Many women experience having an abscessed tooth while pregnant. This situation may be more difficult because it is harder for pregnant people to manage pain with medication. This article shares more about what to do if you have a cracked, broken, or missing tooth during pregnancy.
An abscessed tooth
This is a tooth that has the formation of pus at the center of the tooth. This can cause extreme pain. It can also cause toothache and swollen gums.
What causes it?
An abscessed tooth can be caused by many things.
-Tooth decay. A decaying tooth can spread severe infection in the mouth. If there is a decaying tooth, there will also be increased chances of an abscess forming in that tooth.
-Broken or chipped tooth. If there are cracks in teeth, the enamel will not be string enough to protect the inner, more sensitive parts of the tooth from bacteria. Once the infection starts, it will lead to complete damage of the tooth pulp and then on to become an abscessed tooth
-Periodontal disease. If the gums are not healthy, the tissues supporting the teeth can lead to the formation of pus in the dental pulp. The pulp can accumulate and then eventually lead to an abscessed tooth.
What are the symptoms?
There are many telltale symptoms that you can look out for to know if you have an abscessed tooth while pregnant.
Some of the common symptoms are toothaches, tooth sensitivity, a foul odor or bitter taste in the mouth, having a fever and chills and swollen gums, neck, and jaws. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it would be a good idea to approach your dentist, they will be able to tell you how to manage the pain and also give you advice on what treatment methods would be best, especially since you are pregnant.
Prevention
Since pregnant people would be more prone to oral diseases, you have to work twice as hard to prevent any oral diseases from forming. It might require a little more effort, but it is possible.
Maintain good oral hygiene. Proper brushing and flossing will go a long way in the prevention of tooth decay and any type of oral disease. If you would want to use any medicated toothpaste, consult your dentist before doing so.
Always make sure your mouth is clean. Morning sickness can be a factor in the formation of an abscessed tooth while pregnant because of the content of the vomit. If you experience morning sickness, it is important to rinse your mouth right away, to prevent any of the particles from adhering to teeth.
Avoid sugary food. You need to maintain a balanced diet while you are pregnant, and to avoid sugary foods to avoid doing damage to your teeth.
If you are experiencing any type of oral pain, the best thing to do would be to consult your doctors. Both your obstetrician and dentist will be able to tell you which drugs you are allowed to take and they will also be able to tell you how to treat the abscessed tooth. You might also need an Xray, so it would be best if you consult both doctors before moving forward with any treatment.
