If you are going to become a mother for the second time then you may know that toothache in pregnancy is really common but for new mothers, sensitive teeth in pregnancy may be a completely new thing.
Don’t worry if you are suffering from oral cavity issues, as this article will guide you all about care for oral Cavity in pregnancy
Sensitive Teeth In Pregnancy
It is common for almost all mothers to suffer from different types of changes in pregnancy that are not Muchly favorable.
Almost everyone knows that mold swings, food cravings, and morning sicknesses are something that a pregnant mother suffers from
Some women also feel pain in the back because of baby weight, swollen feet, fatigue, and nausea also go hand in hand with pregnancy. The journey is hard but Worth it because of the cute little angel and experiencing the perk of motherhood.
A new mother may think they only have to suffer from changes in the stomach and back, but that’s not the case; other organs, including the oral cavity, are equally affected by pregnancy. Dental issues in pregnancy are really common and are considered one of the early signs of pregnancy.
The hormonal spike in pregnancy not only causes gum inflammation but also becomes a cause of sensitive teeth. We can say that sensitive teeth In pregnancy are really common, and 9 out of 10 women suffer from this, but what causes sensitive teeth, and how can you cure them?
These are some of the most common questions a new mother frequently asks a gynecologist. A gynecologist may not answer such questions in a satisfactory manner but a dentist can do
How Oral Cavity Affected By Pregnancy?
Pregnancy can be the most beautiful nine months of a mother’s life and the most challenging one.
Mothers do multiple things to ensure a healthy pregnancy, including prenatal care, maintaining a healthy diet, and taking supplements.
Just for the baby’s health, many bad addictions, such as smoking and drinking, are given up by mothers.
When you are pregnant, you can observe different changes in your body from head to toe. The same is the case with the oral cavity of a mother. During pregnancy, due to spikes in different hormones, the oral cavity is affected adversely, and the gums become inflamed.
The body and oral cavity changes result from sudden spikes in some hormones.
A spike in hormones such as progesterone and estrogen can cause symptoms like vomiting, nausea, and morning sicknesses. Excessive vomiting can make teeth more prone to plaque deposition.
This plaque buildup is one of the most common reasons for pregnancy gingivitis (bleeding and inflamed gums). According to a trusted study, almost 75% of women suffer from pregnancy gingivitis because of excessive vomiting.
It can be converted into pregnancy periodontitis if you don’t treat gingivitis and excessive vomiting early. This infection will destroy your gums, alveolar bone, and teeth. Your teeth will become loose in the socket and will also become hypersensitive.
If plaque is not controlled at early pregnancy stages, you may develop pregnancy tumors. Don’t be worried about them as they are not cancerous growth but are only noncancerous plaque growth on gums.
These growths are most commonly observed in the second trimester and can cause much pain, inflammation, and redness, making it extremely difficult to eat or drink. This tumor growth automatically vanishes after baby birth, but they may make taking proper nutrition a difficult task.
These changes alone are hard to beat, but pregnancy has some more surprises for you, and the surprise is food cravings. These cravings are common in pregnancy, but in most cases, these are not healthy things.
Most of the time, you may crave foods rich in sugar and simple carbohydrates, and you may just eat whatever you want until the food shifts the balance of your mouth to acidic, and you are at risk of Enamel erosion and cavities.
The acidic environment in the mouth, combined with acid reflux, morning sicknesses, and frequent vomiting, will cause enamel erosion. This will result in excessive pain, plaque tumors, and dentine hypersensitivity.
Treatment Plan For A Pregnant Woman In Pregnancy
It is normal to suffer from oral cavity irritation in pregnancy, but it is not normal that you start to ignore your oral health. You must follow these steps if you observe any change in your oral cavity.
See your Dentist Regularly
If you are pregnant and suffering from tooth pain or any other unwanted changes in the oral cavity, then don’t suffer in silence; instead, talk to your dentist immediately about it.
If you don’t have a regular dentist visit in the past, then use the health services of your area to find a good dentist for you.
It is a misconception that x-rays and dental procedures are not safe in pregnancy; they are completely safe in most cases.
Some treatments are not recommended in the first trimester, but they can be performed easily in the second trimester, so you just have to wait a little.
The treatments not to be performed in the first trimester are filling or root canal(treatment that requires anesthesia). These treatments can increase the risk of miscarriage.
These treatments are safe in the second trimester as the baby’s vital organs are already developed, and there is less risk of miscarriage.
Receive Dental Cleaning At Time
Suppose you think that regular dental cleanings will harm your baby. In that case, it is just a misconception, as general dental cleaning doesn’t harm your baby, so you can continue to schedule the cleanings as you normally do. You must receive dental cleaning regularly.
Dental Cleaning during pregnancy will reduce hypersensitivity, which can result from too much plaque.
Dental cleaning will also help treat pregnancy Gingivitis because of the risk of periodontitis. Your dentist may recommend frequent cleaning every three months, which is supposed to perform normally after six months.
Plaque removal also helps to ease irritation because of pregnancy tumors. You can feel relaxed after cleaning, but the plaque tumors will not disappear until delivery, which is completely normal.
You can use mouthwash, toothpaste, and floss at home to maintain good oral health. If you have an anti-gingivitis mouthwash and toothpaste but are not sure about floss, then take a look at Best Floss For Gingivitis in 2022: Reviews And Buying Guide
Go For More Specialised Treatment
It is not common, but sometimes the pregnancy tumor interferes with normal eating, and your nutrition may be compromised. In such cases, your dentist will advise you to remove the tumor. Still, you must wait until the second or third trimester because this procedure involves local anesthesia to numb the area.
If you suffer from severe periodontal disease during pregnancy and because of periodontal disease, your teeth become loose and fall out, then extraction will help stop the pain and sensitivity. You can also go for replacement options such as an implant or bridge, but do it only in the second trimester, not in the first or third trimester.
FAQs
Can I go for treatment in the third trimester?
In most cases, it is not usually recommended to go for treatments during the first and third trimesters. Still, you can go for such treatments in the second trimester as it is considered the safest trimester.
Can you lose teeth because of pregnancy?
Yes, if you don’t follow the advice of your dentist and don’t go for routine cleaning, you can lose your teeth due to pregnancy periodontitis.
Conclusion
Pregnancy sensitivity is common; almost 75% of mothers suffer from this, so you know you are not alone.
When you feel sensitive teeth in pregnancy, ensure that you maintain good oral hygiene and follow your dentist’s guidelines regularly.
If you observe any significant change in your oral health which doesn’t seem favorable, then immediately book an appointment with your dentist, so you don’t suffer from any physical or financial loss.