Toothache During Pregnancy

introduction

Toothache during pregnancy raises many questions in pregnant women, Which you probably haven't thought about before this particular situation.

In order not to endanger the well-being of the expectant child, one should inform oneself well about what is now allowed and which means one should rather avoid.

This article provides an overview of treating toothache during pregnancy.

Can the toothache be harmful to the baby?

Toothache is always stressful for the mother and every doctor advises all mothers to avoid stress during pregnancy as much as possible. The reason for this is that persistent pain can harm the child and have a strong negative impact on them.

Since toothaches are often permanent, they also produce permanent stress and increased cortisol levels. Cortisol is the stress hormone, which has been scientifically proven to change the mother's amniotic fluid over a longer period of time, which has a negative impact on child development. It is believed that the IQ of children who grew up with elevated cortisol levels during pregnancy is lower.

Furthermore, researchers suspect a connection between mental and neural illness in children as a result of increasing stress in the pregnant woman.

Therefore, when you discover the pregnancy, you should do a check-up with the treating dentist in order to remedy all complaints and to treat teeth in need of treatment beforehand so that toothache does not arise in the first place.

Side effects of toothache during pregnancy

Due to the hormonal changes, the teeth are stressed by the side effects of pregnancy. In addition to a toothache, the gums redden, the soft tissues swell and, if left untreated, the teeth can loosen. During daily dental care, changes in the gums can lead to increased bleeding of the gums.

Vomiting, which affects many pregnant women between the first and fourth months, is also increasingly stressing the teeth. The stomach acid attacks the tooth enamel and can lead to erosion with increasing stress. The acid content removes parts of the enamel and the tooth is poorly protected. He may be over-sensitive to thermal stimuli such as cold foods.

Furthermore, the hormonal changes also change the saliva, so that the buffering effect of acids decreases. This makes it easier for tooth decay to form and spread, and pain in the teeth can increase. For pregnant women, the pain sensation is changed so that pain is felt more violently and the level of the stress hormone cortisol increases, which can have a negative effect on the unborn child.

What should be considered in case of toothache during pregnancy?

Even when diagnosing toothache, there are special features. With X-ray diagnostics, the radiation exposure in the pelvic area is only 0.1 - 1 pGy if radiation protection is carried out correctly. Although this corresponds to the normal background radiation, X-ray diagnostics should only be carried out in pregnant women in the 1st trimester if there is a compelling indication in order to be able to rule out any consequences for the embryo.
Pregnancy is divided into three trimesters.

• The first trimester is considered to be "vulnerable phase". This is where the embryo is most sensitive, as the organs are created at this time.
• The 2nd trimester is considered to be the most stable phase and is best suited for dental treatments.
• In the 3rd trimester there is a possible danger, the occurrence of premature labor, which here mainly influences the choice of anesthetic.

treatment

With regard to the prescription of medication by the dentist, the attending gynecologist should be consulted if the prescription is longer.

Aspirin should not be taken during the 1st trimester as it increases the risk of bleeding and premature closure of the embryo Ductus arteriosus Botalli can lead. Opioids can lead to slow breathing and dependence in the newborn and are therefore contraindicated during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Read more on the topic: Behavior during breastfeeding

Antibiotics can be taken as long as the therapy requires. Antibiotics of the type such as Penicilin, amoxicilin, or cepahlospoein considered safe during pregnancy.

Toothache during pregnancy should best be treated with paracetamol, which is considered to be the most tolerable during pregnancy.

Ibuprofen is available as an alternative in the event of intolerance. Aspirin with the active ingredient acetylsalicylic acid (ASS 100) is contraindicated during pregnancy due to the side effects described above.

Read more on the topic: Medication during pregnancy

During treatment for toothache during pregnancy, the patient's position should also be considered. If the pregnancy is advanced, the patient should be treated in a left-side position if possible. Since this is usually not possible in a dental chair, treatment should be given in a slightly legal position in order to avoid blood congestion.

Amalgam fillings should not be removed during pregnancy unless it can be avoided. If unavoidable, amalgam should be removed using a rubber dam.

