Toothache during pregnancy: how to relieve pain, what to do if a tooth hurts

Toothache during pregnancy can be caused by various factors, the cause of which must be determined immediately at an appointment with a dentist.

A woman’s body is especially vulnerable during this period; tooth pain is a signal of the onset of a pathological process, which can be dangerous not only for the mother, but also for the unborn child.

The best prevention of toothache in pregnant women is to visit the dentist during pregnancy planning and perform oral sanitation. Sanitation helps to identify and treat diseases of the teeth and oral mucosa in a timely manner. Having thus prepared for pregnancy, a woman can visit the dentist for the next 9 months only for the purpose of a preventive examination.

If a toothache occurs, a pregnant woman should immediately consult a dentist, because we are talking not only about her health, but also about the health of the unborn baby.

Why does toothache occur so often during pregnancy?

Each woman’s well-being during pregnancy is purely individual. However, expectant mothers can really be bothered by such a problem as toothache. Women who have always had a perfect smile sometimes develop caries and gum inflammation, and frequent dental visitors note an exacerbation of chronic diseases. The fact is that pregnant women's teeth are really very vulnerable. Lack of vitamins and minerals, metabolic disorders in the body, changes in hormonal levels, increased acidity of the oral cavity as a result of toxicosis - all these are factors that can negatively affect dental health and provoke caries and toothache in pregnant women.

In the early stages

In the first trimester of pregnancy (1-13 weeks), all organs and systems of the baby are formed. Medications during this period can disrupt the normal development of the fetus, so it is better to avoid them. But, if acute pain strikes you late or on a holiday, the doctor will prescribe:

Ibuprofen (Ibuprom, Nurofen), tablets

In addition to the analgesic effect, it also has an anti-inflammatory effect. Ibuprofen will help eliminate the symptoms of chronic pulpitis and inflammation of the ligaments of the tooth, periodontitis. 1 tablet contains 200 mg of active ingredient, and can be taken no more than 3 times a day.

For expectant mothers suffering from frequent attacks of heartburn, toxicosis or stomach pain, ibuprofen preparations are not suitable - they are made on the basis of propionic acid and irritate the gastrointestinal tract.

Dental drops

Contains essential oils of camphor, peppermint and valerian infusion. They have analgesic, anti-inflammatory and bactericidal effects. A cotton swab moistened with 2-3 drops is placed for 5-10 minutes in the tooth cavity destroyed by caries. This relieves pain from deep caries and pulpitis.

The use of dental drops requires precautions: if ingested, they can provoke an attack of vomiting, and if in contact with mucous membranes, cause a burn.

Gel Kamident

A combination of substances with analgesic (lidocaine), anti-inflammatory (chamomile) and antibacterial (thymol) properties. A drop of gel is applied to the root zone of the diseased tooth and rubbed in. The gel reduces sensitivity in inflamed gums, which helps reduce pain during gingivitis, stomatitis and periodontitis.

What symptoms should you see a doctor for?

Prevention is the key to health. Regular dental examinations every six months can save you from serious dental problems. Therefore, I recommend visiting a dental clinic both at the planning stage of pregnancy and during it. And if you are worried about, for example, toothache from cold and hot, you should immediately consult a dentist. The smallest carious cavity is a source of infection, which is an additional burden on the body of a pregnant woman. Moreover, if this caries is not treated on time, pulpitis may develop, accompanied by severe pain symptoms.

If possible, before visiting the dentist, consult with the gynecologist leading your pregnancy. Be sure to inform your dentist about your situation, and best of all, go to a clinic equipped with the necessary equipment and staffed with highly qualified specialists who can provide assistance without harming the expectant mother and child.

How does a painkiller pill work?

When inflammation develops in the infected pulp or periodontal tissues, they produce enzymes that signal problems - prostaglandins. Prostaglandins go to pain receptors - nerve endings, and “turn on” pain.

Analgesics block the release of signaling enzymes, so pain disappears some time after taking them. The cause of toothache is an infection or inflammatory process that is not eliminated, and unpleasant symptoms reappear after a while.

When is the best time to treat teeth for pregnant women?

