Mum shares her horrible experience with dental problems during pregnancy.

A worried mum shared how she is 32 weeks pregnant with her second baby and suffering from terrible tooth pain.

She shared, “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 so 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.”

Dental stress during pregnancy

The change in hormones during pregnancy can often affect your gums and you may have noticed more bleeding when you brush your teeth.

This increases the likelihood of gum infections, which can cause you to feel unwell.

Gum problems

The hormones associated with pregnancy can make some women susceptible to gum problems including:

• gingivitis (gum inflammation) – this is more likely to occur during the second trimester. Symptoms include swelling of the gums and bleeding, particularly during brushing and when flossing between teeth
• undiagnosed or untreated periodontal disease – pregnancy may worsen this chronic gum infection, which is caused by untreated gingivitis and can lead to tooth loss
• pregnancy epulis or pyogenic granuloma – a localised enlargement of the gum, which can bleed easily. This may require additional professional cleaning, and rarely excision.
• During pregnancy, the gum problems that occur are not due to increased plaque, but a worse response to plaque as a result of increased hormone levels.

Vomiting can damage teeth

Pregnancy hormones soften the ring of muscle that keeps food inside the stomach. Gastric reflux (regurgitating food or drink) or the vomiting associated with morning sickness can coat your teeth with strong stomach acids. Repeated reflux and vomiting can damage tooth enamel and increase the risk of decay.

Did you suffer with any dental issues during pregnancy?

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