Specialist Doctors USA

Pregnancy is a fantastic journey- full of surprises and twists. While for many women passes like a breeze, for some, it is challenging, as they become prey to specific medical and dental health conditions. From nausea to dizziness, diabetes, and tooth pain in pregnancy, women can find it hard to carry on with their routine lifestyles.

Pregnant women cannot take most of the medications or undergo dental treatments- as it can harm their unborn baby.

Therefore, the question is, with no high-dose medications or treatments, how are they supposed to manage their sensitivity and toothache in pregnancy?

 Worry not, we have all the answers to make your pregnancy a beautiful experience.

tooth pain in pregnancy

Causes of Tooth Pain in Pregnancy

Do you feel sensitivity in your teeth to extreme temperatures? Do your teeth hurt during pregnancy?

If yes, then what causes toothache in pregnancy?

It is evident that the symptom is never treated without eliminating its cause. For instance, if you have a toothache in pregnancy due to a tooth infection, it will not go away with simple medications.

Here are some of the common causes that cause tooth pain in pregnancy:

Plaque accumulation in your mouth

Dental plaque is a sticky layer that forms naturally on your teeth. When you brush daily, and with your body’s defense mechanism, it goes away with no harm done. However, your body has a lower defense mechanism during pregnancy because your hormones keep fluctuating.

If you do not maintain oral hygiene and don’t visit your dentist regularly, plaque buildup causes dental problems. If you do not brush properly and clean regularly, this soft layer of plaque will turn into a hard layer of calculus (tartar).

This layer will suffocate your teeth and gums while harboring bacteria- hence your tooth hurts during pregnancy.



Nausea and morning sickness 

Most women often complain of teeth sensitivity in early pregnancy. Especially the ones who suffer from nausea and morning sickness.

In early pregnancy, vomiting is often expected as the body adjusts to the “new changes of hormones.” When this happens in the morning, the stomach from the acid can accumulate in your mouth after you vomit.

Therefore, when you brush your teeth in the morning, you can rub off the acid on your teeth. If this happens, it can cause tooth erosion that weakens the outer layer of the teeth (enamel). It causes sensitivity and tooth pain in pregnancy.

Gum-related problems that make teeth hurt in pregnancy

This is one of the most common problems faced by pregnant women. Due to hormonal changes, the gums become easy prey for bacteria leading to inflammation- gingivitis.

In addition, gum diseases can occur because of certain medications. If this happens, the gums become sore, swollen, painful, and vulnerable to other dental problems such as toothache in pregnancy.

Moreover, most women experience teeth sensitivity in early pregnancy due to gum diseases.

Tooth infection while pregnant- first trimester (early pregnancy)

During pregnancy, most dental problems occur dying the first trimester.

In the first trimester, the body faces the highest hormonal changes. The body’s immune system weakens and cannot cope extensively with the changes.

As gum problems cause teeth sensitivity in early pregnancy, another common symptom is tooth infection in the first trimester.

As teeth weaken, plaque build-ups and gums become inflamed, they all create an ideal environment for a tooth infection. Eventually, it all adds up to toothache during pregnancy.

Toothache in pregnancy- Gender prediction

In some parts of the world, it is a common myth that toothache in pregnancy can differ for each gender. People say you may have higher chances of tooth pain in pregnancy if it is a girl, while some say the same for the boy.

However, there is no concrete evidence.

Pregnancy is all about the development of the babies- no matter what the gender is. Babies suck up all the nutrients from their mothers. The mother has compromised oral and overall health with all nausea and hormonal changes. 

Pre-existing dental problems

If you have been neglecting your oral health for some time, your mouth might have been hiding dental problems that you do not know about.

If you are experiencing tooth pain in pregnancy, you get a dental checkup. Therefore, the dental professional can assess your oral health and guide you accordingly.

 

Therefore, you should never ignore the symptoms if your tooth hurts during pregnancy.

tooth pain in pregnancy- remedy and treatment

Tooth Pain in Pregnancy- Remedy and Treatment

Many medical and dental treatments are prohibited for pregnant women. No dentist will ever go for treatment with medicine, especially in the first and last trimester.

 If the patient has severe tooth pain during pregnancy with a progressive dental problem, the dentist will do a minimally invasive procedure only in the second trimester with extra precautions.