The most favorable period for a woman and the safest period for a child for dental treatment during pregnancy is the second trimester. But, if you are suffering from toothache or there is a doctor’s prescription, measures can be carried out in the first and even in the third trimester (the only exception may be complex surgical operations). It is important that the expectant mother is as comfortable as possible during treatment. In our clinic, each office is equipped with a soft orthopedic chair and special lumbar bolsters, which allows you to comfortably carry out full treatment even in the third trimester of pregnancy.

What procedures are allowed during this period, and which are strictly prohibited?

Pregnancy imposes a number of restrictions on treatment, including dental treatment.

Acceptable:

Treatment of caries, especially in the very initial stages. If the tooth is barely touched, you can even do without anesthesia. In case of increased sensitivity, use a spray with a minimal content of adrenaline.
Fluoridation, enamel whitening. These manipulations are classified as absolutely safe procedures.
Gum treatment. It can be carried out in any trimester using anti-inflammatory drugs.
Installation of crowns and removable dentures. It will not harm either the expectant mother or the child.
Removal of a tooth. At the level of modern medicine, it is considered a relatively safe manipulation for pregnant women, but it is performed in extreme cases

Forbidden:

Dental implantation due to the need to take strong medications.
Removing "eights". Severe trauma to the jaw occurs: a large wound surface can become a source of infection.
Bite correction. During pregnancy, a woman's body loses a lot of calcium, so braces are likely to cause tooth decay. If pregnancy occurs already during treatment, it is interrupted until the birth of the child.
Use of general anesthesia for pain relief.

Carrying out local anesthesia with special preparations containing a minimum percentage of adrenaline and calculating the correct dosages is not considered dangerous to the fetus.

How to relieve toothache during pregnancy?

What to do at home if your tooth hurts a lot? Today, obstetricians and gynecologists around the world allow women to take certain tablets for toothache during pregnancy. For example.

Paracetamol
There is a stereotype that paracetamol is an exclusively antipyretic drug that is taken exclusively for ARVI and influenza. In fact, it has a pronounced analgesic effect, so it will help get rid of toothache. Moreover, despite the fact that the drug penetrates the placenta, it does not pose a threat to the fetus.
No-spa
But no-spa for toothache will not cause harm, but it will not be beneficial either. The thing is that drotaverine hydrochloride, the active substance at the heart of the drug, is an antispasmodic, responsible for relaxing smooth muscles. But it is powerless to have a pain-relieving effect. However, for women prone to self-hypnosis, taking No-shpa can bring relief according to the placebo principle.

What medications that we are used to in everyday life should not be taken during pregnancy, even with severe toothache? Firstly, analgin, which negatively affects the blood count, is prohibited. Secondly, you should not resort to Nurofen, which can cause oligohydramnios in a pregnant woman. Thirdly, drugs such as citramon or askofen are not recommended, since they contain a large dose of caffeine.

If we are talking about the need to relieve toothache during pregnancy in the conditions of treatment in the dentist’s office, then you should not be afraid that you will have to endure the pain. Only anesthesia using adrenaline, which can cause an increase in blood pressure, is strictly prohibited. But local painkillers based on mepivacaine or articaine will not cause harm.

Is it possible for pregnant women to have dental x-rays?

Pregnancy is not considered a contraindication for dental radiography. Images are taken using computer radiovisiographs, which deliver a very small dose of radiation. The woman’s body is covered with a special protective apron, and the radiation beam is directed towards the jaw area.

However, such a procedure should be performed only when absolutely necessary and should be limited to taking pictures of one or two teeth. Long-term planned treatment, which periodically requires radiography, is best postponed until the birth of the child and completion of breastfeeding.

What is the prevention of dental diseases in pregnant women?

Following a few simple rules will help you avoid toothache during pregnancy. A woman planning to become a mother definitely needs to see a dentist and undergo a complete sanitation of the oral cavity, that is, to cure all her teeth and put her gums in order. Already during pregnancy, first of all, it is necessary to adhere to a balanced diet and additionally take a complex of vitamins and minerals recommended by the doctor. You need to be especially careful about your oral hygiene: it should include not only regular brushing of your teeth with a brush and toothpaste, but also the use of interdental floss. During pregnancy, it is important to see a dentist: it is advisable to visit the clinic at least twice during the 40 weeks of pregnancy.

