Pregnant women experience many discomfort symptoms during pregnancy, such as early morning sickness, lower back pain, and toothache. While normal individuals would simply go to a pharmacy to buy medicine for toothache relief, pregnant women cannot take medication as it may be harmful to the fetus. So, what can pregnant women do for toothache relief?
What to do for toothache relief during pregnancy:
1. Crush garlic and apply it warm to the affected area to treat symptoms such as pulpitis, periodontitis, and toothache.
2. Dissolve monosodium glutamate in warm water at a ratio of 1:50, hold the solution in your mouth for a while, and then spit it out. Repeat this several times, and after two days, the toothache will improve.
3. Cut a small piece of fresh ginger and bite down on the painful area. If the pain persists, repeat the process. You can also hold it in your mouth while sleeping. This is a safe and reliable remedy for pregnant women.
4. Take 100 grams of regular white wine, add 10 grams of salt in a teapot, stir, and then heat it on the stove until the salt dissolves. After it cools slightly, take a sip and hold it in the area of the toothache. Be careful not to swallow it. This will help alleviate toothache.
5. Rinse your mouth vigorously with warm water (close to body temperature).
6. Massage your hand: This method can relieve 50% of the pain. Take an ice cube and rub it gently on the "V" zone where the thumb and index finger bones connect for 5-7 minutes. A Canadian researcher found that 60-90% of people who use this method experience relief from toothache. His research shows that this friction method can interfere with the transmission of toothache nerve impulses.
7. Massage the Hegu acupoint with an ice cube for 5 minutes.
Causes of toothache during pregnancy:
During pregnancy, due to changes in estrogen levels, conditions such as periodontitis that were already present may worsen and become acute. Therefore, many pregnant women experience toothache during pregnancy. So, what causes toothache during pregnancy?
1. Inflammation of wisdom teeth: Hormonal changes during pregnancy can aggravate existing gum inflammation and cause acute symptoms. In this case, local treatment in a dental clinic is necessary, along with the use of mouthwash (with herbal ingredients).
2. Pulpitis or periapical inflammation: Generally caused by dental caries. In this case, dental treatment is required for emergency relief and immediate pain relief. Physical treatment and local application of medication do not affect the fetus.
3. Hormonal influence: During pregnancy, the increase in estrogen and progesterone in the body causes significant changes in the endocrine system, leading to dilation, bending, and decreased elasticity of the capillaries in the gums. This results in blood stasis, increased permeability of blood vessel walls, and increased susceptibility to gingival bleeding, swelling, and bad breath, leading to gingivitis in pregnant women.
4. Gingival pregnancy tumor: After 3-4 months of pregnancy, pregnancy tumors are more likely to occur on the gum papilla, appearing as tumor-like growths that easily bleed upon touch. These are called gingival pregnancy tumors and do not harm the body. They usually do not cause pain. Pregnancy gingivitis often resolves after childbirth, and pregnancy tumors may shrink or stop growing after pregnancy, and can be surgically removed after delivery.
5. Dietary habits: Pregnant women have a significant increase in food intake and frequency, and they may have a preference for acidic or sweet foods, which can harm the teeth. Additionally, some pregnant women often feel tired and have limited mobility, leading to neglect of oral hygiene and an increase in tooth decay. These are specific changes during pregnancy, so it is called pregnancy gingivitis.
What to eat for toothache relief during pregnancy:
Pregnant women with toothache should consume a light diet and eat foods that are rich in vitamins and protein, such as milk, eggs, and lean meat. It is especially important to consume fresh vegetables and fruits that are rich in vitamin C. For those with oral inflammation or angular cheilitis, an adequate intake of vitamin B2 is necessary.
(1) Fresh ginger and luffa soup: This recipe is used to treat swollen and painful gums, dry mouth, and nosebleeds. It has the effects of clearing heat, detoxification, reducing swelling, and relieving pain.
Recipe: 100 grams of fresh ginger, 500 grams of luffa. Wash the luffa and cut it into sections. Wash the fresh ginger and slice it. Boil the two ingredients together for 3 hours. Drink the soup twice daily.
(2) Green bean and egg sugar water: This recipe is suitable for those with toothache caused by wind-heat and redness and swelling in the oral cavity.
Recipe: 100 grams of green beans, 1 egg, and an appropriate amount of rock sugar. Crush the green beans and wash them. Put the green beans in a pot with an appropriate amount of water and cook until the green beans are soft. Crack the egg into the green bean soup, stir well, and drink it when slightly cooled. Drink it all at once and repeat for 2-3 days.
Friendly reminder: Pregnant women with toothache should not take medication without consulting a healthcare professional. Instead, they can try these physical or dietary methods mentioned in this article for toothache relief, as they are safe and effective.
