What Are The Causes Of Teeth Pain During Pregnancy
Most pregnant women anticipate some discomfort throughout their pregnancy.
Everyone has heard stories about awful morning sickness, and its no secret that pregnancy brings swollen feet, back pain, fatigue, and brain fog.
But when it comes to teeth pain or sensitivity, this pregnancy problem can catch you off guard. Yet, dental issues during pregnancy are more common than some people realize.
The body goes through many changes during pregnancy you can thank hormonal shifts for this. The same way an increase in estrogen and progesterone may be responsible for symptoms like vomiting and nausea, these changes can also make you vulnerable to dental plaque.
This buildup of plaque can be the root cause of bleeding gums and inflammation, a condition known as pregnancy gingivitis. It affects up to 75 percent of pregnant women, so if you have it, youre not alone.
And depending on the severity of pregnancy gingivitis, you may develop periodontal disease. This is a serious gum infection that destroys the bones supporting your teeth, leading to tooth loss.
Some women also develop pregnancy tumors, also caused by too much plaque. Dont worry these sound scary, but theyre noncancerous growths on the gums.
Of course, cancerous or not, this overgrowth of tissues can cause tenderness and pain, making it difficult to eat or drink. The good news is that these tumors usually disappear after giving birth.
How Do I Avoid Toothache During Pregnancy
There are many things a woman can do to avoid tooth pain during pregnancy. This includes maintaining a good oral hygiene routine as well as using preventative measures like regular checkups before pregnancy to ensure that your oral health is in good shape. Some other ways to avoid tooth pain during pregnancy include:
- Visiting your dentist for more frequent checkups and cleanings
- Brushing and flossing regularly
- Avoiding brushing immediately after vomiting
- Using an antimicrobial mouthwash
- Avoiding excessive eating of sugary snacks
- Rinsing your mouth with salt water
A dentist will likely recommend a course of action to help prevent and treat tooth pain but there are also several at-home, natural remedies that you can use to help both prevent and treat tooth pain.
If you experience tooth pain while you are pregnant, here are some remedies which can help reduce your pain and get you back on the right track:
Find A Dentist Near You
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However, there are effective and science-backed toothache remedies to use for immediate toothache relief while waiting for an appointment.
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Minimizing Tooth Pain During Pregnancy
The easiest ways to mitigate discomfort in your smile during pregnancy is to take these proactive measures:
- Ensure that you brush your teeth twice a day and floss once a day.
- Rinse your mouth with one teaspoon of baking soda mixed into a glass of water after you get sick.
- Dont skip your dental checkup because of your pregnancy because its important for your oral and overall health.
Relationship Between Tooth Pain And Pregnancy
There are a few common reasons that cause unbearable tooth pain while a woman is pregnant.
- Morning sickness is one of the most common symptoms that most women go through. Due to the constant interaction of gastric acidic content with the tooth, sensitivity or caries develop, leading up to tooth pain.
- Dietary changes during pregnancy the practice of making pregnant women consume increased amounts of fats and dairy for a healthy baby heightens the chances of dental problems that would cause unbearable tooth pain later on.
- The growing baby requires calcium for apt growth. If the body does not get adequate amounts, it starts to take it from places you have it in-store i.e., your teeth making the toothache.
- During pregnancy, your gum changes, making it sensitive bleeding while brushing or floss can occur, causing tooth pain.
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Why Do I Have Sensitive Teeth During Pregnancy
When you are pregnant you can experience sensitive teeth and sore gums for a few reasons. This can include regular teeth sensitivity, toothache or sore inflamed and bleeding gums. You can have sore teeth during pregnancy for the following reasons:
- Hormones An increase in progesterone and estrogen can cause sensitive teeth in pregnancy. This can change the way your body reacts to the bacteria in your mouth, causing an increase in gingivitis.
- Increased blood flow An increase in your circulation when pregnant can cause your teeth to feel more sensitive when exposed to hot and cold food or drinks, or cold air. You may also feel teeth sensitivity when eating sweet or spicy foods.
- Gum disease A change in dietary and oral hygiene habits during pregnancy can also create an increased risk of gum disease alongside increased hormones.
- Your body goes through a lot of changes during pregnancy, as do you! Hormonal changes that trigger morning sickness and bloating can also cause sensitive teeth and sore gums during pregnancy.
Personal habits also change quite a bit and you may not even notice yourself paying less attention to your oral hygiene. You have probably noticed a change in your dietary wants and needs but maybe havent thought about how that may affect your teeth and gums.
The following video from dental hygienist Whitney explains why your teeth are sensitive during pregnancy, and what you can do about it, and she also debunks some myths.
Do I Have To Ask The Doctor In Charge Of Your Pregnancy For Permission
Yes, I strongly recommend that you notify your physician that you are going to take pain medication. Even if the dentist promises that there wont be any problems, you should call your gynecologist.
