Sensitive Teeth During Pregnancy: What To Expect And How to Cope
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Pregnancy comes with all sorts of surprises and aches and pains. We know that comes with the territory when you are going to have a baby, but some people don’t realize that one of the areas that can bring a lot of pain and sensitive teeth. This means extra pain to go along with your back pain and other bodily aches while you’re carrying your baby.
In this article, we will discuss what causes sensitive teeth during pregnancy. Plus, how to cope with tooth sensitivity and maximize oral health.
What Causes Sensitive Teeth During Pregnancy?
What are the causes of tooth sensitivity? It’s clear why we would get aches such as back aches, but what are the causes of teeth being more sensitive? It isn’t immediately clear.
Let’s dive into the 4 primary reasons that you might be dealing with sensitive teeth during pregnancy.
Hormones
Pregnancy hormones can have an impact on the way your body responds to any bacteria it comes into contact with. This means that you may get periodontal infections that cause tooth sensitivity and soreness and affect your overall oral health.
Increased blood flow
During pregnancy, you have increased blood flow as your system supports the baby. This extra blood flow means you’re more prone to inflammation. Thus, you may have swollen gums and tooth pain. These are often triggered by things like extreme temperatures both warm and cold.
Gum disease
Sadly, pregnant women are shown to be more susceptible to getting discomfort and gum disease. This can lead to bleeding of the teeth and gums. Plus, tooth sensitivity as well- all requiring possible dental treatment. (also see, dry mouth during pregnancy and risk of tooth decay.)
Enamel Erosion
Both morning sickness and changes in your diet (possibly down to cravings) can impact your tooth enamel. This is why it is important to look after your oral health during pregnancy to avoid potential pain.
How to Deal with Sensitive Teeth During Pregnancy
So, as you can see, dental care is even more essential during pregnancy. To improve your chances of getting through pregnancy without dental issues, we will share some tips for optimal oral hygiene. We hope these tips can help you deal with managing or preventing sensitive teeth during pregnancy.
Take note of the foods that trigger sensitivity
See if you can spot a pattern with certain foods you are eating and the tooth sensitivity they cause. It could be that it is hot and cold foods or even certain types of food and drink such as those containing acid or a lot of sugar. If a certain food or beverage is causing you problems then you may have to abstain for a while.
Use a soft-bristled brush
Hard bristles can irritate teeth and make it harder to effectively brush, especially if you have weak enamel or other dental issues. You might find that a softer brush is a lot less of an irritant and that it still brushes your teeth properly but without a residual level of pain during pregnancy after you’re finished brushing.
Limit sugary foods and carbohydrates
Both sugary foods and carbs have been linked to enamel erosion, which can cause a lot of tooth sensitivity and even further dental issues such as cavities. This might be a lot more complex in the future and lead to you having to get some sort of dental treatment that can be both costly and awkward.
Most of us know that sugary foods tend to be bad for the tooth, but that doesn’t always stop us from indulging. However, even if you have cravings during pregnancy, it might be a good idea to stay clear of things with a lot of sugar in them (plus, this is just good advice in general during pregnancy).
Drink water or rinse out your mouth after vomiting
It isn’t very nice to think about, but when we vomit we get all sorts of internal substances in our mouths. Some of these can be very bad for teeth. When we vomit, stomach acids can enter the mouth and this can be corrosive, breaking down the teeth and causing some serious problems.
If you suffer from sickness during pregnancy then there is every chance that your teeth are being exposed to acid. Be sure to rinse your mouth out or even brush your teeth.
Tell your dentist that you’re pregnant
It’s best to get regular dental checkups anyway. And if you are pregnant you should tell your dentist that this is the case. They might be able to help you or recommend certain products to help if you are dealing with pain and discomfort. It may not have felt like relevant information before, but now you know that being pregnant can have a big effect on your teeth, it is worth telling your dental professional.
Taking Care of Your Teeth During Pregnancy
We hope these tips for oral hygiene help you manage or prevent the onset of sensitive teeth during pregnancy. There’s enough discomfort to deal with, without having to add your teeth to the mix.
Have you experienced sensitive teeth during pregnancy? Have you noticed any specific triggers? What is most helpful? Feel free to comment below.
More about the author: Jessica is currently living in Las Vegas, and working with Stephen Spelman Dental Office to share the most relevant and reliable information in a clear, friendly manner through content on the website and outside.
