Why Do So Many Pregnant Women Get Dry Mouth, And What Can They Do About It?

Dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, is a condition that’s caused when the salivary glands don’t produce enough saliva. During pregnancy, many women experience dry mouth — but not to worry — dry mouth during pregnancy is normal and manageable. Most importantly, it’s usually temporary. 

 

Still, there’s no reason for pregnant women to suffer in silence — there are several dry mouth treatment options as well as lifestyle tips for relieving uncomfortable symptoms. As always, it’s important for pregnant women to speak with a healthcare provider before trying any new prescription or OTC remedy. 

 

Dry Mouth Symptoms

Dry mouth may sound fairly innocuous, but its symptoms are varied and far-reaching. Yes, they mainly affect the mouth — but the mouth performs many functions! A person who has dry mouth is likely to experience difficulty in talking, chewing, and swallowing — several basic daily functions. 

 

Moreover, the lack of saliva can cause a variety of oral health issues, including gum disease, rampant dental caries, oral thrush, and more. Even people who brush and floss daily can experience oral health issues when they have dry mouth, because the lack of saliva is significantly detrimental. 

 

Why Does Dry Mouth Occur During Pregnancy?

There are several reasons dry mouth occurs during pregnancy.

• Hormonal changes: During pregnancy, hormone levels — especially estrogen and progesterone— fluctuate to support the body’s new needs. These shifting hormones can impact the salivary glands’ function, reducing the amount of saliva they produce. 
• Increased fluid needs: As pregnancy progresses, the body needs more fluid to support the growing baby, the amniotic fluid, and the mother’s expanding blood volume. If a pregnant woman doesn’t consume enough water to meet her body’s new needs, she can get dehydrated, which in turn, can lead to a feeling of dry mouth and more dangerous symptoms.
• Mouth breathing: Nasal congestion, a common pregnancy symptom, can cause pregnant women to breathe through their mouths, especially at night. Mouth breathing dries out the tissues in the mouth and throat, often leading to dry mouth. 
• Medication side effects: Some pregnancy-safe medications, such as antihistamines and certain nausea medications, reduce saliva production as a pharmacological effect, leading to dry mouth. 

 

Is Dry Mouth During Pregnancy A Cause for Concern?

Dry mouth, whether pregnant or not, is unpleasant and can cause discomfort. Moreover, it can cause serious oral health issues, including an increased risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and infection. However, if recognized and managed properly, it does not need to be a cause for concern. The key is awareness: Pregnant women who are aware of the risks of dry mouth can take appropriate prevention and management measures. 

 

For example, dry mouth can cause serious oral health issues, pregnant women who are aware that dry mouth can cause major oral health problems can invest more in their oral health routine than usual. Daily brushing and flossing and regular dentist appointments can help prevent lasting oral health damage. 

 

When to See a Doctor for Dry Mouth During Pregnancy

Persistent dry mouth, or dry mouth that worsens with time, may be a sign of a more serious underlying condition such as gestational diabetes. If dry mouth persists despite increased fluid intake, and is accompanied by extreme thirst and frequent urination, it’s time to see a doctor. Additionally, if dry mouth results in mouth sores, bleeding gums, or difficulty eating or chewing, it’s time to make an appointment with a dentist or oral health specialist to see what treatment and/or relief options are available. 

 

Seven Tips for Managing Dry Mouth During Pregnancy

• Carry around a water bottle: Staying hydrated is crucial for pregnant women whose bodies need more fluid. Carrying around a water bottle makes drinking more accessible throughout the day. 
• Eat water-rich foods: Cucumbers, strawberries, watermelon, lettuce, and other water-rich foods can aid with hydration. 
• Cut down on caffeine and sugary drinks: Both caffeine and sugar aren’t ideal substances to take in during pregnancy, but in terms of oral health, caffeine increases the risk of dry mouth and sugar increases the risk of tooth decay and other dental problems. (Alcohol and nicotine also increase the risk of dry mouth, but for other reasons, these substances are strictly off-limits during pregnancy.)
• Use a humidifier at night: Using a humidifier at night will keep the air moist, which can help with the challenges of nasal congestion and mouth breathing. 
• Practice good oral hygiene: Good oral hygiene habits can help keep dry mouth symptoms at bay (though oral health does have a genetic component, so hygiene practices are not foolproof). Brushing twice a day, daily flossing, and using alcohol-free mouthwash can reduce the risk of oral health problems.
• Medication adjustment: If you’re taking medication that causes dry mouth as a side effect, talk to your doctor to see if there’s a different but similar alternative, or about changing your dosage to minimize the side effects. 
• Saliva substitutes: Talk to your doctor about the option of saliva substitutes, which typically come in the form of sugar-free gum, lozenges, sprays, and gels. These products provide artificial saliva to reduce dry mouth discomfort. It’s important to discuss these options with your doctor before taking anything to make sure they are safe for use during pregnancy. 

 

The Bottom Line

Dry mouth is a common symptom of pregnancy, and the first step in its management is drinking more water. The second step is implementing any of the above tips, which may relieve dry mouth symptoms. If a pregnant woman finds that nothing is working, she should waste no time in making an appointment with a healthcare provider to check that there’s no underlying issue and to discuss dry mouth treatment options. 

 

FAQS

Do a lot of pregnant women have dry mouth?

Yes, dry mouth is a typical symptom of pregnancy and is not cause for panic. It is cause, however, for caution and extra oral health care.

 

Why do pregnant women get dry mouth?

Changing hormones are the main reason pregnant women experience dry mouth, though the condition can also be caused by dehydration, mouth breathing, and certain medications. 

 

Why do changing hormones cause dry mouth?

The salivary glands, which produce saliva, are influenced by hormones in the body, especially estrogen and progesterone. When these hormones change in a woman’s body during pregnancy, the salivary glands are affected and may produce less saliva than usual. 

 

Does menopause also cause dry mouth?

Yes, dry mouth is a common symptom of menopause, also because of changing hormone levels. However, during menopause there are more treatment options available, because not all dry mouth treatments are safe for pregnant women. 

 

What dry mouth treatments are not safe for pregnant women?

Because not all dry mouth treatments are approved for use during pregnancy, it’s crucial for pregnant women to talk to their doctors before using them. This is true for electrostimulation devices such as the SaliPen, medications that increase salivary gland function, saliva substitutes, and all other dry mouth treatments.

 

When should a pregnant woman see a doctor for her dry mouth?

If dry mouth symptoms persist or worsen, or are accompanied by other symptoms like frequent urination and extreme thirst, it’s important to make an appointment with a healthcare provider. 

 

Where can one purchase the SaliPen?

The SaliPen can be purchased here.