You've no doubt heard the old saying about a woman losing a tooth for every pregnancy? Well, apparently there's some truth in it after all. Several dental problems can strike while a woman is expecting a child.

It's all due to those pesky hormones. Four of these, essential to the pregnancy, are produced in greater quantities than normal, and this sudden spurt of hormones changes the way our gums react to plaque.

An article from the University of Manitoba says:

During pregnancy there is a special need for good oral hygiene because pregnancy may exaggerate the body's normal response to dental plaque. This is because four basic hormones vital to the continuation of pregnancy are produced in large quantities during the gestation period. This hormonal increase exaggerates the way the gum tissues react to the bacteria in plaque, resulting in an increased likelihood that a pregnant women will develop gum disease if her daily plaque control is not adequate. It is important to note, that it is the plaque, and not the increased hormone levels that is the major cause of pregnancy gingivitis.

About Dental Care offers some excellent advice on oral hygiene during pregnancy, including regular visits to the dentist and thorough brushing and flossing.