Pregnancy is both beautiful and full of surprises for the female body. As you are pregnant, your body goes through hormonal, nutritional, and physical changes that directly affect oral health. One of the sudden alterations that many expectant women undergo is tooth sensitivity.
When you experience intense pain during a hot or cold beverage or sweet or even brushing, you are not the only one. Although sensitive teeth during pregnancy are normal, they are most often associated with hormonal and lifestyle changes.
In this blog, we’ll explore why sensitive teeth happen during pregnancy, common symptoms, safe home remedies, and prevention tips to keep your smile healthy throughout these special months.
Why Do Sensitive Teeth Happen During Pregnancy?
Tooth sensitivity (in medical terms Dentin hypersensitivity) is a sharp temporary pain that occurs when the inner layer of teeth disrupts and this becomes common in pregnancy due to number of reasons. Following are the causes of sensitive teeth during pregnancy.
1. Hormonal Changes
Increases in estrogen and progesterone increase the sensitivity of gums, swelling, and inflammation of gums. This may cause pregnancy gingivitis, which causes the roots and one of the major reasons for sensitive teeth during pregnancy.
2. Morning Sickness
Recurring vomiting during early pregnancy introduces stomach acids to the mouth. These acids wear away the coating of teeth, the enamel, making the teeth sensitive to hot, cold, and sweet foods.
3. Calcium Deficiency
The unborn baby also needs calcium to form teeth and bones. Without sufficient consumption of calcium in your diet, your body may take the nutrient out of your teeth and bones, making them weakened and sensitive during pregnancy.
4. Gum Disease
Hormonal changes predispose one to gum infections like gingivitis or periodontitis. Gum recession due to such conditions places on delicate portions of the teeth.
5. Enhanced Blood Flows
Pregnancy naturally increases blood flow, including to the gums. This is natural, although it may cause your gums to be sensitive and react to any heat change.
Sensitive Teeth Pregnancy symptoms
If you are pregnant and experiencing tooth sensitivity. Here are symptoms of tooth sensitivity:
- Sharp pain when drinking hot or cold liquids
- Feel pain when eating sweets or acidic foods
- Discomfort during brushing and using flossing
- Bleeding, swollen, or tender gums
- Bad breath (in the case of gum disease)
- Gum recession in a severe case
Safe Home remedies for pregnancy tooth pain
Whether you have a toothache, tender gums, or sores. These are home remedies you can use:
1. Use a Soft-bristled Toothbrush
A soft-bristle brush will lead to minimized gum irritation and reduction of enamel wear, which minimizes teeth sensitivity.
2. Tricaine Toothpaste
Sensitive toothpaste can prevent transmitting pain to the nerves. Before switching to other alternatives, consult your dentist and always use fluoride-based toothpaste.
3. Rinse After Morning Vomiting
Once you have vomited, swish with water and a teaspoon of baking soda to rinse the stomach acids. Wait to brush after, as the newly weakened enamel will be more likely to wear away.
4. Eat a Healthy Diet
Include foods with calcium, such as milk, yogurt, cheese, leafy vegetables, and almonds. Also, ensure that you have suitable levels of Vitamin D and magnesium to help calcium absorption.
5. Stay Hydrated
Drinking lots of water supplies moisture in your mouth, cleans bacteria, and minimizes acid in the mouth. Dehydration is serious issue which can lead to number of other symptoms during pregnancy.
6. Warm Salt Water Rinse
To reduce inflammation and pain in the gums. Rinse your mouth with a cup of warm salt water (half a teaspoon of salt in warm water).
7. Avoid Trigger foods
Select lukewarm meals and snacks, and avoid extremely hot, cold, sweet, and acidic foods, which aggravate sensitivity.
When to Consult a Dentist
Although mild teeth sensitivity during pregnancy could be treated at home, one should not overlook the pain that occurs regularly. Contact your dentist in case you experience:
- Acute or continuous tooth discomfort
- Bleeding gums that are brushed very often
- Filled with pus, swelling, or severe inflammation of the gums
- Sensitivity that is not cured with home remedies
Cleanings, fillings, or gum infection treatment are safe during most of the pregnancy, especially in the second trimester. Do not forget to notify your dentist that you are pregnant so that they can be cautious about using invasive measures.
Avoiding Sensitive Teeth During Pregnancy
Prevention will always be superior to treatment. The proactive steps to offer protection to the teeth and gums during pregnancy are as follows:
1. Brush and Floss every day
Brush twice or more in a day with fluoride toothpaste and floss once a day to get rid of plaque and prevent gum disease.
2. Having Regular Dental Check-Ups
Make dental visits at least once during pregnancy. A professional cleaning is able to eliminate tartar and indicate the early symptoms of gum disease.
3. Eat a Dentist-Friendly Diet
Cut down on sweet snacks and acidic beverages such as soda, citrus juice. Rather, make sure to eat nutritious foods that fortify teeth and bones.
4. Use a Mouthguard (in case it is necessary)
A mouthguard will help save enamel and reduce sensitivity in case you grind your teeth at night (bruxism).
5. Avoid Overbrushing
Brushing too aggressively will wear away enamel and cause gum recession. Instead, use strokes lightly.
Sensitive Teeth, Pregnancy, and the health of your Baby
Healthy teeth and gums are not only essential to you, but to your baby as well during pregnancy. It has been found that gum disease, untreated, poses a threat to premature birth and low birth weight in pregnant women. Through proper oral hygiene measures and sensitivity treatment, you also protect the development of your baby.
Conclusion
Sensitive teeth during pregnancy can be very painful, but with cautious care, pregnant women with sensitive teeth never have to interfere with their lives. With proper oral hygiene, a well-balanced diet, and frequent visits to the dentist, you can learn to manage sensitivity and avoid any problems to keep your smile in good condition during pregnancy.
FAQS
Q1 Is it normal to have sensitive teeth during pregnancy?
Yes, it is common to have sensitive teeth during pregnancy. It is the normal physiological response to hormonal changes during pregnancy.
Q2 How can I treat tooth sensitivity at home while pregnant?
Use fluoride toothpastes for brushing and avoid eating too hot and cold foods. If your pain is severe you can take the recommended painkillers from your doctor.
Q3 When should I see a dentist during pregnancy?
If you are facing continuous pain, bleeding gums, and swelling, it’s the sign you should visit your Dentist and follow proper care.