During pregnancy, the expectant mother needs to listen more carefully to her body. Oral problems during pregnancy are not uncommon. Teeth and gums react very sensitively to changes occurring in a woman’s body; enamel is more susceptible to destruction and can react sharply to environmental influences. Many women think that dental treatment during pregnancy is impossible. In fact, dental treatment during pregnancy is an important and necessary procedure. After all, the condition of the teeth and the unborn child largely depends on the condition of the mother’s teeth.
Dentist consultation during pregnancy
You will need to consult a dentist more than once during pregnancy. It is better to visit the dentist in the first weeks of pregnancy so that, if there are any inflammatory processes in the oral cavity, they can begin timely treatment. It is very important to visit a dentist in the last trimester of pregnancy. At this time, the child’s skeleton and teeth are forming, so right now it is important to carefully monitor the mother’s health.
The teeth of the expectant mother are exposed to some dangers more than those of other patients. During pregnancy, a woman's appetite increases, nausea occurs, and the composition of saliva changes - its acidity increases. All these are favorable factors for the development of bacteria that have a destructive effect on the surface of the teeth.
Choose a clinic based on reviews, don’t go to the first one you come across. It is not so much the proximity to home that is important, but above all the qualifications of the dentist and experience in dental treatment during pregnancy. In our Dentistry clinic on Shchelkovskaya Diamed you will be provided with a full range of services for dental treatment during pregnancy. Don't worry about anything, just make an appointment by calling 8 (495) 033-00-63 or via the Internet by filling out the online appointment form. We are located a 7-minute walk from the Shchelkovskaya metro station at Shchelkovskoye Shosse, building 44, building 5. We work seven days a week.
Causes of toothache in pregnant women
During pregnancy, significant hormonal changes occur in the body, which leads to an exacerbation of many chronic diseases. The indicators of phosphorus-calcium metabolism also change, and the body’s increased need for vitamins and minerals appears. If before pregnancy a woman did not go to the dentist to identify possible diseases of the oral cavity, the smooth course of pregnancy can be disrupted by toothache.
The main causes of toothache during pregnancy:
1. Hyperesthesia of tooth enamel (increased sensitivity). It occurs when the structure of the enamel is damaged due to:
- loss of minerals;
- reducing the protective and remineralizing properties of saliva;
- increased wear of teeth;
- use of whitening toothpastes;
- malocclusion;
- beginning caries;
- taking large amounts of sour, carbonated drinks;
- vomiting due to toxicosis (acids contained in vomit destroy enamel).
2. Gingivitis in pregnant women. Due to hormonal changes occurring in a woman’s body, the composition of saliva changes, and the amount of plaque on the teeth increases. With insufficient care, gums become inflamed, bleeding and pain sensitivity appear when brushing your teeth.
3. Caries. If caries is at the spot stage, there is no pain in the tooth. Mild sensitivity to temperatures, sour and sweet foods appears with superficial caries, when tooth enamel begins to deteriorate. With medium and deep caries, the pain intensifies, since the pathological process reaches the peripulpal dentin, which has high pain sensitivity. Often during pregnancy, secondary caries develops under previously installed fillings.
4. Pulpitis. Develops in the absence of treatment for caries; patients experience severe pain in the tooth not only when eating, but also in a calm state.
5. Periodontitis. Develops as a complication of pulpitis. Tooth pain in acute periodontitis is intense, tearing, and may be accompanied by an increase in body temperature. Sometimes pregnant women experience worsening chronic periodontitis – the result of previously performed incorrect dental treatment.
6. Erupting wisdom tooth. Pain occurs if a tooth is in the wrong position and, as it erupts, puts pressure on neighboring teeth. When the tooth erupts incompletely, pericoronitis develops - inflammation of the gum overhanging the tooth. The condition is accompanied by severe pain and accumulation of pus in the gums.
Toothache in pregnant women can be caused by non-dental causes:
- trigeminal neuralgia;
- acute sinusitis;
- acute otitis;
- displacement of the articular disc of the temporomandibular joint;
- headache;
- nervous disorders.
