Dealing with Sensitive Teeth During Pregnancy

When people think about discomfort during pregnancy, they usually picture back pain, sore hips, and swollen feet. Another more surprising symptom you might experience is sensitive teeth. Rest assured that you’re not alone! Other women experience this odd symptom, too. Learn the reasons behind sensitive teeth during pregnancy and how to deal with it.

Pregnant woman in the office suffering from tooth pain

Sensitive Teeth During Pregnancy

What Causes Sensitive Teeth During Pregnancy?

The various changes your body undergoes while you’re pregnant can have a significant effect on your teeth and gums. Some of the most common causes of sensitive teeth during pregnancy include:

• Hormones: The American Pregnancy Association states that hormonal changes during pregnancy affect the way your body reacts to bacteria in your mouth. This can lead to a periodontal infection, which in turn may cause sensitive teeth.
• Increased blood flow: Your body goes into overdrive when it’s necessary to support a growing baby. This causes increased blood flow, which can make your teeth sensitive to hot, cold, spicy, and sweet foods. You may experience this type of tooth sensitivity even if you never had prior to getting pregnant.
• Gum disease: Women are more susceptible to gum disease during pregnancy. When this temporary condition occurs during the gestational period, it’s called “pregnancy gingivitis.” You may need more frequent teeth cleanings while you’re pregnant to help lessen symptoms of sensitive teeth and prevent permanent damage to your gums.
  
  
  
  How to Deal with Sensitive Teeth During Pregnancy
  Safe medicines you can take to combat tooth pain are limited while you’re pregnant. Fortunately, with a little extra care and attention, you can maintain healthy, less sensitive teeth during this nine-month period. Here’s how:
  
  
• Use a soft-bristled toothbrush: To prevent a painful experience while brushing your teeth, make sure you use a soft-bristled brush and a gentle touch. Be extra vigilant by brushing after every meal, not just in the morning and again at night.
• Change your toothpaste: If you experience sensitivity to hot and cold foods, try toothpaste designed to combat sensitive teeth. It takes a few days for the effect to kick in, but you will notice a big difference once it does.
• Floss daily: Traditional floss is useful for scraping tooth surfaces and removing food particles and plaque trapped between teeth. But when you have sensitive teeth, it may be better to use a water flosser. This removes even more particles and cleans deeper than regular floss while also stimulating your gums for a healthier mouth.
• Avoid foods that cause sensitivity: Make a note of anything that causes tooth pain, which may include hot coffee, cold ice cream, spicy salsa, or sweet candy. Avoid these “trigger foods” until after you have your baby. Also, drink plenty of
• water (at room temperature if necessary) to clear bacteria and food particles from your mouth after eating.