A 28-year-old patient who is pregnant with her first child reports increased dental caries (cavities) since becoming pregnant. How should the nurse explain the likely cause for this change?

Question

1. "When a woman is pregnant, her teeth lose calcium and she is more susceptible to getting cavities."
2. "It may be necessary to pay extra attention to dental care while you're pregnant, especially if you're vomiting frequently."
3. "Each woman experiences changes that affect her teeth while she's pregnant."
4. "During pregnancy, tooth enamel softens and the woman is more susceptible to getting cavities."

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 2
Rationale 1: No demonstrable changes occur in the teeth of pregnant women.
The dental caries that sometimes accompany pregnancy are probably
caused by inadequate oral hygiene and dental care, especially if the
woman has problems with bleeding gums or nausea and vomiting.
Rationale 2: The dental caries that sometimes accompany pregnancy are probably
caused by inadequate oral hygiene and dental care, especially if the
woman has problems with bleeding gums or nausea and vomiting.
Rationale 3: No demonstrable changes occur in the teeth of pregnant women.
Rationale 4: The dental caries that sometimes accompany pregnancy are probably
caused by inadequate oral hygiene and dental care, especially if the
woman has problems with bleeding gums or nausea and vomiting.