Toothache during pregnancy is often triggered by pulpitis / tooth pulp inflammation if it was not foreseeable (e.g. long-standing caries, residual roots).
The therapy of choice here is a root canal treatment. This can also be done during pregnancy, so that in most cases freedom from pain can be achieved. However, the practitioner must take into account the patient's special situation and should therefore allow for breaks in long-term treatments.

The treatment should be as painless and stress-free as possible for the patient in order to have the least possible impact on the cardiovascular system.
All major or long-term treatments should be postponed until after pregnancy if possible.

Paracetamol for toothache during pregnancy

Most painkillers should not be taken during pregnancy or during the subsequent breastfeeding period. The reason for this is possible damage to the child's organism. Some pain relievers can even do an important bypassing of the embryonic bloodstream (Botallus duct) to close prematurely. Inhibiting labor is also a typical side effect of many pain relievers.

For toothache during pregnancy, paracetamol has so far been the pain reliever of choice. From a medical point of view, the active ingredient may be taken during the entire pregnancy. The use of paracetamol should only be omitted in the last few days before the calculated due date. In addition, a maximum daily dose of 500 to 1000mg should not be exceeded during pregnancy.

In addition, doctors recommend taking no more than ten days per month of pregnancy. Even if an influence on the child's organism while taking paracetamol is much less likely than with other painkillers, each use should be discussed with a doctor or pharmacist beforehand.

Paracetamol is not completely safe for toothache during pregnancy. According to the latest studies from Scandinavia, England and North America, the use of paracetamol should not be underestimated even for toothache during pregnancy.
Higher doses of the active ingredient paracetamol are said to cause side effects such as high blood pressure.

In addition, increased cases of liver damage and incorrect testicles could be linked to the use of paracetamol. As a result of the incorrect position of the testicles, the child's later fertility could be limited. The risk of developing testicular tumors is also decisively influenced by the malformation. For this reason, patients should exercise caution when handling paracetamol even if they have acute toothache during pregnancy.

Read more on the subject at: Paracetamol in pregnancy

Ibuprofen for toothache during pregnancy

Ibuprofen is extremely controversial in pregnancy because it can only be taken in the first and second third (trimester) of pregnancy. Ibuprofen must not be taken in the third trimester, as it prematurely closes the botallus duct of the unborn child. This is a vascular connection between the pulmonary artery and the aorta of the unborn child, which only closes after birth.

Ibuprofen is not recommended, especially from the 30th week of pregnancy, as it has an anti-labor effect. Furthermore, taking ibuprofen from the third trimester onwards can also lead to kidney damage in babies. Paracetamol is considered the pain medication of choice during pregnancy. However, taking any pain medication during pregnancy should be discussed with the attending gynecologist.

Read more on the topic: Ibuprofen in pregnancy

Alternative pain relievers for toothache in pregnancy

Arnica is probably one of the best known alternative pain relievers. In addition to being used for toothache during pregnancy, this alternative pain reliever is also suitable for relieving back and joint problems.

In addition, bruises and swellings can be effectively treated by taking the alternative pain reliever arnica. The clear advantage of this homeopathic drug is its wide range of uses. Arnica is suitable in the form of small balls for internal use, but can also be used externally as a solution. If you suffer from mild toothache during pregnancy, in many cases it is sufficient to rinse the oral cavity several times a day with a water-arnica solution.

Severe toothache during pregnancy can be relieved by taking this alternative pain reliever orally. Arnica can be used safely in children, adults and the elderly. Use during pregnancy is also completely safe. Another alternative pain reliever that can be used for toothache during pregnancy is ginger. The effectiveness of ginger lies mainly in its anti-inflammatory properties.

Home remedies for toothache during pregnancy

Especially during pregnancy, the use of painkillers, regardless of the active ingredient, should be reduced to a minimum. For this reason, the use of home remedies for acute toothache during pregnancy should be seriously considered.

