Pregnancy is one of the most memorable phases in woman’s life that ensures healthy and safe pregnancy for nine months. This will consist of getting prenatal care on time, eating a well-balanced diet, doing regular exercises and giving up certain bad habits. Though these are necessary to improve and maintain overall condition at the time of pregnancy, make sure you do not ignore your dental health. An unexpected problem with pregnancy is tooth sensitivity or severe ache but by maintaining good oral care habits and seeing a dentist, you can keep your teeth and gums strong and healthy.
Causes of toothache when you are pregnant
Most women suffer from some kind of discomfort during the pregnancy period.
- It is common to suffer from morning sickness when you are pregnant. This will bring swollen back, feet, fatigue, pain and other problems.
- When it is about teeth sensitivity or pain, the problem seems to be very common during pregnancy.
- Your body passes through many changes when you are pregnant like hormonal shifts. So, if there is an increase in progesterone and estrogen, then this might be responsible for certain symptoms like nausea and vomiting.
- The accumulation of plaque can be the major cause of inflammation and bleeding gums.
- Based on the severity of your pregnancy gingivitis, you might suffer from periodontal disease. This gum infection can cause damage to the bones supporting your teeth which can lead to tooth loss.
- Some women may develop pregnancy tumors that occur due to extreme plaque. These are actually non-cancerous growth on the gums.
Treatments for teeth pain during pregnancy
- Visit your dentist for routine check ups – When you suffer from toothache that does not go away, it is advised to see a dentist immediately and inform about your pregnancy. You need to conduct dental X – rays and medical procedures at the time of pregnancy. Based on how far you are, the dentist will suggest postponing the treatments till second trimester. This can occur when you require a root canal or filling that requires local anesthesia and can increase the risks of miscarriage during your first trimester. As the main organs of your kid develop by second trimester, there are fewer risks if the dentist delays some treatments.
- Maintain your mouth cleanings – Conducting dental cleanings in a regular basis won’t cause any harm to your child and continuing mouth cleaning is something quite normal. By cleaning the teeth properly, you can eliminate the sensitivity that occurs from extreme plague. Cleaning can help in the treatment of pregnancy gingivitis and your dentist can suggest mouth cleanings often while you are pregnant. Besides, the removal of plague may lessen the discomfort due to pregnancy tumors on the gums.
- Know about specific treatments when needed – Having a tumor can obstruct your eating habits. In this situation, the dentist may ask to remove the tooth but you might have to wait for your second or third semester. The method involves using anesthesia for numbing the area completely around the gums. When you suffer from periodontal disease while being pregnant and the dentist cannot save a lose tooth, then extraction might help to ease the pain in the second trimester. You will have to discuss with the dentist about different options for replacing tooth such as fixed bridge or dental implant as both of them are considered to be safe after second trimester.
Home remedies for toothache during pregnancy
When the dentist delays your dental treatment till second trimester, there are several things to do at home and ease the pain. You may begin by knowing about the foods or drinks that can be the reason for your tooth sensitivity.
Some women have found that the problem of sensitivity increases after eating or drinking hot foods or beverages while others have been more sensitive to cold foods or drinks. If you use a mouthwash that has some alcohol, then this too might worsen tooth pain.
You can rinse mouth by using warm or salty water to get some relief from inflammation and swelling. Put a cold compress on the outside of your cheek to get rid of the inflammation.
Consult with the dentist and know if you can take over-the-counter antiseptic with benzocaine or pain relievers such as – acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil).
How you can avoid toothache at the time of pregnancy
- Do not avoid practicing dental care habits – It is quite convenient to brush teeth before going to bed and follow proper routine. Make sure you brush at least two times a day and floss daily. Use a fluoride based toothpaste and mouthwash to make your teeth healthy and prevent the attack of cavities.
- Drink water or rinse mouth properly – If you suffer from morning sickness, then drink water or rinse your mouth to get rid of acid from the teeth. The level of acidity in your mouth increases after you vomit. Brushing can do more harm than good and so, it is advised to wait for one hour after vomiting and before brushing teeth.
- Inform dentist about your pregnancy – You have to talk to the dentist andk now whether you require frequent mouth cleanings. This will ensure you have safe pregnancy and maintain clean mouth.
- Restrict the intake of sugary food items – You should not ear sugary foods and drinks that can cause damage to your teeth. The less you have them during your pregnancy, the better it will be for your and baby’s health.
The good part is that dental complications arising at the time of pregnancy are generally short-lived. They can help to improve your oral condition after you give birth and when the hormone level gets back to normal. You just cannot control certain changes which your body passes through while being pregnant but you can certainly take care of your dental health. You can visit emergencydentistinlondon.co.uk to book an emergency appointment with the dentist for mouth cleanings during pregnancy and inform if you suffer from toothache.
