Dental stress during pregnancy - any suggestions or reassurance?

This is quite long. I am currently 32 weeks pregnant with my second. My first pregnancy was a breeze and I had a healthy girl who is now 3. This time round it has been very difficult and I have been miserable. Since about 12 weeks I have had severe dental problems. I have had two extractions and a root canal. I was on antibiotics twice and I have to take panadol often everyday for tooth pain. Basically my teeth have fallen apart. It’s that bad I have to get dentures.

It has been very stressful for me and my partner, we have spent well over $1000 on dental and have just managed to get out of debt because of it. I am still having problems. Just recently one of my teeth has broken off right down to the gum line and we cannot afford to get it cut out nor will a dentist see me this late in pregnancy. So I can barely eat and I have to drink my food otherwise I will cop horrible pain that I have to take panadol for. One of my extraction sites has been giving me problems also. It was soo bad one night I was screaming and crying in agony for hours and I took two nurofen plus tablets just so i could get some sleep.

I am terribly worried about my baby and if he is okay with all that has and is still going on. I am taking at least 3 panadol a day to get me through the pain. Because of this I have developed severe anxiety where I can hardly sleep most nights. All my check ups have been good, there seems to be no problems with baby and he is very active but I can’t help but worry about him. Will this constant use of panadol and stress and anxiety harm my unborn son? Has anyone else been through something like this? I just need some advice to put my mind at rest. My doctor and midwife aren’t much help, they just tell me to stop stressing. I can’t. I just want my baby to be okay. It’s scaring me and I am at my wits end.

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- - Ellen said
  - 14 Feb 2022
    4:50 am
Aw bless, poor you ! I hope you came well through the rest of your pregnancy ! Keep up with the dental checks. It’s known that pregnancies can badly impact your teeth. Personally I would look into an insurance which covers dental work
- - coastalkaryn said
  - 23 Jan 2016
    8:42 pm
make your dentist your new best friend – they will guide you through it
- - june11 said
  - 19 Sep 2015
    11:15 pm
I would ask a pharmacist if it is safe to dab Oil of Cloves on it while you are pregnant. It doesn’t taste very nice but will will numb your tooth and give you pain relief. I used it when I couldn’t get into the Dentist for 4 days because of a long weekend. However I wasn’t pregnant. You won’t need to take as much panadol if you are able to use it. I find even ordinary
panadol tends to take me constipated. Be aware though that if you get it on your tongue it will numb it too and you have to make sure you don’t bite it.
- - mom94125 said
  - 18 Sep 2015
    7:33 pm
you will be ok. panadol is fine
- - ashblonde said
  - 12 Sep 2015
    3:31 pm
I’m certain your doctor’s would tell you if they thought the pain meds weren’t safe to take. I would enquire if you are able to have free dental work through the dental hospital as constant tooth aches would be wearing you thin & you need all the sleep you can get for your own sake. It would be a wonderful gift if a relative could help you out financially at this time, as a healthy happy Mummy is very important for your family right now. Take care.
- - mum4107 said
  - 11 Sep 2015
    6:13 am
You poor lady. Do not worry about the panadol if your Dr has said it’s ok.
What you need to try and concentrate on, is relaxing. I would suggest yoga or meditation to try and help you relax
- - kymichelle said
  - 09 Sep 2015
    4:35 pm
I’m sorry to read this and can understand why you are so stressed. Many of us have had to take pain relief (often stronger) and other medications throughout pregnancy. The baby is very well protected.

Please try to take care of yourself and find a way to help you relax and get some good sleep in these last weeks. Perhaps your doctor could suggest some relaxation techniques. I would suggest herbal teas too but may not be an option with your teeth. I wish you all the very best and really feel for you.
- - mom56312 said
  - 09 Sep 2015
    4:25 pm
I would just like to tell you in each of my pregnancies my teeth seemed to fall apart as well, i think its all the goodness is going to the bubs instead of where it usually goes into the body. I would check with your doctor on your next check up just to reassure yourself everything will be fine.( i think they are saying its ok, if it was not ok they would be telling you to stop taking them) I did take medication and antibiotics at times in each pregnany and my kids ar all ok. Best thing you can do for your own happiness is try not to stress.