TOOTH PAIN IN PREGNANCY

Pregnancy comes with new experiences, emotions and some uncomfortable side effects. One such concern is tooth pain while being pregnant. 

Causes of tooth pain in pregnancy:  

1.Caries: 

 The black discoloration which you see on your tooth is called caries or cavities. If the caries           has cross the two layers of the tooth that is enamel and dentin and has reached in the third layer that is the pulp, then you will experience pain in the tooth. 

2. Bleeding gums:  

During pregnancy as the body undergoes various hormonal changes. It is important to take care of your gums so that there is no gum swelling or tooth pain. 

3. Food lodgment:  

After eating food if the food particles gets stuck in between the teeth and then you experience pain then that can indicate that the space have been created due to the cavity or pathological tooth movement. 

4. Plaque accumulation:  

Your body’s natural response to cleaning off plaque goes up and down during pregnancy because of hormonal changes. It is important to treat plaque at an early stage because leaving it untreated will eventually leads to tooth pain in pregnancy. 

TREATMENTS: 

1. Pain due to tooth cavity:                        

If the caries has reached the third layer of the tooth that is the pulp then with proper protocols and advice from your dentist you can go for root canal treatment.

2. Pain due to food lodgement: 

Pain due to food lodgement or spacing can get fixed by doing tooth coloured fillings which will cure your pain and discomfort.

3. Treatment for bleeding gums:  

Scaling: the best way to treat is to get your gums cleaned by your dentist as only brushing wont help. 

4. Treatment for plaque accumulation:  

Brushing: brushing with ultra soft brush and by applying light pressure regularly twice a day will clean the plaque which gets settles on  your teeth during the day. 

Home remedies for tooth pain:  

1.  Avoiding food and drinks that cause sensitivity:  

Avoiding eating hot and cold food that cause tooth sensitivity. 

2. Rinsing your mouth with warm salty water: 

Rinsing your mouth with warm salty water will give you relief from pain and swelling on the affected area. 

3. Cold compress: 

Use ice pack 2-3 times a day to reduce swelling and pain. 

4. Taking pain killers: 

If you can’t visit your dentist then with proper guidance from your dentist and gynaecologist you can take paracetamol for the time as it is very mild and gives you relief from tooth pain during pregnancy. 

SOME COMMON QUESTIONS THAT MIGHT COME IN YOUR MIND:  

1. Does the type of tooth ache determine the gender of the baby? 

No, tooth ache has nothing to do with the gender of the baby. 

2. Can you remove tooth in pregnancy?  

Yes, with proper care and guidance from your dentist and gynaecologist   you can remove your tooth and the safest time period is between 4-6 months. 

3. Can a tooth infection harm your baby?  

Infection of any kind cannot be taken lightly. Infections cause pain and discomfort to the mother that directly or indirectly may affect the baby. Therefore, proper treatment is required. 

4. Is tooth filling safe during pregnancy?  

Yes, with proper care of dentist and gynaecologist you can get tooth filling. 

5. Is local anaesthesia safe during pregnancy?  

Yes, with care and by following all the protocols. 

6. Can root canal treatment be done during pregnancy? 

Yes, root canal treatment is safe during 2nd and 3rd trimester. 

7. Are dental x-rays safe during pregnancy? 

Yes, dental x-rays are safe to do during pregnancy with lead apron and thyroid collar on patient. 

PREVENTION: 

Prevention is better than cure we all have heard this and now you have to apply this. So, what all you need to do to prevent tooth pain in pregnancy? 

• Don’t skip your dental visit :  

Visit your dentist regularly to avoid facing dental problems. 

• Maintain your oral hygiene: 

Brushing your teeth two times a day and rinsing every time after vomiting. 

• Telling your dentist about your pregnancy: 

This will help your dentist to plan your treatment according. 

• Limiting high sugary food and carbohydrates: 

So that it doesn’t affect your oral health. 

INTERPRETATION:  

Don’t worry the good news is that all the dental problems arising during pregnancy are short lived and will soon become normal after delivering the baby as your hormonal levels will return to normal. 

You can’t control your body changes during pregnancy but you can take care of your body to avoid all these complications.

If you want to learn clinical skills then please visit GDS Dental