Which statement best describes overall changes in saliva during pregnancy?

• A. Salivary flow remains constant; buffers increase
• B. Salivary flow decreases in the first and third trimesters and increases in the second; buffers decrease; minerals decline
• C. Salivary flow increases in all trimesters; buffers increase
• D. Salivary flow decreases uniformly; pH rises

Answer: (B)

Pregnancy brings hormonal changes that alter saliva production and its composition. The pattern across trimesters shows salivary flow tends to decrease in the first and third trimesters while it may rise in the second. At the same time, the saliva’s buffering capacity—largely due to bicarbonate and phosphate—tends to decline, making it less effective at neutralizing acids. Mineral content in saliva, including calcium and phosphate, also drops during pregnancy, which can reduce the saliva’s ability to support remineralization. Together, these changes can increase susceptibility to dental caries and other oral health issues if oral care isn’t maintained.

The other descriptions don’t fit this trimester-specific pattern: constant flow with increased buffers doesn’t reflect the observed fluctuations and decreased buffering; an increase in flow in all trimesters with buffers increasing contradicts the reported decrease in buffering; a uniform decrease in flow with a rise in pH doesn’t align with the described buffering and mineral changes.