Unbearable Tooth Pain While Pregnant

The experience of being pregnant is different for every mom-to-be. Yet, what every expecting woman will tell you is that it’s a magical time full of love, hope, and lots of patience.

Unfortunately, it also means morning sickness, swollen ankles, and constant pain, like toothaches.

If you’re suffering unbearable tooth pain while pregnant or are looking for ways to prevent it, then you’ve come to the right place. We’re here to explore why toothaches increase during pregnancy and how you can treat it or even prevent it from happening in the first place.

Let’s get started.

Causes of Tooth Pain During Pregnancy

The most obvious cause is the surge in pregnancy hormone levels, namely progesterone and estrogen. On the one hand, they’re the ones helping your baby grow and develop in the womb.

On the other hand, they’re responsible for boosting blood flow to the more sensitive areas in your mouth. As a result, you’re left with ‘pregnancy tooth pain’ syndrome, which is more common than you think.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), nearly 75% of moms-to-be suffer from gum disease, also known as ‘pregnancy gingivitis.’ It can leave your gums feeling sore and susceptible to infections and more severe conditions, such as periodontal disease.

Another common reason why moms-to-be often suffer from tooth pain is increased plaque buildup, which can harden into tartar if left untreated. Morning sickness and vomiting, which tend to be more frequent during the first trimester, can also contribute to tooth erosion.

Treatments for Tooth Pain While Pregnant

Unfortunately, toothaches are quite common during the nine months of pregnancy. It’s just a natural part of the process, and it’s all due to your ever-changing hormone levels.

We should note that if the tooth pain is too severe and doesn’t go away after a couple of days, you should go see your dentist right away.

If it turns out that you have cavities or other dental issues, get them fixed as soon as you can.

The alternative is to wait until after you give birth. Yet, by then, you increase the risk of possibly passing along cavity-causing germs to your baby via kissing and sharing utensils or food.

The good news is that most tooth pain is minimal and can be easy to treat as long as you deal with it early on.

Check out these common home remedies that can offer short-term relief.

Mouth Rinse

To reduce inflammation, and the pain that comes with it, you can use a salt rinse. First, add one teaspoon of salt to a cup of warm water. Stir thoroughly, then swoosh the mixture in your mouth.

Morning sickness is a common symptom, especially in the first trimester. The problem is that vomiting can leave behind harmful bacteria in the mouth, which can cause tooth decay.

One way to eliminate bacterial buildup caused by morning sickness is to mix one teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of warm water. Use the mixture to rinse your mouth after you get sick.

The alkalinity in the baking soda will help get rid of the harmful bacteria that can cause cavities, bad breath, and even nausea.

You can also use toothpaste made with acid-neutralizing ingredients. It helps remove stomach acids from your mouth that can cause tooth erosion and leave your gums feeling sore.

Apply Garlic

Garlic is a natural antibiotic. You can use it to kill bacteria in the infected area, thus minimizing the pain.

Start by peeling a clove. One way to make the most of this antibiotic is to chew on it. Another way is to apply it to the infected area and leave it there for as long as you can.

Just remember to keep a packet of breath mints with you at all times.

Cold Compress

 

Sometimes, severe tooth pain can make your cheek swell slightly. If you suspect this is what’s happening, a cold compress can help alleviate the swelling.

The cold also helps alleviate the pain by constricting the blood vessels in the infected area. Consequently, the number of white blood cells rushing to get to the infected area decreases.

With fewer white blood cells, there will be less inflammation in the area, and, obviously, less pain.

Additional at-home treatments include:

• Drink warm milk several times a day
• Drink or rinse your mouth with sugar-free pomegranate juice
• Apply cloves or clove oil directly to the affected area for fast pain relief

Preventing Tooth Pain While Pregnant

In general, one of the best things anybody can do to maintain their oral health is to not skimp on oral hygiene. This means brushing twice a day and flossing at least once every day to remove buildup caused by harmful bacteria and plaque.

Check out these tried-and-true prevention tips to help make your pregnancy free from tooth pain.

Pay Your Dentist a Visit

The other important thing is to get a dental checkup once or twice when pregnant.

Some people prefer to wait until after they’ve had the baby to get their teeth checked out. However, going to the dentist is completely safe for you and your baby.

It’s also often recommended to make sure everything is in good condition. Then, if there’s anything that needs fixing, it’s better to get it done before you have your baby.

By then, you’ll be too busy and too tired to find time to schedule an appointment, let alone keep it.

Know Your Triggers

Another way you can prevent toothache is to get to know what triggers your pain and try to avoid it.

For example, many women find that their teeth and gums are super sensitive when they drink either piping hot or icy cold beverages.

Some expecting mothers also complain that their tooth sensitivity increases when they eat steaming hot food. Spicy foods are also sometimes considered pain triggers because of the acidity and heat of the spices.

Conclusion

It’s critical that you keep your health in tip-top condition during those nine months to ensure a safe and quick birth. Staying healthy also ensures your baby comes out strong and ready to take on the world.

So, if you’re suffering from unbearable tooth pain while pregnant, you must act quickly. Use the at-home methods and prevention tips in our article to help minimize the pain and bring short-term relief.

Then, schedule an appointment with your dentist. This will give them time to take a look and figure out what needs fixing before your bundle of joy arrives.