Dental treatment during pregnancy
Timely dental treatment during pregnancy is a guarantee of peace of mind and the absence of unnecessary emotional worries. Toothache itself is unpleasant and causes some discomfort. And toothache during pregnancy is doubly unpleasant, as it puts extra emotional stress on the pregnant woman and her unborn child.
Pregnant women are susceptible to a number of oral diseases that can develop during pregnancy due to a lack of beneficial microelements and insufficient oral hygiene. These are the diseases.
- Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums. Accompanied by a feeling of itching in the gums, pain when eating, and then bleeding. Treatment of gingivitis must be carried out necessarily, since if the disease is ignored, gingivitis quickly “flows” into periodontitis.
- Periodontitis is a complex inflammation of the tissues surrounding the tooth. Characterized by the formation of gum pockets and loose teeth. Periodontitis can result in tooth loss. Periodontitis is dangerous for the proper development of dental tissues in an unborn child, so treatment of this disease is mandatory.
- Caries. During pregnancy, the expectant mother's teeth are very susceptible to harmful bacteria, so caries develops at a rapid pace. Untreated caries can be passed on to the baby, so you need to see a dentist. In this case, dental treatment during pregnancy is mandatory.
- General weakening of gums and teeth. Due to a lack of vitamins and microelements, pregnant women experience weakening of tooth enamel, acute tooth sensitivity and bleeding gums when exposed to mechanical stress. In such cases, again, it is necessary to consult a dentist to exclude the possibility of developing oral diseases.
How to relieve toothache during pregnancy
While carrying a child, you need to be attentive to your health, because any pain can negatively affect not only the well-being of the expectant mother, but also the fetus itself. The occurrence of toothache during pregnancy is not uncommon. Under no circumstances should you endure pain. What measures should you take to avoid harming yourself and your child? The article describes the most accessible and safe ways to combat toothache, and also describes the main causes and possible consequences.
What dangers does toothache pose for pregnant women?
The causes of toothache in pregnant women are practically no different from the causes of toothache in any person (caries, periodontitis, pulpitis), however, there are reasons that are characteristic mainly of pregnant women: calcium metabolism disorders, frequent vomiting and other digestive disorders. 1. A sudden toothache indicates an inflammatory process in the body, which primarily causes stress for the developing fetus; 2. Negative toxic effects due to forced use of painkillers; 3. Delayed treatment of toothache that has arisen can lead to the development of more severe tooth disease and the need for its removal, which is undesirable for pregnant women at a later stage.
Prevention of toothache during pregnancy
It is better to start proper dental care while planning pregnancy. Visit the dentist and find out about possible dental problems. With the onset of pregnancy, it is necessary to start taking general vitamins. You should also pay attention to oral care: brush your teeth at least twice a day and preferably with different pastes, rinse with herbal infusions such as sage, calendula or chamomile. During pregnancy, it is not recommended to use commercial rinses, as they may contain hazardous substances and cause an allergic reaction. To prevent the appearance of plaque and stones on teeth, eat fresh vegetables and fruits and reduce sugar consumption.
Basic measures to relieve toothache during pregnancy
1. Among the most common ways to relieve toothache is rinsing with a soda solution or calendula infusion. To prepare a soda solution, add one teaspoon of soda to a glass of warm boiled water and rinse every hour for 10 minutes. To prepare an infusion of herbs, pour one teaspoon of calendula or chamomile with a glass of hot water, leave for about an hour and rinse every half hour; 2. It is permissible to apply compresses to a sore tooth or gum during pregnancy, but hot solutions are not allowed so as not to aggravate the inflammatory process. One of the most common and effective types of compress is a cotton swab soaked in clove oil, or purchase dental drops at the pharmacy and apply the soaked cotton wool to the gum or tooth; 3. In case of unbearable toothache, it is possible to take painkillers such as paracetamol (no more than 3 tablets per day) or Panadol, which is also a safe drug for pregnant women.
Some pregnant women, for fear of tooth extraction (if the condition is advanced), are in no hurry to visit a specialist, which is extremely wrong. Before surgery, lidocaine-based anesthesia is administered, which is not prohibited for pregnant women. Whatever the toothache, it should not be tolerated under any circumstances and at the first opportunity you should consult a specialist - a dentist or gynecologist. The specialist will select the most effective and approved medications during pregnancy, depending on the stage of pregnancy and sensitivity to certain medications.