It is best to do this in advance. Let her know that you are going to see the dentist for a tooth extraction. Tell her that you will most likely have to take pain medication after the procedure. Listen to the advice and follow it.
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How To Treat Toothache During Pregnancy Naturally
As there are some concerns about taking care of toothaches in pregnancy using conventional dental practices, you may wonder if there are natural things you can try to relieve the toothache pain without harmful x-rays or medications. Some simple remedies are available that are all-natural and can be tried to relieve your toothache safely and naturally. Here are some things to try:
However, if you can prevent the happening of tooth pain during pregnancy, that would be better. So have dental exams regularly and keep good oral hygiene as before to avoid any gum and tooth problems.
Going To The Dentist During Pregnancy
Now that you know that pregnancy can make your wisdom tooth pain unbearable, as well as a wide variety of oral issues such as swollen gums and infection, you need to be prepared for visiting the dentist during your pregnancy. Many women make the mistake of thinking that its okay to skip their dental appointments once they are pregnant, but that is simply not true. Not only is it safe for you to visit the dentist and have procedures done, but its also the best thing for you to do for both you and your child.
The need for teeth removal during pregnancy is an occurrence that many women have encountered. So if you are experiencing any pain, please contact us right away to keep your teeth in good shape at any stage of life.
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Is Having Dental Work While Pregnant Safe
Pregnancy and dental work questions are common for expecting moms. Preventive dental cleanings and annual exams during pregnancy are not only safe but are recommended. The rise in hormone levels during pregnancy causes the gums to swell, bleed, and trap food causing increased irritation to your gums.
Preventive dental work while pregnant is essential to avoid oral infections such as gum disease, which has been linked to preterm birth.
Tooth Decay Treatment During Pregnancy
Your dentist might do a thorough examination of the clinical features and ask for the severity of your symptoms to diagnose tooth decay.
The dentist might also need to take a radiograph for the infected tooth. It is safe to get an X-ray during pregnancy, as radiation from dental X-rays are extremely low. The dentist might get the X-ray done by covering the area below the neck with a lead apron that minimize exposure to the abdomen and your throat will be covered with a leaded collar to protect the thyroid from radiation.
Periodontal diseases are related to many systemic diseases including gestational complications.
After determining the diagnosis and considering your general health, the dentist might suggest one of the following treatment modalities for tooth decay in pregnancy .
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Sensitive Teeth During Pregnancy: What To Expect And How To Cope
With pregnancy, discomfort comes with the territory. Your body is changing, so a sore back or trouble getting comfortable is par for the course. But while youre piling up pillows to help you sleep at night, you might notice another source of pregnancy discomfort: Your teeth. Sensitive teeth during pregnancy can happen to expect mothers, and knowing that other pregnant women suffer from the same symptoms might be somewhat comforting.
Nonetheless, heres what may be causing your sore teeth and gums, and how to deal with the pain safely:
Pregnancy Changes
Each of the hormonal changes happening in your body is equally the biggest culprits in tooth and gum pain during pregnancy. From increased blood flow to hyperactive hormones, pregnancy takes its toll. The most common causes of sensitive teeth during pregnancy include:
How to Respond
Although pregnancy can limit some of the medicinal intervention often used to treat sore teeth and gums, with some extra care and attention, you can keep your smile healthy during your prenatal nine months. Maintaining all the great hygiene habits youve used up to this point will keep you healthy and pain-free, so dont forget to give your mouth a little TLC, too. Here are four things you can do for your sensitive teeth during pregnancy:
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Risks Of Ignoring A Toothache While Pregnant
Believing the old word of mouth that having dental treatment during pregnancy can have adverse effects on the health of your baby, is exactly what will put you and your baby at risk.Trying to ignore the toothache by taking over-the-counter tooth pain medications, in an effort to get toothache pain relief to ease the discomfort and avoid treatment believing that this way you protect your baby,can cause serious health complications to both of you.
Ignoring a common pregnancy gingivitis, will allow the condition to develop into severe gum infection and periodontitis.An active infection is potentially threatening situation for both you and the fetus, and in no case you should postpone treatment until after pregnancy.
A tooth pain during pregnancy is a sign of an existing dental health issue that requires dental care by a dentist.An untreated dental condition can cause permanent damage to your teeth and gums, and lead to tooth loss, gum recession and jaw bone loss.
Avoiding treatment when having a pregnancy toothache may also cause complications to the birth of the child.Several studies have shown that pregnant women with periodontal disease have four to seven times increased risk of premature birth and delivering low weight babies.
You can and should have dental treatment for any dental problem causing a toothache during pregnancy.