Procedures that should not be done

Installation of veneers or aesthetic fillings

Although it is not considered a risky procedure, it is nevertheless not recommended. The reason is that any medical interventions during pregnancy should be carried out only when indicated. Aesthetic problems can be solved after the birth of a child.

Whitening

The reason is the same - the procedure is not therapeutic - it can be postponed until later. In addition, now all medical drugs and equipment are certified; for this purpose, studies are carried out, in which pregnant women usually do not participate. Therefore, there is a formal ban.

Treatment by an orthodontist

It would seem that wearing braces while on maternity leave is a great idea, because you don’t have to go to work or communicate with colleagues. But in fact, many orthodontists are against this decision. Firstly, during pregnancy and subsequent breastfeeding, bone tissue density may temporarily decrease and the course of treatment will differ from the standard. It is difficult to predict this, so to some extent such a procedure is risky. Secondly, immediately after the birth of a child, a woman cannot always leave him to go to the clinic for an appointment on the appointed day. And it is very undesirable to postpone visits to the orthodontist - it is not recommended to violate the treatment schedule.

It is much easier to choose clear aligners that are invisible to others, and undergo treatment when it is truly convenient for you.

There is no need to “hide” with aligners; the treatment goes unnoticed by others

Thus, the general opinion of dentists is:

Treatment should be carried out before pregnancy or after 12 weeks.
Do not put off treatment until later.
On the contrary, all aesthetic procedures can be completed after the birth of the baby.

I feel what I feel in my teeth

During pregnancy, it is especially important to eat right.

However, if hot and cold dishes cause severe aching pain, appetite disappears, in this case at least two suffer (mother and fetus).

The problem of increased tooth sensitivity is associated with the thinning of the enamel, which, like a shell, covers the underlying dentin, enveloping the vessels and the actual sources of pain - the nerves. The appearance of pain is an impetus that forces you to go to the dentist. There may be several reasons for thinning enamel. One of them, the most common, is the loss of calcium by the enamel, as a result of insufficient intake from food and increased consumption by the body. Another reason is early toxicosis, which was already mentioned above. Another reason that is not related to pregnancy, but does occur, is the wrong choice of toothpaste.

Toothpastes of the “Sensitive” type have been developed especially for those with teeth with increased sensitivity.

According to dentists, the most common cause of tooth sensitivity is improper brushing.

To learn how to properly brush your teeth, you must contact a dental center. Training is carried out individually in one session. The cost of this procedure is about 300 rubles. As a rule, the dentist invites the pregnant woman for a follow-up cleaning. To assess whether the patient is coping with the task correctly or not.

Tooth sensitivity can be caused by cervical caries, when a hole in the tooth is located at its base, next to the gum. Then the solution to the problem is only a filling in the problem area. If tooth sensitivity does not decrease, despite all efforts, then “Sensigel” will help, it contains special substances that reduce tooth sensitivity. The cost of the drug is 180-190 rubles. The dental office has pharmacological agents to reduce tooth sensitivity that have a prolonged effect (up to 6 months), but the cost of the procedure is much more expensive.

Forgotten caries

Everyone advises planning a pregnancy, but in some situations it is quite difficult. Pregnancy does not always occur when you want it. In some situations, you have to wait for years for the appearance of a lucky star. Preparations can take so long that it’s easy to forget about pregnancy. And there is no need to talk about a random “vagrant bird”. In general, the first thing a pregnant woman needs to do after returning from the gynecologist is to make an appointment with the dentist. The feeling of complete health is often apparent. A careful examination of the dentition will definitely reveal a couple of holes.

Caries is based on three main problems: damage to the enamel, eating a lot of sweets and microflora in the mouth.

During pregnancy, all three causes are hypertrophied. Frequent vomiting in the first trimester can lead to “acidification” of saliva. Increased appetite contributes to the consumption of more easily digestible carbohydrates (sugar, chocolate, etc.).

