It’s a known fact that pregnancy causes the body to go through some major transformations like stretch marks, weight gain and breast changes. But some changes are not what most women expect to occur during pregnancy, and to make matters worse, many of them are never talked about. Know that if you encounter any, or all, of these pregnancy symptoms, their effects are usually temporary—after you deliver and your hormones stabilize, which can take a few months, they tend to disappear on their own. But, if symptoms continue to persist, there are solutions to correct even the most dramatic changes.
Bad Breath
Excess saliva, typical of pregnancy, can leave you with bad breath. “Bad breath may also be the result of bacteria that’s accumulating under the gums and tongue,” says New York cosmetic dentist Irene Grafman, DDS. “Using a tongue scraper cleans the white film off the tongue,” she adds, noting that just as many bacteria live on the tongue as the teeth.
Metal Mouth
Known as dysgeusia, some pregnant women experience a strange metallic taste, because of escalated hormone levels. “A woman’s sense of taste and smell is heightened and she’s much more sensitive to a metal taste from silver fillings and high vitamin intake,” says Dr. Grafman. The easiest way to get rid of it is by rinsing with a pH-balanced mouthwash solution.
Breakouts
Hormones and oil are usually the culprits of pregnancy-induced breakouts. When it comes to treating acne, the options are limited. “Mainstay topical prescription strength anti-acne medications like Retin-A and benzoyl peroxide, as well as many oral antibiotics, cannot be used,” says Charlotte, NC, dermatologist Gilly Munavalli, MD. “We don’t know if they would definitely cause harm but we don’t want to take the risk to find out.”
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