Tooth Pain During Pregnancy: What You Can Do About It
Posted December 27, 2019
Pregnancy is a magical time where you’re absolutely glowing — except, you know, for the swollen ankles, morning sickness, constant aches… you get it. Tooth pain is yet another wonderful symptom of the baby you are growing. But don’t worry, experiencing tooth pain while pregnant is relatively common — you can thank hormones for this!
The easiest way to minimize tooth pain during pregnancy is maintaining good oral health habits, which includes:
- Not skimping on healthy habits — make sure to brush twice a day and floss.
- Rinse your mouth with 1 tsp of baking soda in a glass of water after you get sick.
- Getting a dental checkup during your pregnancy.
If your tooth pain doesn’t go away or is severe, see your dentist right away. Seeing a dentist while pregnant is totally safe and recommended — and it’s good to get this taken care of before your hands are full (literally) with your new baby. If you need help finding a local dentist who takes your insurance, we can help you out.
If you have cavities get them fixed before giving birth. You can pass cavity-causing germs to your baby by sharing utensils, food or even kissing.
While you wait for your appointment, there are home remedies for a toothache while pregnant that can offer you short-term relief.
Identify Food and Drink Sensitivities
Some women find tooth sensitivity increases when they eat hot foods or drink hot beverages, while others have sensitivity to cold drinks or foods. Figuring what foods and drinks exacerbate sensitivity or pain is a helpful first step to reducing toothaches during your pregnancy.
Saltwater Rinse
Swishing warm, salty water (1 teaspoon of salt added to a cup of warm water) around in your mouth can help reduce inflammation, which might offer some relief. Swish the mixture around a few times before spitting it out.
Cold Compress
If your face is swollen, put an ice pack on your cheek. This can help ease pain and swelling.
Garlic
An alternative to taking painkillers, garlic is a natural antibiotic that can help kill any bacteria in the infected area, which may help reduce pain. Just peel a clove and either chew on it directly or apply it to the affected area. Just be sure to carry around some extra breath mints, too.