Dental implants can make a smile look fabulous – I know I have them. However, if you are just thinking about getting them, you may have a lot of questions. You may be wondering how smoking affects implants, whether or not wine will stain them, if they can be whitened or other concerns. I also know from experience that it can be intimidating to ask some of these questions to your dentist. In my dental implant blog, I am going to answer the questions that can be hard to ask. I hope you find the info you need in this blog and that it guides you to the right decision about dental implants. Thanks for reading!
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How Can Pregnancy Make Your Teeth Hurt?
Isobel Berry
Pregnancy comes with assorted aches and pains, and it can seem like no part of your body is safe. While it might be unexpected to develop a toothache while pregnant, it's actually quite common for the hormonal changes your body is experiencing to have an effect on your dental health. But does being pregnant make it difficult for a dentist to treat your problem?
Gingivitis While Pregnant
There are several dental issues directly related to being pregnant. You won't necessarily experience them, but it's important to be aware of the possibility. One of the most common is pregnancy gingivitis, caused by elevated levels of a hormone known as progesterone. This hormone can boost blood flow to your gingival tissues, resulting in gums that are sore and swollen. There can also be a small amount of bleeding after brushing and flossing. While the issue is in fact centred around your gums, it can feel like a toothache. The condition can be managed with a professional dental cleaning, which is perfectly safe while pregnant.
Dental Enamel Erosion and Toothaches
Pregnancy can sometimes accelerate tooth decay, and it does this in two different ways:
- Your pregnancy food cravings can increase your consumption of food rich in sugars and carbohydrates. The bacteria in your mouth then interact with these sugars and carbohydrates, producing an acidic byproduct, which attacks your dental enamel.
- Your dental enamel might also be compromised (or even eroded) if you experience morning sickness. When you vomit food, you also bring up stomach acid (which is primarily hydrochloric acid). This also attacks your teeth, potentially leading to the erosion of your enamel, cavities, and toothache.
Is the treatment for enamel erosion and any corresponding toothache different when you're pregnant?
Dental Treatment While Pregnant
When seeking dental treatment while pregnant, it's absolutely essential to inform your dentist that you're expecting a baby. Some invasive dental procedures cannot be performed when the patient is pregnant, but this is more related to anything that might require surgery, such as a dental implant. You can have a cavity filled while pregnant, and even something like a root canal is possible. Again, please remember to tell your dentist that you're pregnant, as this will play a role in the best form of any required anaesthetic.
So while a few dental problems are perfectly natural while pregnant, you don't need to wait until your baby has arrived before your dentist can solve these problems.
Contact a local dentist if you have toothaches.
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