I am eight months pregnant and I am in severe pain from toothache. I can't visit a dentist for 72 hours. What medications or home remedies can I use?



Considering that your body is already under a significant amount of stress because of the upcoming delivery, having to contend with the existence of severe toothache is not only extremely painful, but inconvenient as well. A number of expecting mothers put off any dental work during the pregnancy out of fear that it will somehow negatively impact the unborn child. In fact it is the negligence of the pain and the problem that will affect the unborn child as a result of the increases stress levels in the body. A number of women in their last trimester have reported severe toothache as a result of the tooth decay being allowed to progress relatively unchecked. The fact that pregnant women will often experience food cravings makes it even more likely for her to develop plaque over her teeth at a higher rate. As a result, a number of expecting mothers are regularly advised to follow strict oral hygiene as prevention is always better than cure. It is also important to make sure that your gums are in good health as some women tend to clench their gums in labor which, in turn, can cause long lasting damage to the teeth.

Under normal circumstances, oral care in the event of a severe toothache is relatively easier. However, since you are pregnant, it is important to know what substances can be administered to your body that will not affect the unborn child. Clove is one of the oldest and most successful treatments for toothache. You could try applying a price of clove on the affected tooth, or between the affected tooth and the one directly in front of it. However, you must remember to spit out the residue that accumulates with the spit in your mouth as swallowing this is inadvisable since you are pregnant. Guava leaves are known to work as well as cloves, however, depending on what kind of soil they were grown in, could have significant amounts of toxins in them. Normally, your body would be fit enough to handle the excessive amounts of toxins, but not when you are pregnant.

It is important that the expecting mother follows a strict nutritional plan as this will help keep the gums and teeth healthy throughout the course of the pregnancy. Some women will also experience swollen gums or even gingivitis as a direct result of the pregnancy. There is also a very real potential for the eruption of wisdom teeth which could also become impacted or decayed. Make sure that you brush your teeth just before you go to bed as this will help to control microbial levels in your mouth. You can also use baking soda to brush your teeth before you use toothpaste as this will help to combat any bacterial formation and thus reduce inflammation and pain.

answered by G M

Although there are various over the counter medications that are very effective in treating a tooth ache. I do not suggest that you try any of them as you are pregnant and it is unwise for you to have any medication that has not been specifically prescribed for you as it can lead to complications later. However, it is equally important that you get this problem seen to as soon as possible. A toothache cause by an infected gum is an especially serious problem for you. Periodontal bacterial byproducts from an infected tooth or gums can enter your bloodstream. This can have a negative impact on the health of your unborn baby. A periodontal disease will increase the risk of your baby being born underweight or prematurely.

You can chew on a couple of cloves and let the mashed cloves remain around the infected tooth. This will help to relieve the pain as well as fight off any infection. You can also soak a cotton ball and place it on the affected tooth. Clamp down firmly but gently to ensure that the cotton ball stays in place and that the oil spreads around the entire affected area. You can also rinse your mouth with a warm saline solution. Salt is a mild antiseptic and so doing this regularly will help to reduce the infection, the inflammation and the pain.

A toothache can also be caused by a cavity, an abscess or a severe tooth infection. Although you can use several home remedies to treat the affected tooth, make sure that you visit a dentist as soon as possible to ascertain the reason for your toothache. A toothache is only a symptom of a problem and not the actual problem itself, so treating a toothache will only give you temporary relief.

answered by G R


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