TikTok/princxssglitterhead
- TikToker @princxssglitterhead has gone viral from her transformation from toothless to gorgeous.
- The mom of four experienced tooth decay and loss throughout her pregnancies.
- She's sharing her experience with dentures to help other young people with tooth problems.
- Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.
A mom who lost her teeth during pregnancy now uses clip-in dentures, and her transformation has gone viral on TikTok.
Alicia, who goes by "princxssglitterhead" on TikTok and whose last name isn't public, experienced multiple teeth problems and repairs throughout her four pregnancies.
Her before-and-after TikTok video shows her going from toothless and makeup-less to dolled up with pearly whites in order to help other young people embarrassed about their dental issues.
"Once we get to a point with our teeth, we don't even envision it better," Alicia said in an earlier YouTube video. "We're just too complacent, and I accepted it as my fate - you just have crappy teeth and you're never going to like 'em."
Alicia experienced dental issues with each of her four pregnancies
Alicia didn't have dental problems growing up, except for one front tooth that grew in small. When she got pregnant with her first baby at age 21, she experienced some toothaches but wasn't too concerned. "I had no idea how much the pregnancy was really affecting my body until I had my baby," she said on YouTube.
At that point, her front two teeth broke and she got partial replacements.
"It took a huge hit on me emotionally that I was losing my teeth," she said. "[My husband] married me with perfect teeth ... and then the next year his wife is missing front teeth."
Alicia, now 36, had three more babies before turning 31, each one exacerbating dental issues and prompting a variety of treatments, which were limited by what she could afford. She said she remembers calling the dentist after her second baby "feeling like it was the end of my life."
Then, in her early 30s, Alicia found a dentist that worked out a long-term financial plan and, over the course of about year, created the clip-in dentures she's showing off today. In all, it cost $16,900 that she's paying off over five years.
"It's been over two years for me, and I'm really still feeling like so stunned that I feel like myself," she said.
Hormonal changes, genetics, and nutrition can affect your teeth and gums in pregnancy
Alicia said genetics and mediocre nutrition contributed to her tooth decay. She'd also feared the dentist ever since throwing up after accidentally swallowing fluoride during an appointment as a kid. "That led me to delay treatment," she said.
According to the March of Dimes, tooth problems can arise during pregnancy due to hormonal, diet, and behavioral changes. For instance, moms-to-be may avoid flossing or brushing their teeth much if it makes them nauseous.
But diligent dental care during pregnancy is critical to prevent cavities, gingivitis (or swollen gums), tooth decay, and "pregnancy tumors" or sensitive benign lumps on the gums.
Pregnant people should take care to brush their teeth twice daily, especially after vomiting from morning sickness; eat healthfully; and visit their dentist at least once during those nine months.
Alicia recommended calcium supplements, too, and not hesitating to shop around for a dentist who will meet your needs.
"It's really important that you explore your options," she said. "Just look into it. You don't have to make any decisions, just let your curiosity find you what you need. Don't be afraid to look."