pregnancy/bf destroying my teeth!

[MrsWhite]

I had pretty bad teeth before, it was a rare occurance to go to the dentist and have no cavaties (my whole life), but never more than 2... maybe 3 at a time.  I brush (w/fluoride, I'm not convinced its bad topically) and FLOSS DAILY.  I went to the dentist when DD was around 4 months old, had x-rays like I do every year and they tell me I have like 9 cavaties - ALL IN BETWEEN MY TEETH!  I get a second opinion by a more conservative dentist and he says the same thing - all there, but he only filled the ones that were larger and left a few smaller ones.  I went back again this year for x-rays and I have 5 new cavaties all in between teeth again (as well as the ones left over from last time).  The hygenist is always totally baffled when I say I floss every day and hardly eat any sugar and no soda ever.  These cavaties never caused any pain by the way, unless I'm eating some filled with sugar (like gummy candy or chocolate or something)

The only difference I can think of to explain the drastic increase in cavaties

- I eat a lot healthier now (more organic, only whole wheat, some sprouted wheat, a lot less processed foods, a lot less sugar)

- pregnancy & breastfeeding (and nearly exclusively 18+ months, dd was slow with solids)

- I had amalgam fillings replaced at non-holistic dentist (no other side effects though)  

Could preg/bf cause this awfulness and why?  Am I super deficient in some mineral/vitamin that my body is stealing from my teeth (and prob other bones)?  How do I find out what it is?  We def can't afford holistic dentist (I'm assuming and our insurance would pay for 0 of it).  I hate milk and probably don't get enough calcium, but I do eat homemade, low sugar yogurt every day and I'm trying to drink more milk but I've read its not really a good source of calcium anyway unless its raw which we can't afford (almost 50/month for 1 gallon a week where we live!).  I'm pregnant now and I'm absolutely terrified.... I really can't have this happening every time I get pregnant, I should just get dentures now (I'm 23 by the way!)!  

[Xavismom]

No solutions for you, just support!

My mother and I both went through terrible teeth issues during our pregnancies.

While my mom was carrying me, one of her teeth started crumbling, and had to be pulled, and she got many cavities.

While I was preg with my DS, I lost TWO teeth the same way my mom did... they had to be pulled. THANKFULLY they are both way back teeth, so its not noticible and doesnt affect my chewing, but it makes me feel awful to know they are gone. I also developed cavities, and I am NOT normally prone to getting them. It really stinks.

My mom says my grandmother lost some teeth during her pregnancies as well.

Edit to add, I eat a VERY healthy diet, nutrient dense, no processed foods, refined sugars, etc.

[Koalamom]

Sure sounds like something is up. What are you doing to make sure you have the nutrients you need? And do you have other issues going on besides teeth? How are you with gluten and dairy allergy wise? And are you getting enough vit D? And how are your kids teeth?
(sorry for all the questions, just trying to help you figure this out!)

[MrsWhite]

Originally Posted by Koalamom 

Sure sounds like something is up. What are you doing to make sure you have the nutrients you need? And do you have other issues going on besides teeth? How are you with gluten and dairy allergy wise? And are you getting enough vit D? And how are your kids teeth?
(sorry for all the questions, just trying to help you figure this out!)

I take rainbow light prenatals this time... last time I took crappy ones.  I also take fermented CLO.  I haven't had any testing done to see if I'm deficient in anything though.  

No other issues besides teeth.  Good with gluten and dairy, I've thought of cutting gluten to see if it had any effect on the cavity problem.  My DDs teeth are good so far, she's only 2 though, but no dark spots.  I think I'm getting enough D - I'm outside usually every day (but was hardly ever outside with the previous pregnancy and when DD was little) and my prenatal has 400 iu of vit d.  

  edit to add:  I didn't continue taking any vitamins while I was nursing DD.  

[frugalmum]

I am in the same boat.  I had pretty good teeth/ gums until I started having children.  With each child things got worse, teeth pulled (thankfully back teeth), cavities, horrible gum bleeding.  I have found that taking a multivitamin w/ iron + extra 400 mcg folic acid helps.  Also buy the book "Kiss Your Dentist Goodbye," she has a daily care plan that includes various rinses and brushing-- nothing fancy or expensive.  I don't like colored/ flavored mouthwash so I use diluted hydrogen peroxide instead of the rinses she suggests.  She also says it's imperative to disinfect your toothbrush before and after each brushing, with listerine (or something else, I use hydrogen peroxide).

[MrsWhite]

Originally Posted by frugalmum 

I am in the same boat.  I had pretty good teeth/ gums until I started having children.  With each child things got worse, teeth pulled (thankfully back teeth), cavities, horrible gum bleeding.  I have found that taking a multivitamin w/ iron + extra 400 mcg folic acid helps.  Also buy the book "Kiss Your Dentist Goodbye," she has a daily care plan that includes various rinses and brushing-- nothing fancy or expensive.  I don't like colored/ flavored mouthwash so I use diluted hydrogen peroxide instead of the rinses she suggests.  She also says it's imperative to disinfect your toothbrush before and after each brushing, with listerine (or something else, I use hydrogen peroxide).

Thanks for the tip - the disinfecting the toothbrush is very interesting!  I'll start doing that!
 

[Xavismom]

Originally Posted by frugalmum 

I am in the same boat.  I had pretty good teeth/ gums until I started having children.  With each child things got worse, teeth pulled (thankfully back teeth), cavities, horrible gum bleeding.  I have found that taking a multivitamin w/ iron + extra 400 mcg folic acid helps.  Also buy the book "Kiss Your Dentist Goodbye," she has a daily care plan that includes various rinses and brushing-- nothing fancy or expensive.  I don't like colored/ flavored mouthwash so I use diluted hydrogen peroxide instead of the rinses she suggests.  She also says it's imperative to disinfect your toothbrush before and after each brushing, with listerine (or something else, I use hydrogen peroxide).

I am so sad to hear you lost some teeth too. Its been really hard for me to deal with emotionally for some reason.