The most popular home remedies for treating toothache during pregnancy are onions, saline solutions, cloves, and chamomile. In addition, alcoholic solutions, tea tree oil, and herbal vapors are particularly helpful for toothache during pregnancy.

The choice of the most suitable home remedy depends primarily on the intensity and quality of the toothache present. The cause of the symptoms should also not be ignored.
While toothache caused by inflammation can be effectively alleviated, for example by biting cloves, the symptoms tend to increase with pain caused by nerves.

Read more on the topic: Home remedies for toothache

Homeopathy for toothache during pregnancy

Homeopathy can be used during pregnancy without having to worry about harming the unborn child. The globules Chamoilla, Calcium carbonicum and Kreosotum in strength D6 to D12 have proven themselves in toothache. It is important to treat the specific complaints with the optimal globules. A consultation with the attending dentist and alternative practitioner can be helpful in choosing the right medication and strength.

Is local anesthesia possible during pregnancy?

It is entirely possible to receive local anesthesia during pregnancy, but it must be ensured that only certain local anesthetics are used in order not to harm the unborn child. Only local anesthetics that have a high protein binding rate are used, which means that only traces of them get into the bloodstream and most of them remain bound to proteins. As a result, only a very small fraction can get into the bloodstream and even reach the unborn child.

High levels of adrenaline should be avoided. Local anesthetics with norepinephrine, octapressin or felypressin are not indicated as they can induce preterm labor and are therefore not used during pregnancy.

Local anesthetics that can be used during pregnancy include articaine and bupivacaine. Nevertheless, the first trimester, the first third of pregnancy, is considered to be the most vulnerable phase for mother and child, during which medication and dental treatment should be cautious. The second trimester is considered to be the most stable phase of pregnancy (from the 4th month), in which interventions on the teeth are most likely to take place.

Read more on the topic: Local anesthetics in pregnancy

Tea tree oil

So far there have been no studies or scientific evidence as to whether the use of tea tree oil for toothache during pregnancy is completely harmless for the unborn child. However, when treating the oral cavity by gargling and rinsing, an increased concentration in the maternal bloodstream is not to be expected, as the diluted oil only reaches this in traces. Before use, however, you should clarify with the attending physician.

Can a toothache be a sign of pregnancy?

The tissues become softer during pregnancy, which is why inflammation in the oral cavity can develop more easily, which can be interpreted as a sign of pregnancy. If this inflammation causes pain in the teeth, the symptoms are a consequence of the changes in pregnancy. Since inflammation of the gums or the gums such as pregnancy gingivitis often feels like generalized toothache to those affected, these symptoms can be interpreted as signs of pregnancy.

Nevertheless, toothache in a particular tooth or group is never a sign of pregnancy, and not every inflammatory disease in the oral cavity is a cause for concern. If you want to be absolutely sure, the attending gynecologist should be visited to have a pregnancy test done. Furthermore, the dentist should also be visited to alleviate the symptoms and treat the cause of the pain. Because the old folk adage that one tooth is lost per pregnancy definitely does not have to apply.

Summary

Particular caution is required with toothache during pregnancy, as not every common pain reliever or home remedy can be taken in order to avoid harming the child and mother. Paracetamol is the pain reliever of choice in this case. Due to sufficient clinical experience and widespread use, it is low-dosed, not combined with other medications and in consultation with the doctor, for toothache during pregnancy and during breastfeeding.

Paracetamol crosses the placenta and the fetus can only break down foreign substances to a limited extent, which is why overdosing or prolonged use is not advisable. Ibuprofen can be taken up to the 28th week of pregnancy. Aspirin should not be taken, especially in the last trimester of pregnancy, as it can block an important blood vessel.

Diclofenac should also not be taken in the last trimester of pregnancy, as it, like other pain relievers, can inhibit labor.

Celecoxib or etoricoxib should not be used due to a lack of experience. Of course, the well-known home remedies can also be used, which usually help to relieve pain. However, not cloves or the oil made from them, as they can cause premature labor.

In any case, however, consultation with a doctor is necessary in order to avoid subsequent damage to the unborn child.