How to manage toothache pain in pregnancy?

[katiegd]

Hi all, hoping for some advice. Am 15 weeks pregnant and have been struck down with toothache that's just got worse over the weekend and is now really constant and painful. I think it's wisdom tooth-related but my gums along the whole of that side are also really sore and inflamed. I have an emergency dentist appointment tomorrow so am just trying to manage the pain til then.

I've been taking paracetamol, which helps, but there is obviously a maximum daily dose for that and I'm approaching it. I've read that bonjela isn't recommended in pregnancy. Any other suggestions of ways to manage the pain until tomorrow (and possibly beyond as I assume the dentist won't be able to just sort it all out on the spot)?

TIA

[midnightflowers]

Get some clove oil from the chemist. Any chance of being able to move your appointment to today? When I was in a similar position I mentioned I was pregnant and the dentist saw me straight away. (Although I had a small wait)
Toothaches the worst.

[HopeAndJoy16]

It's also safe to take cocodamol in pregnancy, I think you can buy it over the counter? When I had awful headaches a Dr at the mat. assessment unit prescribed it for me so it may be a GP/the dentist also has to prescribe it for you though x

[cherryontopp]

I second clove oil. I had tooth ache as a child and it was the only thing that would work

[Mortigua]

When I had this the Dr prescribed me Co codamol in the end. Or the midwife told me to take it , I forget which. It was towards the end of my pregnancy though and of course Co codamol has paracetamol in so you'd need to make sure you didn't take it on top of that.
Poor you- toothache is so horrible.

[mindutopia]

If it's truly bad, I would look into co-codamol. I don't know about safety, but others seem to suggest it's safe, and if your midwife agrees, then I would take it. I had a horrible tooth ache that developed from an infected tooth last year and it was horrendous. Taking co-codamol plus ibuprofen was the only thing that helped. The dentist should be able to sort it for you, depending on what it is. I know in my case, they went right in and cleaned out the infection and patched it up at the emergency appt and booked me in to come back to have it properly looked at in a couple weeks time, but that was enough to get rid of the pain and I was fine until my next appt.

[Wafflingg]

Clove oil shouldn’t be used in pregnancy. It’s clearly written on the instructions. Not sure why people are advising you to take it.

[BabyOrSanta]

I was told by the pharmacist, GP and OOH GP not to take co-codamol and the only thing I could take was paracetamol.
I was told they would question my ability to put the baby first if I took anything but paracetamol. Midwife said that our local GPs were taking safeguarding too seriously... my advice is to ask your midwife what you can take as usually they are more sympathetic!

[katiegd]

Thanks all - sounds like there's conflicting advice about clove oil and cocodamol! I guess it's just a case of consulting a professional so maybe I should just wait to see dentist tomorrow or might call midwife if it gets really bad. Pain seems to be weirdly coming and going whatever I do.

Has anyone tried and had success with rinsing mouth with hot salty water? Not strictly for pain relief but I think it's supposed to help with infection?

[gamerchick]

Co co codamol is safe to take in pregnancy. It’s the third trimester or close to delivery you should not take it but I was prescribed all the way through and given codiene in Labour so.... something about babies breathing on delivery. Not something you have to worry about.

Oragel is better to numb your gob up but I don’t know if it’s ok in pregnancy.

[Shehz21]

Cocodamol is safe in pregnancy. Got it prescribed by my OB at 20 weeks for severe back pain.

[katiegd]

Thanks all. It seems much better today and I've been to the dentist who says it's a gum infection. Apparently salt water mouth rinse after every meal is the thing to do! And keep taking paracetamol as needed.

[Hairgician]

I had gum infection few weeks ago..went to dentist. Given good deep clean and scaling. Couldn't have antib as the only thing they can prescribe in pregnancy am allergic to. The clean and scaling sorted it out though, then advised to do hot water and salt rince for couple weeks.