An abscess tooth refers to pus accumulation in a tooth due to bacterial infection. This condition requires medical attention to prevent the spread of infection. If you have an abscess tooth while pregnant, this post could help you. There are different causes of abscess teeth. However, it is possible to prevent them by taking precautionary measures. Read on to know more about this dental condition, its treatment plan, and tips to prevent it.
About Tooth Abscess
An abscessed tooth or tooth abscess is the formation and collection of pus in different parts of a tooth due to bacterial infection. It can result in swollen gums, toothache or both (1).
Causes Of Tooth Abscess When Pregnant
An abscess tooth can occur due to many reasons (2):
Tooth decay
Mild to extensive tooth decay can lead to severe infection in the oral cavity. The infection may result in abscess formation in the damaged tooth.
Periodontal disease
Severe trauma to the gums and food accumulation can lead to bacterial growth and cause inflammation and infections of the gums and the tissues supporting the teeth. This leads to pus in the surrounding tissues and results in an abscessed tooth.
Chipped or broken tooth
Cracks in the tooth enamel allow bacteria to infect the pulp. The infection in the pulpal tissue eventually leads to complete damage of the pulp and then to an abscessed tooth.
Symptoms Of Tooth Abscess During Pregnancy
There are many symptoms of tooth abscess during pregnancy. Some common symptoms that you may experience include (1) (2).
Toothache
Headache, ear ache, jaw pain due to pain radiating from the infected tooth
Teeth sensitivity
Swollen gums, neck glands, and jaws
Foul odor or/and bitter taste in the mouth
Fever
Dental Health And Pregnancy
During pregnancy, your body undergoes many hormonal changes. These changes can increase the risk of dental problems such as tooth decay and gum diseases. Therefore, maintaining dental health during pregnancy is important (3). Some pregnancy complications that occur due to dental problems include:
High risk of preterm births.
Low birth weight in preterm babies.
High risk of health problems in preterm babies.
The spread of abscess to other parts of the body, which could cause severe health complications such as Ludwig’s angina.
High risk of early childhood tooth decay problems.
Tooth Abscess During Pregnancy
If you are pregnant and experience pain or discomfort in your teeth, consult your obstetrician/gynecologist and your dentist. It is also important to tell your dentist about your pregnancy so that they won’t resort to X-rays during your pregnancy as radiation can harm the fetus. Your pregnancy will also determine if you are an ideal candidate for a procedure that requires anesthesia and the type of medicines you can take for your treatment.
Preventing Tooth Abscess When Pregnant
By now, you know why it is important for women to prevent abscess tooth or dental problems during pregnancy. Here are some simple preventive measures to follow (4):
Brush and floss twice daily. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and consult your dentist to use the right toothpaste during your pregnancy.
If you are trying to get pregnant, go for periodical dental check-ups to ensure no or minimal problems during your term.
Vomiting during pregnancy can cause tooth decay due to the acidic nature of the vomit content. To avoid any dental problem due to vomiting during pregnancy, rinse your mouth after a vomiting or retching episode.
Avoid eating sugar-rich foods and rinse your mouth after you eat anything.
Increase the amount of calcium in your diet.
Avoid over-the-counter pain relievers and narcotics.
In case you experience mild tooth pain, do not neglect it and consult your primary doctor and your dentist immediately [3]