Why not will you get dental treatment for tooth pain during pregnancy?

Dental professionals treat the patients in a particular position on the dental chair to gain proper access. Moreover, dental procedures can be lengthy and usually last more than 30 minutes, even if it is simple teeth cleaning.

If you get a tooth infection or even wisdom teeth growing toothache during pregnancy, the dentist will try to defer the treatment and prescribe pregnancy-safe medications.

In addition, if the dentist has to perform a procedure for toothache during pregnancy, they will do it in the second trimester, in less time, and only to relieve the pain. Furthermore, the position of the pregnant patient on the dental chair will be different and more upright.

Here are some of the treatment options if your tooth hurts in pregnancy:

Consult with your dentist

If you experience tooth pain in pregnancy, go to your dentists. Get a thorough evaluation and inform your dentist about the pregnancy details. The dentist will inform you what dental x-rays and treatments are safe for you.

If you are in early pregnancy- the first trimester, the dentist will ask you to wait until the second trimester.

Upkeep with dental cleanings

During pregnancy, after your dentist’s recommendation, it is better to get dental cleaning frequently to maintain oral hygiene. The dentists will also perform teeth cleaning in parts. Instead of 30 minutes, the dentist will perform the procedure in 15-20 minutes and ask you to come again after some time.

However, if there is no tooth pain during pregnancy and your dental health is optimum, the dentist will guide you to maintain hygiene at home. They will defer all the treatments after pregnancy.

Only specific treatments

You will need instant treatments if you have a severe tooth infection, a growing wisdom tooth, bleeding gums, or a tumor.

During the second trimester, the dentist can perform root canal therapy to relieve the pressure of an infected tooth or an extraction of the tumor. Only dental treatment is entirely safe.

This can help relieve the sensitivity and toothache during pregnancy.

tooth pain relieve in pregnancy with home remedies

What if you cannot get dental treatment?

Often, your health will not allow it, or you cannot wait for the second trimester if you are experiencing extreme toothache and tooth sensitivity in early pregnancy.

Then, what should you do? The answer is that you can try some pregnancy-safe home remedies.

How to relieve tooth pain in pregnancy with home remedies?

When your tooth hurts during pregnancy, asking your dentist to prescribe over-the-counter, safe medicine for pregnancy is always best. However, for instant relief, you can try the following:

Aloe Vera- A herbal pain relief

It is a known antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal plant that produces an edible gel that can soother your tooth pain in pregnancy. You can massage your gums with Aloe Vera to stop bacterial growth and relieve gum problems.

Milk- Neutralize those acid-attacks

Your nausea can trigger dental erosion and encourage bacteria to attack your teeth. Along with Calcium supplements, milk can also help reduce plaque buildup and acid-neutralize your oral cavity. Subsequently, preventing dental problems and eliminating tooth pain and tooth sensitivity in early pregnancy. 

Pomegranate juice- Nourish your oral and overall health

Pomegranate is excellent for your and baby’s health during pregnancy. The best part is that it can prevent excessive plaque formation and fight bacterial infections. Therefore, your pomegranate can be effective if your tooth hurts during pregnancy.

Clove or clove oil

Clove is a natural antiseptic used in many dental medications and treatments. You use clove water (boil some cloves in water) and do mouth rinses to relieve swelling and tooth pain in pregnancy. You can also massage your gums with clove oil to reduce bacterial growth and keep dental problems at bay.

Before trying out any of these remedies, please consult your dentist. Moreover, visit your dentist regularly to upkeep your oral hygiene during pregnancy.

Key Takeaway

Tooth pain in pregnancy is really a very bad experience, especially when you cannot even get dental treatment. To enjoy your pregnancy journey and create beautiful memories, take care of your oral health before and during pregnancy.

Tooth Pain in Pregnancy- FAQs

Why does your tooth hurt during pregnancy?

You can experience tooth pain in pregnancy for many reasons, such as dental problems (tooth decay) and gum problems due to hormonal changes.

How long does toothache last during pregnancy?

If there is no underlying cause, your oral health is in good condition. The toothache during pregnancy can subside itself in the first trimester. However, if there is a pre-existing dental and medical health condition, you will need proper dental consultation and treatment.