How to treat during pregnancy
During pregnancy, it is allowed to have teeth filled and even have them removed. Dental fillings during pregnancy are carried out according to the standard procedure. Modern materials from which fillings are made do not cause any harm to either the mother or the child.
Painful procedures, including tooth extraction, are performed under local anesthesia. The anesthetic drug is chosen very carefully. The dentist must be familiar with the timing of pregnancy and contraindications in order to select the drug that is most suitable for a particular patient.
X-rays should be taken very carefully during pregnancy. If you cannot do without it during dental treatment, then it is best to take the photo in a modern dental clinic with equipment that meets high international standards. To further protect the woman and fetus from X-rays, the chest, pelvis and abdominal area are covered with a special fabric during the X-ray.
Dentists say that it is best to treat teeth during pregnancy in the second trimester. This is a period of relative calm between the critical points of pregnancy in the first trimester (when the fetus is just beginning to develop) and in the third trimester (when the fetus is almost fully formed).
What dental treatment is prohibited during pregnancy?
When treating teeth during pregnancy, you need to know what is strictly prohibited for expectant mothers.
As a substance for local anesthesia, it is prohibited to use those compositions that contain adrenaline and any of its derivatives. General anesthesia during pregnancy is also strictly prohibited.
Teeth whitening is prohibited. Dental prosthetics cannot be performed. It is prohibited to perform dental treatment using arsenic during pregnancy. Dentists are aware of all the restrictions and your task, in case your pregnancy is short, is to warn the doctor about pregnancy before starting dental treatment.
Treatment of caries during pregnancy at Dentistry on Shchelkovskaya
Finally, we will tell you what the main feature of visiting a dentist during pregnancy in our clinic is. The fact is that a pregnant woman is often subject to changes in her emotional state, so our dentists show sensitivity and attention to the patient’s condition, protecting her from any kind of physical pain and emotional stress. The dentists of the clinic on Shchelkovskaya perfectly understand the specific health and emotional background of a pregnant woman, so they do everything in their power to make your visit to the doctor calm and pleasant.
The most important thing that you should not do during pregnancy is to ignore toothache and allow the development of oral diseases. Remember that your baby’s health depends on your vigilance. Therefore, even if you feel slightly unwell, or have periodic aching pains, do not tolerate it, make an appointment with a dentist now! Treatment of caries during pregnancy at any stage of development is possible in our clinic. We work seven days a week, located in the Eastern Administrative District in the Izmailovo district at Shchelkovskoye Highway, building 44, building 5. Near us are Golyanovo, Pervomaiskaya, Partizanskaya, Cherkizovskaya.
The danger of toothache
Expectant mothers, fearing the negative effects of medications on the baby’s body, endure toothache. They do not take medications to relieve it and do not go to see a doctor because they are afraid of the dentist using anesthesia. There is also an opinion that dental treatment is dangerous for pregnant women; it is better to wait and treat teeth after childbirth.
These judgments are erroneous; if a woman suffers toothache, she can cause enormous harm not only to her body, but also to her unborn baby. What are the dangers of toothache?
- Acute toothache due to pulpitis or periodontitis indicates the presence of purulent inflammation, which can spread to the periodontal tissues or enter other organs through the bloodstream. Odontogenic periostitis, peri-maxillary phlegmon, sepsis are conditions that can threaten the life of mother and child.
- The addition of even a minor purulent infection requires the prescription of antibacterial drugs, which also harm the unborn baby.
- After childbirth, postpartum sepsis may develop, the cause of which is a sore tooth.
- Teeth deteriorate quickly during pregnancy, so if you endure the pain and do not see a doctor in time, the question of tooth extraction may arise. Carrying out this operation increases the risk of infection entering the body through the hole; Also, removal is unnecessary stress for the patient.
- Constant pain weakens the nervous system of a pregnant woman and affects the intrauterine development of the child: the likelihood that the baby will develop abnormalities in the functioning of the cardiovascular, nervous, and endocrine systems increases. Painful stress can cause premature birth.
- If the cause of toothache is non-dental diseases, failure to see a doctor can lead to unpredictable consequences for the body.
