How to Manage Toothache During Pregnancy

Toothache is certainly one of the discomforts that pregnant women can feel. To find out the causes and whether or not toothache is dangerous during pregnancy, let’s look at the explanation below.

Pregnant with a child is certainly a happy moment for mothers. However, pregnant women can also experience various complaints and discomfort. Starting from nausea, fatigue, vomiting, back pain to toothache. Dental disease in pregnant women can affect the condition of the baby in the womb, for example premature birth and low birth weight of the baby.

Causes of toothache during pregnancy

Toothache during pregnancy can vary, from gum disease to cavities. The following are things related to toothache during pregnancy and how to relieve the symptoms:

1. Hormonal changes.
   Hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy increase the likelihood of inflammation of the gums (gingivitis). In gingivitis, the gums swell and sometimes bleed when the mother brushes her teeth. Another disease that can arise due to pregnancy is periodontal disease, which is a disease of the tissue supporting the teeth. This condition can arise due to gingivitis that is not treated properly. Another condition related to gums during pregnancy is the appearance of a lump in the gums called epulis gravidarum or pregnancy tumor. This condition can cause discomfort, even difficulty when talking or eating.
   During hormonal changes, the immune system is also disturbed so that it is less able to protect the body from bacteria that cause tooth and gum disease. Therefore, pregnant women are advised to diligently brush their teeth at least twice a day, use dental flossing (dental floss) at least once a day, and rinse their mouths with antiseptic mouthwash.
2. Vomit.
   Pregnancy hormones cause the muscle ring that keeps food in the stomach to weaken. Vomiting food or drink exposes the teeth to strong stomach acid. Repeated vomiting can eventually damage tooth enamel and increase the risk of cavities. Gargle with water after vomiting. Continue gargling with fluoride mouthwash or rubbing a small amount of toothpaste all over your teeth. Then rinse with water until clean. One hour after vomiting, then brush your teeth.
3. Calcium deficiency.
   Apart from the two things above, it was previously believed that if a mother lacks calcium intake, her teeth will be more susceptible to cavities because the baby’s calcium needs are taken from the mother’s teeth. However, this belief is not entirely true because the baby’s calcium needs will first be taken from the mother’s bones if the mother’s calcium intake is insufficient. If it is very deficient, then the mother’s teeth can also be affected. For this reason, pregnant women must have sufficient calcium intake. Adequate amounts of calcium will protect the mother’s bone mass and meet the nutritional needs of the baby in the womb. Calcium can be obtained by consuming milk, cheese and yoghurt.
4. Eat lots of sweet foods.
   Another cause of dental health problems during pregnancy is the habit of consuming sweet foods. Foods containing sugar can increase acid production in the mouth. Over time, the increase in acid can damage teeth and make them hurt.

Several ways to prevent toothache during pregnancy

To prevent toothache during pregnancy, pregnant women need to always maintain oral hygiene in the following ways:

1. Brush your teeth at least twice every day, especially after breakfast and before going to bed, and choose a toothbrush with soft bristles.
2. Limit consumption of sweet foods and drinks, including fizzy drinks.
3. Drink lots of water and consume fruit and vegetables.
4. Avoid mouthwash or mouthwash that contains alcohol.
5. Stay away from cigarettes and cigarette smoke.

What is the correct dental care during pregnancy?

Generally, dental treatment and care during pregnancy is safe to do. Dentists usually recommend dental treatment in the second trimester of pregnancy or early third trimester of pregnancy. Because the first trimester of pregnancy is a very important time for the growth and development of the baby, so any procedures that are feared to be disruptive should be avoided. Meanwhile, in the last half of the third trimester, the uterus becomes sensitive and as a result the risk of premature birth may increase. However, if there is a condition that requires immediate treatment, such as a broken tooth or tooth infection, dental treatment can be carried out throughout the pregnancy. Your gynecologist and dentist can discuss the safest options to avoid complications that may occur during dental treatment. Careful consideration must also be made to ensure that each drug used is safe for mother and baby.

There are many choices of toothache medicine during pregnancy that pregnant women can use. However, before using it, pregnant women should consult a doctor first. This is important to do so that doctors can determine the cause of toothache that pregnant women experience and provide appropriate treatment according to the cause.

Once the cause of toothache experienced by pregnant women is known, the doctor can provide the following options for toothache medication that are safe to use during pregnancy:

1. Pain relievers.
   To relieve symptoms of tooth pain, doctors can prescribe pain relievers, such as paracetamol. This drug is classified as safe for use by pregnant women. Meanwhile, other types of pain relievers, such as mefenamic acid, aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen should probably not be taken because they have a higher risk of causing a number of problems in pregnancy, including miscarriage.
2. Antiseptic mouthwash.
   Apart from prescribing pain relievers, doctors can also prescribe antiseptic mouthwash to prevent the growth of germs in the teeth and mouth. To treat severe toothache, your doctor may prescribe a mouthwash containing benzocaine. However, this drug may only be used for a few days and not long term. This drug may also be less safe to use if the pregnancy is still in the first trimester. The thing to remember, avoid buying mouthwash without a doctor’s prescription. Many mouthwashes sold freely contain alcohol. If used, the alcohol in mouthwash can worsen the pain you experience in your teeth.
3. Antibiotics.
   The doctor will prescribe antibiotics if the pregnant woman’s toothache is caused by a bacterial infection. If antibiotics are prescribed, pregnant women need to consume them until they are finished even if the symptoms of toothache have subsided. Avoid using antibiotics as a medicine for toothache during pregnancy without a doctor’s recommendation or prescription. This is because some types of antibiotics have the risk of causing side effects that are dangerous for the pregnancy and fetus.
4. Gargle with salt water.
   Salt water is a natural disinfectant. Apart from being able to relieve toothache, gargling with salt water can also remove dirt that may still be left in the mouth, relieve inflammation and swelling of the gums, and speed up the recovery of wounds in the mouth. This method is also very easy to do. Pregnant women only need to mix ½ teaspoon of salt with a glass of warm water, then stir until the salt dissolves in the water. After that, pregnant women can gargle for 10-15 minutes, then spit the salt water out of their mouth.

1. Use toothache medicine from a doctor.
   When checking your teeth at the doctor, pregnant women are obliged to tell the doctor that they are pregnant. It is important to determine the type of treatment and medication for toothache, especially if the health problem is related to gum and tooth infections. Treatment for pregnant women should not be haphazard because some drugs have side effects on the fetus and other complications.
2. Use natural toothache medicine.
   Pregnant women can also use natural toothache medicine. This drug is generally effective in treating this health problem temporarily. Some natural remedies for toothache that can be used are:
   1. Chew cloves or rub clove oil on the outside of the affected tooth.
   2. Chew spinach leaves.
   3. Compress with a warm cloth on the outside of the affected tooth to reduce the pain.
   4. Gargle with boiled water from guava leaves.
   5. Consume garlic.
3. Increase your intake of calcium and vitamin D.
   Pregnant women who have toothache also need to increase their intake which contains lots of calcium and vitamin D. Consume natural sources of calcium and vitamin D such as cheese, soy milk, sea fish and eggs.
4. Keep your teeth clean.
   Apart from trying several ways to deal with toothache in pregnant women above, make sure your teeth and mouth are always maintained. Brush your teeth carefully, use a soft toothbrush, and use a toothpaste that doesn’t make you nauseous.

If pregnant women have gum problems or toothache, consult a dentist or gynecologist. It’s even better if you check with a dentist when planning a pregnancy. No matter how small the pain you experience, there can be risks that can impact your pregnancy.