What is known about microplastics and pregnancy?
In 2021, Italian researchers published a study in which they found microplastics in placentas for the first time. They examined six placentas and found plastic particles in four of them, on both the mother's and the baby's side. The particles were very small, less than a hundredth of a millimetre.
That sounds worrying, but it's important to know what the study doesn't say. It was small, and it shows that the particles are there, not that they harm the baby. The researchers believe the plastic enters the body through food, drink and the air we breathe. What it means for health is not yet known, and research is ongoing.
Playing it safe, where it's easy
You can't avoid plastic completely, and nobody needs to try. But while researchers don't have the answers yet, some people choose to cut down where it's easy and doesn't cost much. It's a cautious choice, not a guarantee.
The toothbrush is one of the easiest swaps. It's in your mouth twice a day and gets replaced roughly every three months. With a bamboo handle and plastic-free bristles, that's four fewer plastic brushes per person per year.
Your gums get more sensitive when you're pregnant
During pregnancy, hormones make the gums react more strongly to bacteria. They can become swollen and red and start to bleed when you brush. This is common and is called pregnancy gingivitis.
1177, Sweden's national health information service, gives three pieces of advice:
- Brush gently with a soft toothbrush.
- Clean between your teeth with floss or an interdental brush.
- Contact your dentist if you have problems with your teeth or gums.
If you choose a plastic-free brush, the same applies as for everyone else: it should be soft. Hard bristles can irritate gums that are already sensitive. Among natural bristles, horsehair is a good choice here, because it is softer than wild boar bristle, which is otherwise the most common.
Plastic-free dental floss
The advice to clean between your teeth matters even more when your gums are sensitive. Ordinary dental floss is made of plastic, and some also contain PFAS, which have been linked to certain health risks. If you want to avoid plastic here too, there is silk dental floss. It is lightly waxed with plant wax so it glides smoothly between the teeth, and it is biodegradable.
We will soon be adding silk dental floss to our range.
Feeling sick? Rinse your mouth with water after vomiting, and wait a while before brushing your teeth. That advice also comes from 1177.
More bathroom swaps
The toothbrush is a good first step, but there are more things in the bathroom that are easy to swap for plastic-free alternatives. We have collected a few in 5 plastic-free swaps that actually make a difference.
And once your baby has arrived and gets their first tooth, you can read our guide to toothbrushes for children.