Toothache during pregnancy causes, treatment

It is better to carry out all dental procedures at the stage of preparation for pregnancy, when there are no hormonal surges in the body and comprehensive treatment of the oral cavity can be carried out without fear. However, it happens that caries appears during pregnancy.

Pregnancy is a difficult period for a woman, since the nascent body needs a lot of nutrients for normal development: calcium and other minerals, vitamins. The fetus actively takes these substances from the mother. And therefore, if before pregnancy the teeth were in order, then during the period of bearing the baby the teeth may begin to deteriorate: the enamel weakens, caries appears, which destroys the incisors outside and inside, reaching the nerve endings, and later to the jaw bone.

It happens that it is almost impossible to cope with toothache, active caries and crumbling incisors before giving birth. A woman can lose a tooth without promptly visiting a dentist.

From the article you will learn:

1. Is it possible to treat teeth during pregnancy?
2. Differences in dental treatment in early and late pregnancy.
3. Safe anesthesia for pregnant women.
4. Is it possible to have teeth removed during pregnancy?
5. What to do if a tooth hurts during pregnancy.

Is it possible to treat teeth during pregnancy?

Should teeth be treated during pregnancy? During the period of gestation, the female body experiences serious changes in hormonal levels, consumes more vitamins, minerals, fats and acids so that the fetus can fully develop and grow. Even with a balanced diet and vitamin intake, a pregnant woman may periodically experience a deficiency of iron, calcium and other beneficial substances.

The deficiency affects the condition of the teeth: the enamel deteriorates, the teeth become vulnerable to mechanical damage and caries, a feeling of pain appears, and chronic oral diseases worsen. Toothache and discomfort while eating are stressful for a woman and baby. And chronic diseases can lead to infection of the fetus, which has a detrimental effect on its development. Therefore, dental treatment during pregnancy is not only possible, but necessary.

During pregnancy you can treat:

• Inflammation of the gums (stomatitis, periodontitis, gingivitis) is a common occurrence in pregnant women. It is aggravated by the presence of dental plaque and dental plaques, due to the content of estrogens and progesterone (female sex hormones that affect the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and embryonic development) in saliva.
• Dental hypersensitivity is also a common phenomenon in pregnant women, when a woman experiences severe discomfort from eating sour, sweet, spicy, hard, hot and cold foods and drinks.
• Caries. An exacerbation of the development of caries during pregnancy occurs due to changes in hormonal levels, increased acidity in saliva and consumption of large amounts of carbohydrates.
• Pulpitis is a direct consequence of advanced caries development, leading to inflammation of the nerves and severe toothache. It is treated using x-rays and anesthesia.
• Periodontitis is a consequence of caries and inflammation around the root tissues. It is also treated using x-rays and anesthesia.

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.

Differences in dental treatment during early and late pregnancy

During this difficult and, at the same time, wonderful period for a woman, dental treatment for the above diseases in the early and late stages of pregnancy differs significantly.

First trimester

Dental treatment during pregnancy up to 13 weeks is carried out only in case of emergency indications: active or advanced caries, acute toothache. This is explained by the fact that in the first trimester the active formation of the baby’s vital organs takes place.

Until the 16th week, the fetus is most vulnerable. Natural selection is inherent in our body, which begins to work from the first days of pregnancy. The body aims to reject a weak fetus and bear a more viable one, which will withstand any external influences and will develop normally. During this period, any changes in the mother’s body can affect the baby.

In early pregnancy, dental treatment using anesthesia is especially dangerous for the baby. Anesthesia has an additional negative effect on the baby through the mother's body. It affects the formation of the fetus and its organs, and can lead to the development of various diseases and pathologies. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to carry out treatment procedures only in case of emergency indications.

Second trimester

From 14 to 25 weeks of pregnancy is the safest period for dental treatment for both mother and child. The placenta and baby's organs have already formed. During this period, treatment is carried out only on the recommendation of the attending physician.

When visiting a dentist, you need to inform him about your stage of pregnancy so that the doctor can correctly assess the need for treatment and select procedures. Sometimes your doctor may advise you to wait until delivery.

If necessary, carry out:

• professional oral hygiene;
• comprehensive treatment of gums and teeth;
• tooth extraction under local anesthesia;
• canal filling, pulp removal and filling installation.

It is important to understand that treatment should only be carried out if absolutely necessary. Every unnecessary change in your body affects your baby.

It is strongly not recommended to remove tartar, wisdom teeth, install braces or other complex dental procedures during pregnancy. In any case, before dental treatment during pregnancy, you should consult with your supervising doctor and treating dentist.

Third trimester

Dental treatment cannot be carried out between 26 and 42 weeks. Late pregnancy is an equally difficult period for a woman. The expectant mother is worried, experiencing discomfort and severe stress. The fetus is already large, which makes it difficult for the patient to fit in the dental chair: she has to sit on her side or lie down, while the fetus puts pressure on the vena cava and aorta. The placenta becomes thinner and is not able to fully protect the baby from toxins and bacteria. There is a possible risk of premature birth.

