Pregnancy, regarded as one of the most fulfilling and beautiful experiences in life, is a time to indulge and open up to a whole lot of pampering. Along with the fun, you also want to make sure that your health and well-being is top-notch, and that includes your dental health.
Now, oral health might not be a top priority for the expecting mothers but given the fact that teeth pain in pregnancy is a more common problem than we realise, one ought to pay more attention to it. Most women are taken off guard by sudden teeth pain during pregnancy. Which is why one must take extra care of maintaining oral care and hygiene.
Causes of teeth pain during pregnancy
We’re all accustomed to the morning sickness, fatigue, body ache and indigestion problems that tag along with pregnancy, but when it comes to any dental problems during pregnancy, we seem to have no knowledge or understanding of it. Here are some of the common reasons why most women experience teeth pain or other dental issues in pregnancy.
1) Nausea and vomiting:
The hormonal changes that your body goes through results in morning sickness among most women. This leads to nausea and frequent bouts of vomiting. And the discomfort is not the only thing to worry about here. Unfortunately, the acid reflux also proves to be potentially harmful to your tooth enamel as the acid can lead to enamel erosion. Also, constant vomiting can cause build-up of dental plaque, which can result in:
a) Bleeding of gums and inflammation, also known as pregnancy gingivitis
b) If left untreated, pregnancy gingivitis can lead to periodontal disease
c) Pregnancy tumors, which are noncancerous growths on the gums.
2) Pregnancy cravings:
The intense urge to reach out for that tub of Nutella at 3am may be hard to resist but your pregnancy cravings may be doing more than just changing your appetite. These cravings for sugary foods will also increase the risk of tooth decay and consequent cavities.
The best way to combat dental issues when you’re pregnant is by undertaking precautionary measures and maintaining oral health. Here are some tips that can help:
Inform your dentist of your pregnancy and get routine tests done before you reach to an advanced stage. Make sure to let your dentist know whatever medication you’ve been prescribed beforehand.
Take extra care of your gums and look for signs or gingivitis.
Follow a thorough dental care routine to avoid any tooth pain when you’re pregnant. Brush your teeth twice a day. Use a soft bristled toothbrush to be extra careful and gentle on your gums. Try the Oral-B Vitality Series Electric Toothbrush that comes with a round head for effective cleaning. The soft bristles oscillate and rotate to remove plaque and leave you with a clean mouth.
Use a good anti-microbial mouthwash to rinse your mouth and floss your teeth after every meal. Oral-B’s Essential Mint Dental Floss is perfect as it comes with shred-resistant technology, which means you won’t have to worry about any fibres getting stuck in your teeth. And its mint flavour will prove to be a breath of fresh air, especially when you have to deal with the unfortunate morning sickness.
If you have a professional dental cleaning session due, by all means go for it and don’t think you have to cancel the appointment. Now, more than ever, you can use the additional help for any hygienic needs.
Home remedies for tooth pain
If you are unable to make it to the dentist and have tooth pain when you’re pregnant, fret not. Here are some ways that can help alleviate some of the pain.
Try to identify the foods that cause pain or make your teeth sensitive, and avoid them.
If alcohol-based mouth washes aren’t your thing, try using some warm water with a little salt to rinse your mouth. It can also help in providing relief from swelling or inflammation.
If swelling persists, you can alternatively use a cold compress on the side of your cheek for relief.
Aloe vera has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties that can help improve gum bleeding and prevent bacterial growth.
If suffering from tooth pain, clove oil is excellent at providing relief due to its anti-septic properties.
It is important to note that you must consult with your doctor doing any of the above-mentioned steps as each pregnancy is different and your doctor will have a better idea of what’s best for you.
Tooth pain or any other dental issue during pregnancy is not unheard of. While they can be cumbersome to deal with, given that you have other pregnancy induced issues to deal with, maintaining oral health and hygiene will go a long way in preventing any dental issues. Furthermore, most pregnancy teeth problems are temporary and improve once you’ve given birth.
FAQs
Is it normal for your teeth to hurt during pregnancy?
Most women are taken off guard by sudden teeth pain during pregnancy, which is why one must take extra care of maintaining oral care and hygiene.
What can I do for severe tooth pain while pregnant?
You must visit your dentist and meanwhile, you can use clove oil to alleviate tooth pain during pregnancy as it has anti-septic properties.
Why are my teeth so bad during pregnancy?
Morning sickness is a common pregnancy symptom, which causes nausea and vomiting. Constant vomiting can cause build-up of dental plaque, which can lead to several dental issues like pregnancy gingivitis, enamel erosion and cavities.
