Pregnant with tooth infection.... what to do?!


Question: I had a root canal a few months ago and now it is causing me pain. When I floss, it gets stuck underneath the tooth. If I eat anything with acid it stings very badly. I can also feel the gums swelling up around it. I do use a anticeptic mouthwash and it helps. THe thing is I am pregnant and I have heard some things about the bacteria hurting the baby. My dentist isnt open until Monday, should I wait or see someone else or call my OBGYN. I am in a lot of discomfort but not major pain. THANKS FOR ANY HELP!


Answers: I had a root canal a few months ago and now it is causing me pain. When I floss, it gets stuck underneath the tooth. If I eat anything with acid it stings very badly. I can also feel the gums swelling up around it. I do use a anticeptic mouthwash and it helps. THe thing is I am pregnant and I have heard some things about the bacteria hurting the baby. My dentist isnt open until Monday, should I wait or see someone else or call my OBGYN. I am in a lot of discomfort but not major pain. THANKS FOR ANY HELP!

Call your dentist first... someone has got to be on call even though they aren't open until Monday. If you don't get anywhere with them, call your OB/GYN...

Your tooth shouldn't hurt since you've had root canal treatment, so it may be gum-related, which happens to pregnant women... you may need the tooth reconstructed since you said you get floss stuck, but that can wait until after the baby arrives. A simple periodontal rinse may be all that you need, but you won't know until someone is able to examine you......

Good luck, and congrats!

:)

Being pregnant cause your body to have an exagerrated effect against plaque due to your high hormone levels, this is called pregnancy gingivitis. There are two ways in which this can effect your pregnancy:

1. When your body fights bacteria (plaque) it sends immune cells to kill the bacteria, in doing so these immune cells release what is called prostaglandins...it is thought that these prostaglandins, if high in numbers, travel through your blood stream throughout your whole body and can stimulate uterine contractions, resulting in preterm labor and low-birth weight baby. This is most common in women who have periodontitis...you would probably know if you have perio...there is bone loss involved

2. The other theory is still in "review", but they think that the bacteria in your mouth travels in your bloodstream throughout your whole body and through the placenta. The baby/your body sees these bacteria as a stressor and then you go into preterm labor.

I honestly wouldn't worry about preterm labor over the weekend. I would just call the doctors/dentist office Monday morning and see if they can get you in. Just take nonaspirin for the pain, but if you do develope a fever then your should probably go to the E.R.

Also, I don't know if you have your teeth cleaned regularly, but you should, especially while your pregnant to keep the bacteria numbers to a low.





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