Toothache (cont.)
Medical Author:
Donna Bautista, DDS
Medical Editor:
William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACRDr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology. In this Article
 How is toothache during pregnancy managed?For pregnant patients, toothaches can be a nuisance and cause discomfort. While the pregnancy can cause some additional complications, dental procedures can be performed effectively and safely with the proper precautions. Initially, a thorough exam is performed around the face and in the mouth to determine the source of the pain. Should an X-ray be necessary, lead shields are used to cover the abdomen and thyroid to prevent radiation exposure to the mother and unborn child. An X-ray is important in assessing the extent of damage that might be present in the mouth and help determine the treatment. Dental treatment for a severe toothache or large cavities should be performed to reduce the risk of infection and eliminate the source of the pain. The ideal time for treatment is during the second trimester of pregnancy. However, in some instances, emergency dental treatment such as a root canal or a tooth extraction may be necessary and would need to be performed immediately despite the stage of the pregnancy. The pregnant patient's obstetrician may need to be consulted as well to determine what is best for the patient and baby in emergency situations. Medications used during dental work include anesthetics and antibiotics. Anesthetic is necessary to make the procedure comfortable and stress-free and antibiotics may be necessary to treat an infection. Certain anesthetics (such as lidocaine) and antibiotics (such as penicillin and clindamycin) fall under the FDA's Category B medications and thus, are classified as safe during pregnancy. To manage dental pain, acetaminophen (Tylenol) is recommended for pain relief. Avoid medications such as ibuprofen or aspirin as these are generally not considered safe during pregnancy. Reviewed by William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR on 1/11/2013 Patient CommentsViewers share their comments
Toothache - Temporalmandibular Joint (TMJ) Symptoms
Question: What symptoms did you experience with temporalmandibular joint (TMJ) disorder?
Toothache - Home Remedies
Question: What home remedies have you found effective in managing the symptoms of your toothache?
Toothache - Treatments
Question: What treatment did you receive for your toothache?
Toothache - Describe Your Experience
Question: How did you cope with your toothache?
|
Suggested Reading on Toothache by Our Doctors
-
Related Diseases & Conditions
26 articles-
Muscle Spasms
- Muscle spasms are involuntary muscle contractions that come on suddenly and are usually quite painful. Dehydration, doing strenuous exercise in a hot environment,
-
Sinus Infection
- Sinus infection (sinusitis) signs and symptoms include headache, fever, and facial tenderness, pressure, or pain. Treatments of sinus infections are generally
-
Pregnancy (Week By Week, Trimesters)
- There are many symptoms involved in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy. The first early pregnancy symptom is typically a missed period, but others
-
Headache
- Headaches can be divided into two categories: primary headaches and secondary headaches. Migraine headaches, tension headaches, and cluster headaches are
-
Diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2)
- Diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition characterized by high levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood. The two types of diabetes are referred to as type
-
Abscessed Tooth
- Absecessed tooth is a painful infection at the root of a tooth or between the gum and a tooth, most commonly caused by severe tooth decay. Symptoms of
-
Angina
- Angina is chest pain that is due to an inadequate supply of oxygen to the heart muscle. Angina can be caused by coronary artery disease or spasm of the
-
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ)
- Temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMJ, is a disorder of the temporomandibular joint(s) that causes signs and symptoms including ear pain, bite problems,
-
Stress
- Stress occurs when forces from the outside world impinge on the individual. Stress is a normal part of life. However, over-stress, can be harmful. There
-
Oral Cancer
- The term oral cancer includes cancer of the mouth (oral cavity) and the back of the mouth (oropharynx). Red and white patches inside the mouth, bleeding,
-
Heart Attack
- Heart attack happens when a blood clot completely obstructs a coronary artery supplying blood to the heart muscle. A heart attack can cause chest pain,
-
Mercury Poisoning
- Mercury is a naturally occurring element found in water, soil, and the air. Mercury is also contained in some fish, some of the products we use in the
-
Wisdom Teeth
- Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars that people get in their late teens or early twenties. Impacted wisdom teeth that only partially erupt allows
-
Ear Infection (Otitis Media)
- Middle ear infection or inflammation (otitis media) is inflammation fo the middle ear. There are two types of otitis media, acute and chronic. Acute otitis
-
Gum Disease
- Gum disease is caused by plaque and may result in tooth loss without proper treatment. Symptoms and signs of gum disease (gingivitis or periodontal disease)
-
Stress Management Techniques
- Stress may be considered as any physical, chemical, or emotional factor that causes bodily or mental unrest and that may be a factor in disease causation.
-
Cavities
- Learn more about cavities including symptoms, treatment, and prevention. See how tooth decay, plaque, and bacteria contribute to the creation of cavities
-
Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)
- Bruxism is the medical term for teeth grinding. Bruxism may be caused by stress or anxiety and often happens during sleep. Symptoms and signs include jaw
-
Smoking (How to Quit Smoking)
- Smoking is an addiction. More than 430,000 deaths occur each year in the U.S. from smoking related illnesses. Secondhand smoke or "passive smoke" also
-
Dental Injuries
- Dental injuries range from a chipped or fractured tooth to a knocked out tooth. Treatment depends upon the severity of the dental injury. Dental injuries
-
Gum Problems
- Gum problems may be caused by improper brushing and flossing, gum disease, canker sores, treatments and hormonal changes. Symptoms of gum problems include
-
Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome (CVS)
- Cyclic vomiting syndrome is a condition in which affected individuals have severe nausea and vomiting that come in cycles. Researchers believe that cyclic
-
Braces and Retainers
- Find out more about how orthodontic braces and retainers can provide proper alignment to crooked teeth. Get answers to all your braces questions about
-
Pericoronitis
- Pericoronitis is inflammation of the gum tissue around the molars. Pericoronitis commonly occurs in teens or young people when the wisdom teeth erupt.
-
Oral Health Problems in Children
- Oral health problems in children include thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, lip sucking, tooth decay, and early tooth loss. Get tips on how to prevent these
-
Oral Health and Bone Disease
- Osteoporosis may be linked to bone loss in the jaw, which in turn, leads to tooth loss. Low bone density may result in ill-fitting dentures, tooth loss,
-
Muscle Spasms
-
Medications
10 articles -
Procedures & Tests
14 articles -
Pictures, Images & Quizzes
3 articles -
Doctor's & Expert's Views
1 articles -
Health News
4 articles -
Health Features
11 articles