Before removing or treating teeth during pregnancy, you should consult your attending physician or get a free consultation at a dental clinic. It is important to immediately notify the doctor about your situation and indicate the exact stage of pregnancy so that the dentist can choose the right treatment for you.

Features of treatment and pain relief for toothache during pregnancy

Note! Tablets for toothache during pregnancy can only be used as prescribed by your doctor! When prescribing this or that drug, doctors take into account a whole range of factors, including: the physiological state of the patient’s body, contraindications, test results, gestational age, etc.

How and with what to relieve toothache during pregnancy at different stages:

Toothache in the 1st trimester of pregnancy

It is not recommended to treat with dental methods or reduce the intensity of pain with medications. During this period, the amniotic placental barrier is formed, providing protection to the fetus from infectious agents and other problems.

Also, in the early stages, it is strictly forbidden to prescribe anesthetics and potent painkillers of any pharmaceutical group. The best way to relieve pain during such a period are folk remedies in the form of decoctions and solutions for rinsing the mouth.

Toothache in the 2nd trimester of pregnancy

Toothache in the second trimester occurs more often than in the first and is accompanied by increased pain. At this stage, the use of some painkillers is allowed, including medications - paracetamol, No-shpa, Drotaverine. The above products are quite effective.

Despite the “harmlessness” of the above medications, they should be taken very carefully in small doses, under the strict supervision of a doctor.

Toothache in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy

During this period, it is allowed to expand the list of drugs that can be used for pain relief. In the third trimester, it is allowed to take potent drugs (in emergency cases, when the pain becomes unbearable for the woman). These drugs include: Analgin, Ketanov, Novocain, Kalgel, as well as special dental drops.

Despite the expansion of the list of drugs acceptable for use for toothache during pregnancy, it is not recommended to take drugs based on ibuprofen - such drugs reduce the volume of amniotic fluid, which can harm the health of the fetus.

Safe anesthesia for pregnant women

Dental treatment during pregnancy is carried out under local anesthesia. Painkillers that have a low impact on blood vessels are selected. However, any anesthesia that enters the mother’s blood is transmitted to the fetus, since during pregnancy they have a single circulatory system. The baby has its own circulatory system from the moment the umbilical cord is cut, until this moment it depends on the mother’s body. When anesthesia is administered, the fetus becomes lethargic and sleepy, which affects its development.

The decision on the use of anesthesia, as well as the choice of the drug itself, is made only by the doctor based on the individual characteristics of the woman’s body and the duration of her pregnancy. The doctor will definitely ask a number of questions: about the presence of past and chronic diseases, about operations performed, allergies, etc. Based on the answers received, the doctor will make recommendations for treatment.

Is it possible to have teeth removed during pregnancy?

Tooth extraction is a surgical operation that carries a psycho-emotional burden for any patient. And for pregnant women, such an operation should not be performed unless there is an urgent need.

During pregnancy, a tooth can be removed if:

1. Deep caries, causing inflammation, pus and fever;
2. The presence of a cyst with a diameter greater than 1 cm;
3. Fracture of the crown or root of a tooth;
4. Acute toothache, when conservative treatment does not bring results.

Please note that wisdom teeth cannot be removed during pregnancy. The consequence of the operation may be inflammation of the tooth socket, which can only be treated with antibiotics.

What to do if a tooth hurts during pregnancy

It is unacceptable to endure acute toothache during pregnancy, and also to try to cope with it using folk methods and the advice of others. Each pregnant patient has her own indications for certain treatment methods.

Refusal of professional dental care can lead to irritation of the nervous system and an unstable psycho-emotional state. And this, in combination with the use of folk remedies, can have a bad effect on the natural development of the fetus. If a tooth hurts during pregnancy, it is better to go to a dental clinic than to expose your baby to such a risk.

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.

Where to treat teeth during pregnancy

During pregnancy, you should definitely see a dentist. This will help avoid problems with tooth decay and prevent the moment when urgent treatment with anesthesia is necessary.

Don't be afraid to treat your teeth during pregnancy, especially if recommended by your doctor. Properly selected treatment does not harm the baby in any way, but, on the contrary, supports the normal development of the fetus and the health of the mother.

Prevention and emergency dental treatment during pregnancy is carried out at the EliteDental M dental clinic. Goal: to identify and eliminate diseases of the oral cavity in order to reduce the risk of possible complications during pregnancy.

Come for a free consultation at the EliteDental M clinic, undergo an examination and receive free treatment under the compulsory medical insurance system or for a small amount compared to other private dental clinics.

You can make an appointment with our dentists by leaving a request by email or by calling +7 (988) 544-63-54 (3 Zhdanova St.) and (6 Mironova St.). Or sign up online by submitting an application using the form below.