Toothache During Pregnancy: Causes and Treatment
What causes toothache during pregnancy?
How to get rid of toothache when pregnant?
Pregnancy can be a very exciting time, especially if it is the first time. However, every month during pregnancy is a new experience, and at the same time there are a number of challenges and health problems that can arise. One of these is toothache. Dental health during pregnancy is an issue that should be given special importance. In this article, we will answer questions such as why toothache during pregnancy, how it goes away, what is good for toothache during pregnancy.
What Causes Toothache During Pregnancy?
Pregnancy is a very special and sensitive time for the expectant mother as well as for all body functions. Every woman experiences many hormonal, psychological and physiological changes during pregnancy. During this period of change, oral and dental health problems such as toothache, gum sensitivity and swelling may occur, especially in the last months of pregnancy. There are many different causes of toothache. Toothache during pregnancy is caused by the following reasons:
Change in Hormonal Structure
Pregnancy is characterized by a significant increase in the levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. For this reason, sensitivity occurs in the gums and throughout the body. As a result, tooth and gum pain is more common than in normal times.
Dietary Habits
The eating habits of pregnant women change and diversify. There is an appetite for foods that are not normally consumed. For this reason, toothache is experienced due to the increase in the consumption of foods containing sugar and carbohydrates. If daily dental care is not performed, plaque formation and bleeding gums may occur.
Inadequate Dental Care
Negligence in maintaining oral and dental hygiene due to changes in eating habits can cause toothache. Some pregnant women may experience disruptions in tooth brushing habits due to nausea. Inadequate dental care during pregnancy causes weakening of teeth and gums.
Bruxism
Bruxism can sometimes develop due to the stress of pregnancy. Bruxism is the discomfort of clenching teeth and causes toothache.
Increased Stomach Acid
Stomach acid increases during pregnancy, which leads to changes in the pH level in the mouth. This leads to the development of tooth decay and pain in the enamel.
Development of diabetes
Pregnancy-related diabetes not only accelerates the development of tooth and gum diseases, but also increases the severity of these diseases.
How do you get rid of a toothache while pregnant?
To relieve toothache during pregnancy, it would not be right to take the medicines you normally use. Instead, you can reduce toothache with some methods that are good for toothache during pregnancy. You can take the following measures to relieve toothache during pregnancy:
Do Regular Oral Care
Regular oral care during pregnancy reduces the risk of toothache. As in normal times, brushing and flossing at least twice a day is sufficient for oral hygiene.
Review Dietary Habits
Eating habits change with pregnancy and sometimes the consumption of foods that damage teeth may increase. These habits should be reviewed and the consumption of foods that damage teeth should be limited.
Gargle with Salt Water
You can gargle with salt water that you will prepare by adding a teaspoon of salt to a glass of water to relax and hygiene the gums. If you are going to use an antiseptic mouthwash, you should definitely consult your doctor.
Apply Cold Compress
You can relieve the pain by applying a cold compress to the side of the toothache. You can do this by wrapping an ice pack in a towel.
See Your Dentist Regularly
Regular dental check-ups make it easier for you to take precautions against toothache during pregnancy. Consulting a dentist is the best option when you experience toothache at any time during pregnancy. In this way, it is possible to determine the cause of the toothache and to provide appropriate treatment. If necessary, your doctor may prescribe painkillers that can be used by pregnant women. Especially in planned pregnancies, it is advantageous to have the necessary checks and treatments for oral and dental health with a pre-pregnancy dentist examination.
You can get more detailed information about oral and dental health during pregnancy by contacting the specialist dentists of AveDent Oral and Dental Health Polyclinic in Istanbul, Turkey. If you are experiencing tooth and gum pain during pregnancy, call us for an appointment.
