Are you experiencing tooth pain during pregnancy? Tooth pain in pregnancy is a common complaint, with around 50% of pregnant women reporting it. It can range from mild discomfort to full-blown pain and dysfunction. There are many reasons for tooth pain in pregnancy, but the most common ones include decreased jawbone strength, changes in dental bone growth, food sensitivities, and hormonal fluctuations. Luckily, many remedies are available if you struggle with tooth pain during pregnancy. (1, 2)
Tooth pain can be caused by a number of factors, such as muscular tension or arthritis, tooth decay or gum disease, and oral contraceptive use. In almost all cases, the best treatments involve home remedies that do not require medical attention.
How to relieve Tooth pain in pregnancy?
Initially, visit the dentist.
Don’t suffer in silence if you have a dental ache that won’t go away. Do not hesitate to mention that you are pregnant when you visit the dentist immediately away.
Dental X-rays and specific dental procedures are safe to have while pregnant. Your dentist, however, might advise postponing some procedures until at least the second trimester, depending on how far along you are.
If you require a filling or a root canal, which both require local or general anesthesia and may raise the chance of miscarriage in the first trimester, this could occur.
However, the Mayo Clinic states that there is a lesser risk of adverse consequences when dentists postpone some treatments because your baby’s important organs are developed by the second trimester.
Maintain your cleaning schedule.
To be clear, though, routine dental cleanings are safe for your infant, so you should keep on scheduling them. In reality, sensitivity brought on by too much plaque may be eliminated by having your teeth cleaned.
Pregnancy gingivitis can be treated with a cleaning. Your dentist could even advise more regular cleanings when you’re pregnant — possibly every 3 months rather than every 6 months — because of the increased risk of gingivitis. (3)
The discomfort caused by pregnancy tumors, the non-cancerous overgrowths on your gums, can also be relieved by removing plaque. Just be aware that it’s okay if the tumor doesn’t go gone till after delivery.
if more specialized care is required, get it
Yet occasionally a tumor makes it difficult to eat. If so, you’ll need to wait until the second or third trimester before your dentist will contemplate removal. The area around your gums will be numbed by local anesthetic during this treatment.
A tooth extraction in the second trimester can stop pain and sensitivity if you develop periodontal disease while pregnant and your dentist is unable to rescue a loose tooth.
After that, you can talk to your dentist about tooth replacement options like a fixed bridge or dental implant, both of which are safe after the second trimester.
Home remedies for tooth pain in pregnancy
Although there are at-home remedies available, visiting a dentist or dental hygienist is the most secure and efficient way to treat toothaches while pregnant. The majority of routine dental treatments, like professional cleaning, are completely risk-free for both the mother and fetus. Simply inform your dentist that you are expecting, and they will take particular care when treating you.
You can attempt a variety of home remedies to assist relieve toothache discomfort while pregnant. Baking soda is a frequent cure because it helps to neutralize acids and fend against bacteria and deterioration. However, be careful not to scrub your teeth too hard with baking soda as this might wear away your enamel.
The following are some of the best home remedies for tooth pain in pregnancy:
1. Ice
Apply an ice pack to your painful teeth for 30 minutes each day. This will ease inflammation and reduce pain. (4)
2. Ingestion of Epsom salts
Dissolve 1 teaspoon of Epsom salts in 8 ounces of water and drink slowly. This will help reduce jaw tightness and relieve toothache and soreness.
3. Hot compress
Mix 1 tablespoon of coconut oil with 1 cup of hot water and put the compound on your temples or neck for 20 minutes every evening before bedtime to soothe your tender ENT relays.
4. Tea
Tea consumption has been shown to have a soothing effect on the gums and teeth – brew 2 cups of tea without sugar and add honey to taste for 3–4 days per week. steeped for 3 minutes before drinking.
5. Rubbing alcohol
Mix 2 tablespoons of rubbing alcohol with enough water to make a paste and apply it directly to your painful teeth twice daily until the discomfort decreases. Make sure to rinse your mouth afterward! (5)
How to prevent Tooth pain in pregnancy
You’ll want to reduce the likelihood of tooth pain given everything you’ll go through physically throughout pregnancy. Excellent oral hygiene practices are the first step in achieving this, which is crucial given the possibility of developing dental issues. What you can do is:
- Avoid splurging on dental treatment. Your fatigue and aches will increase much though it can be tempting to skip brushing your teeth before night, don’t. Maintain a regular schedule. You should floss once daily and brush your teeth at least twice daily. Use mouthwash and toothpaste with fluoride to strengthen your teeth and prevent cavities.
- After vomiting, drink water or rinse your mouth. If you are ill in the morning. This assists in cleaning teeth of stomach acid. Nevertheless, hold off on brushing your teeth right away. It may sound strange, but after vomiting, your mouth becomes more acidic. Waiting at least an hour after vomiting before cleaning your teeth can prevent more harm than good.
- Mention your pregnancy to your dentist. Determine if you require cleanings more frequently. Speak with your health insurance company as well. During pregnancy, some insurance policies pay for additional dental cleanings.
- Eat fewer carbohydrates and sugary meals. Snack on nutritious items like fruit, whole-wheat crackers, and raw vegetables. (6)
Summary
The good news is that pregnancy-related dental problems are frequently transient and get better after giving birth when your hormone levels return to normal.
While you have no control over the changes your body goes through when you are pregnant, you do have power over how well you take care of your teeth. Throughout pregnancy, schedule routine dental cleanings and let your dentist know if you experience any tooth pain in pregnancy.
Frequently asked questions
How can I sleep with Tooth pain during pregnancy?
Does toothache affect the unborn baby?
illness, either directly or indirectly. Thus, to avoid problems, seek the appropriate therapy for a tooth infection.
Can a dentist pull an infected tooth while pregnant?
References
1. Detman, L. A., Cottrell, B. H., & Denis‐Luque, M. F. (2010). Exploring dental care misconceptions and barriers in pregnancy. Birth, 37(4), 318-324.
2. Krüger, M. S., Lang, C. A., Almeida, L. H., Bello-Corrêa, F. O., Romano, A. R., & Pappen, F. G. (2015). Dental pain and associated factors among pregnant women: an observational study. Maternal and child health journal, 19, 504-510.
3. Bao, J., Huang, X., Wang, L., He, Y., Rasubala, L., & Ren, Y. F. (2022). Clinical practice guidelines for oral health care during pregnancy: A systematic evaluation and summary recommendations for general dental practitioners. Quintessence Int, 53, 362-373.
4. Waters, B. L., & Raisler, J. (2003). Ice massage for the reduction of labor pain. Journal of midwifery & women’s Health, 48(5), 317-321.
5. Stratton, K., Howe, C., & Battaglia, F. C. (Eds.). (1996). Fetal alcohol syndrome: Diagnosis, epidemiology, prevention, and treatment. National Academies Press.
6. Guimicheva, B., Czuprynska, J., & Arya, R. (2015). The prevention of pregnancy‐related venous thromboembolism. British journal of hematology, 168(2), 163-174.