In an acidic environment and in the presence of carbohydrates, microflora develops quickly. A vicious circle is formed. Microorganisms, breaking down sugar, contribute to even greater acidification of saliva and destroy enamel. Considering the causes of caries, it becomes clear how important prevention is.

Treatment of caries during pregnancy is not contraindicated, rather the opposite. All kinds of holes in the teeth, even small ones, should be healed. Remember that a small hole can be the entrance to a larger cave.

There are no restrictions regarding the filling material. Moreover, it is better to use a fluoride filling material (which uses a special lamp to cure).

Superficial caries, as a rule, does not require mandatory anesthesia. But if ordinary caries is complicated by the development of pulpitis, then you cannot do without an anesthetic. The doctor will select the safest drug.

“Tooth rash” after childbirth?

I hope that the child was not born in pain? In order for the child to grow and develop quickly, nature provided the woman with a source of nutrition for the baby - milk. Constant production of a nutritious product is possible only with a regular supply of necessary vitamins from outside. If the teeth have withstood the stress of pregnancy, this does not mean that the feeding process will go unnoticed. It happens that during feeding, teeth simply “melt” before our eyes. What's happening?

Apparently, there is a lack of calcium (or fluorine) in the body. In order to prevent possible destruction, it is necessary to ensure a sufficient supply of minerals, taking into account the consumption for the formation of milk. The mammary glands produce about a liter of milk per day (or even more).

Is dental examination contraindicated during pregnancy?

It’s not for nothing that everyone advises to heal your teeth before pregnancy. After all, once it occurs, dental treatment can be difficult. It should be noted that we are talking about problem teeth, for which a simple filling is not an option. Sometimes, in order to provide qualified assistance, it is necessary to first take a picture of the tooth, and then, depending on the situation, treat or remove it. In the first and last trimesters of pregnancy, X-ray examination is not recommended. However, in the second trimester of pregnancy, the ban on dental x-rays is lifted.

If suddenly a problematic tooth makes itself known at the wrong time, and the doctor insists on taking an image, you should not worry too much about it. Because before taking a picture, the laboratory technician will put on a lead apron, which will protect you from that insignificant dose of X-rays that are necessary in this situation.

To avoid trouble, it is better to inform your dentist about your pregnancy. There is a more gentle research method - computer visiography. In this case, the image of the tooth is displayed on a computer screen, the X-ray beam is more focused, and the dose is approximately 10 times less than when taking a conventional X-ray.

Principles of treatment depending on trimester

Each period of pregnancy has its own characteristics. Therefore, the trimester must be taken into account before starting treatment:

First. The period is unfavorable for treatment. The fetus is not protected, and its important organs are actively developing. Even approved medications can have a bad effect on a small body, so in the first trimester it is advisable to use only safe products suitable for topical use.
Second. The period is suitable for dental treatment in hospital and the use of painkillers. The placenta will protect the fetus from substances in the drugs.
Third. Visiting the dentist is not recommended, as anxiety can trigger premature labor. You can take painkillers.

Attention! If you have severe toxicosis, you should avoid visiting the dentist's office.

Possible diseases

During pregnancy, any of the dental diseases can occur. These include:

Caries. A tooth affected by caries gradually darkens and decays, and its sensitivity increases.
Stomatitis. The disease is characterized by the appearance of small ulcers on the mucous membranes of the oral cavity.
Pulpitis. The disease occurs due to neglect of caries treatment. Pain due to nerve infection is the main symptom.
Gingivitis. Bleeding gums, an increase in their volume and their high sensitivity are the main symptoms of the disease.
Periodontitis. The disease is characterized by inflammation of periodontal tissue. Symptoms: bleeding gums, softness and sensitivity.
Periodontitis. With this disease, aching pain in the area of a certain tooth is disturbing. If treatment is delayed for a long time, inflammation occurs, accompanied by the release of pus and swelling of the gums.
Read also: Which teeth whitening is the safest and most effective?

Important! An accurate diagnosis can be made in the dentist's office, since the symptoms of some diseases are similar.