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Can I See A Dentist During Pregnancy
In a word, yes. ACOG finds it very important that you take your tooth health seriously during pregnancy, and visit your dentist.
ACOG is the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. They are the group in the US who tends to recommend what should be done, medically, for pregnant people.
They recommend that OBs check a womans mouth at her first prenatal visit, and if her last dental visit was more than 6 months ago to recommend her to see her dentist soon.
How Are Dental Problems Treated During Pregnancy
If you have a dental problem that needs treatment, make sure your dentist knows that youre pregnant. Depending on your condition, you may be able to wait for treatment after your babys birth. Treatments that are safe during pregnancy include:
- Medicine, like pain relievers and antibiotics to treat infections. Your dentist can give you medicine thats safe for you and your baby during pregnancy. If your dentist prescribes you medicine, tell you prenatal care provider. Dont take any medicine without talking to your prenatal provider first.
- Local anesthesia. Anesthesia is medicine that lessens or prevents pain. Local anesthesia is used in a specific part of the body, like to numb your mouth for a dental filling or to have a tooth pulled. This medicine is safe to use during pregnancy.
You can have dental treatment any time during pregnancy. If its elective treatment , try to schedule it in the second trimester.
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Remedies For A Toothache While Pregnant
Some pregnant women may be more susceptible to gum and tooth pain due to hormonal changes. Possible causes of a toothache include decay or sensitivity. A dentist should oversee treatment for decay, cavities and gum disease, but things can be done at home to assist this process. The New York State Health Department points out that dental concerns should be treated early in pregnancy to reduce the potential risk to the unborn child 3.
Tooth Pain During Pregnancy: What You Can Do About It
Pregnancy is a magical time where youre absolutely glowing except, you know, for the swollen ankles, morning sickness, constant aches you get it. Tooth pain is yet another wonderful symptom of the baby you are growing. But dont worry, experiencing tooth pain while pregnant is relatively common you can thank hormones for this!
The easiest way to minimize tooth pain during pregnancy is maintaining good oral health habits, which includes:
- Not skimping on healthy habits make sure to brush twice a day and floss.
- Rinse your mouth with 1 tsp of baking soda in a glass of water after you get sick.
- Getting a dental checkup during your pregnancy.
If your tooth pain doesnt go away or is severe, seeyour dentist right away. Seeing a dentist while pregnant is totally safe and recommended and its good to get this taken care of before your hands are full with your new baby. If you need help finding a local dentist who takes your insurance, we can help you out. If you have cavities get them fixed before giving birth. You can pass cavity-causing germs to your baby by sharing utensils, food or even kissing. While you wait for your appointment, there are home remedies for a toothache while pregnant that can offer you short-term relief.
Saltwater RinseSwishing warm, salty water around in your mouth can help reduce inflammation, which might offer some relief. Swish the mixture around a few times before spitting it out.
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How Can I Get Relief From It In Pregnancy
Toothache during pregnancy can be very irritating and, in severe cases, may disrupt eating and drinking. Opening mouth, even to speak, becomes troublesome, leaving you teary-eyed and grouchy! Over the counter pain killers are a very common approach as it is considered that the toothache will go away, the same way it randomly cropped up. Really? Moreover, OTC medications can provide only temporary relief and may not be suited for consumption during pregnancy, and its best to stick to natural, home remedies.
When In Doubt Talk To Your Dentist
Is that sensitive tooth an anomaly, or an indication of something more serious? If you see your dentist on a regular basis, theyll be able to pull up your records and past X-rays to compare them to your described symptoms. Its safe to see your dentist during pregnancy, so when in doubt go ahead and make an appointment for an exam.
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Preventing Teeth Pain During Pregnancy
Your body is going through a ton of changes right now. Pregnancy may seem to amplify them. Since you probably have different dietary habits than you did pre-pregnancy or youre battling extra acid exposure due to morning sickness and heartburn there are some things you can do to keep your teeth healthy.
Causes Of Toothache When Pregnant
As your baby develops in the womb, your hormone levels increase, which can lead to tooth pain and other concerning dental symptoms, such as:
- Plaque buildup Your bodys natural response to fighting off plaque fluctuates during pregnancy, mostly due to hormonal changes. If left untreated, plaque can continue to accumulate, eventually hardening into tartar and increasing your risk of tooth decay.
- Morning sickness During the initial trimesters of pregnancy, vomiting is often a common occurrence for most women. Therefore, it is important to brush with an acid-neutralizing toothpaste to effectively and safely eliminate stomach acids that can contribute to tooth erosion. Otherwise, your enamel begins to weaken, opening the doorway for further tooth pain when pregnant due to sensitivity and cavities.
- Gum disease Because of hormonal changes, most women are more susceptible to contracting gingivitis during pregnancy, leaving gums sore, tender, and vulnerable to more severe issues down the road.
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