at the same time helping to limit harmful bacteria growth. As a result, dry mouth can cause tooth and gum problems such as gingivitis , plaque and tooth decay .

Cause pregnant women have dry mouth

Almost all pregnant women experience this problem, and the most common symptom is bad breath. In addition, there are a number of other causes that lead to this condition such as:

1. Medicines

Some medicines that can cause dry mouth during pregnancy such as antidepressants , bronchodilators, diuretics ... Although these symptoms may cause discomfort, do not stop taking them unless your doctor loves you. bridge.

2. Dehydration

Even if you drink 8 glasses of water a day, you still feel uncomfortable. This is completely normal because the body's need for absorption is increasing because the body has to work hard to create a healthy baby.

3. Increased blood volume

The amount of blood in the body increases during pregnancy. This causes the kidneys to work harder, and the frequency of urination will also increase, leading to dehydration and dry mouth.

4. Increase metabolic rate

Cell activities such as energy production, food digestion, etc. increase during pregnancy. So your body absorbs more water and you need to replenish it regularly.

Can dry mouth be dangerous for you and your baby?

You should not ignore this issue as it could be a sign that you have some dangerous diseases such as:

1. Gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes can be the cause of dry mouth. This may be due to an increase in blood sugar, which causes a decrease in the amount of water in the body. In addition to dry mouth, there are other symptoms such as thirst, burning pain in the mouth, cracked lips ...

2. Anemia

Dry mouth can also be a sign of anemia . In addition to dry mouth, anemia also has other symptoms such as dry neck, cracked lips, and painful tongue.

3. Increased blood pressure

If dry mouth is accompanied by a severe headache, it could be a sign that your blood pressure is high.

The secret to dealing with dry mouth during pregnancy

Dry mouth is not a disease, so there is no specific medical treatment to treat. Ideally, you should find the cause of this condition and take action accordingly. However, whatever the cause, you should drink at least 2-3 liters of water a day to avoid dehydration.

Here are some tips you can try to "get rid of" this unpleasant symptom:

Drink water regularly, even if you don't feel thirsty. You can also suck on small ice cubes to keep your mouth moist.

Try to breathe through your nose, even while sleeping, to prevent the water from evaporating from your mouth.

Do not drink alcohol or coffee during pregnancy because these drinks not only dehydrate but also cause many other dangerous complications.

Do not smoke during pregnancy because smoking makes your throat more dry.

You can use a humidifier in your bedroom if you live in areas with low humidity.

Chew gum (preferably without sugar) because chewing stimulates the production of saliva.

Pay attention to oral health care. Brush and floss in the morning, at night, and after each meal.

Drink coconut water because it contains many healthy nutrients such as vitamins and minerals.

Build a healthy, balanced diet full of green vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and lean meats.

Avoid high salt intake as it can dehydrate the body.

When should I see a doctor?

Dry mouth is not a dangerous problem and can be managed quite easily. However, if your dry mouth is accompanied by symptoms such as headache, burning sensation in the oral cavity, extreme fatigue, diarrhea, nausea ... then see your doctor immediately.

Pregnancy changes the body's hormones and dry mouth is one of the most common side effects when your body changes too quickly. However, while dry mouth isn't a big deal, it can be a sign of many other dangerous complications. Keep a record of all the changes your body goes through during pregnancy. This will help you find unusual problems early so you can take timely action.