Dry mouth is a warning sign from the body of a pregnant mother. Sometimes pregnant mothers do not know that the symptoms are a warning sign from the body that is telling the mother that the body is not okay or that the baby in the womb is sending you some warning signs. Let’s see what our bodies need.

Dry mouth during pregnancy

Dry mouth is one of the common symptoms that pregnant women often experience. Most often, it starts in the first trimester of pregnancy. It is called dry mouth or Xerostomia, which is caused by hormonal changes during pregnancy that change the chemistry of the mother’s body. Normally, our body produces saliva to nourish and clean our lips all the time. Saliva helps digest food and prevents bacteria from entering the body. But when we do not produce enough saliva, our mouth will be dry and uncomfortable around the lips, which often worsens at night. In addition, mothers who have dry mouth often have nasal congestion and headaches.

Causes of dry mouth during pregnancy

Side Effects of Certain Medications Dry mouth is a common side effect of prescription and over-the-counter medications. These include antidepressants, bronchodilators, diuretics, and others. While this problem can be annoying and worrisome, it’s important not to stop taking any prescription medications while you’re pregnant unless your doctor tells you otherwise.

Dehydration: Even if you are getting your 8 glasses of water every day (a sufficient amount for a normal person), you may find yourself dehydrated. During pregnancy, a woman’s body requires more water to keep itself strong and to ensure the healthy development of the baby. Sometimes, dehydration can cause dry mouth during pregnancy. It can also lead to birth defects or premature birth of the baby. Therefore, increasing your water intake and keeping your baby safe is important.

Increased Blood Volume: The amount of blood circulating in a woman’s body increases during pregnancy, reaching a maximum volume about 50 percent higher than in a non-pregnant woman. As your body’s blood volume increases, your kidneys have to work overtime, resulting in an increased urination rate and leading to dehydration, which can lead to dry mouth.

The increased metabolic rate and various activities that occur during pregnancy, whether it is increased energy production to digest food for the mother and baby or other activities that require a lot of energy for the mother, cause the body to use water all the time. And you need to drink enough water. Not getting enough water can lead to dry mouth.

Various products that touch the lips, causing peeling lips, such as lipstick and lip balm that contain substances that dry the lips, especially lip balm that absorbs moisture from the lips, or it could be various medications such as antihistamines, decongestants, or blood pressure medications that have side effects of causing dry lips, etc.

Licking your lips: It is true that licking your lips can relieve dry lips, but it is only temporary. After the moisture has all disappeared, your lips will become drier again because the enzymes that help digest food in your saliva will dry out your lips. Therefore, licking your lips frequently will make them drier

Dry mouth can lead to complications.

Gestational diabetes is a disease that mothers often experience during pregnancy if they do not take good care of themselves and eat well enough. Sometimes, gestational diabetes can be the cause of dry mouth. It is caused by high blood sugar levels, which reduces the amount of water in the body and makes mothers urinate more often. If you have gestational diabetes, you may feel thirsty, have a burning sensation in your mouth, lips, etc.

Anemia: In addition to dry mouth, some mothers may also experience other symptoms such as a dry throat, sores at the corners of the lips, and a burning sensation on the tongue, which may be signs of anemia. When you experience these symptoms, you should consult your obstetrician and receive immediate treatment so that the doctor can check that you and your baby are safe.

High Blood Pressure When your blood pressure suddenly increases, you may experience dry mouth and severe headaches. Since increased blood pressure is affecting your health and your baby, you should consult your doctor immediately.

How to Treat Dry Mouth During Pregnancy

In fact, dry mouth is not a very worrisome symptom. Therefore, there is no special treatment method or need to take any medicine. Just let the pregnant mother drink more water to prevent dehydration, about 2-3 liters per day. This method will help reduce the chance of dry mouth and prevent the mother’s body from dehydration.

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How to Deal with Dry Mouth During Pregnancy

Drink water frequently. Moms should always have a water bottle nearby so they can sip water frequently. They can also eat small ice cubes to moisten their mouth and reduce dry mouth.

Try not to breathe through your mouth and breathe through your nose instead (unless you have a congested nose or a cold). Breathing through your mouth causes the water around your lips to evaporate, which can lead to dry mouth.

Steaming, doing treatments or inhaling steam into the body for 20 minutes a day can help protect the skin from dryness and the internal functioning of the body.

Avoid drinking alcohol or coffee during pregnancy. In addition to other dangers, it can also cause dehydration. Therefore, it should be avoided.

Avoid smoking during pregnancy. Smoking is known to cause a dry throat. It is also toxic to the body and the fetus. It is best to quit smoking completely during pregnancy.

You can use a humidifier or vaporizer in your bedroom if you feel the air in your room is too dry or if your living area is in a dry area.

Chew gum (preferably sugar-free) as chewing stimulates saliva production.

Practice good oral hygiene. Brush and floss your teeth in the morning, at night, and after every meal. Although it may seem excessive, these precautions are important.

Drink young coconut water, which is rich in vitamins and minerals, and also contains electrolytes that can balance the buffer in your blood.

Eat a healthy, balanced diet that includes green vegetables, whole grains, beans, and lean meats. Avoid foods high in sodium, which can cause dehydration and swelling.

However, whether you experience dry mouth or other symptoms that feel unusual with your body during pregnancy, you should see a doctor immediately to get checked and treated in time before it leads to danger that can affect both you and your baby in the womb. In addition, you should go to your doctor’s appointments regularly and can always consult with your doctor for good health and the completeness of your children who will soon be born into the world.

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Republished with permission from theAsianParent Thailand