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Postnatal health

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Teeth problems. Any dentist/ Dental nurse please help

5 replies

Mumtobe202310 · 19/10/2023 22:09

Hello,

I hope you all are doing well.

I have recently given birth to my first child on 28th September Alhamdulillah (thank God).

The whole pregnancy was very good, apart from my mental health. It was horrible. At one point I had OCD thinking if hot pan or hot water touched my bump that my baby felt pain so I would run a shower over my bump.

I was extremely diligent on brushing and flossing my teeth as I suffered a lot with tooth problems during early 20s due to depression and was scared of pain coming or any Dental problems while pregnant.

However, after I gave birth at 01.43am, I didn't brush my teeth until 7pm on that day. That's like 32 hours since the morning before I went in labour till evening of the day I delivered. And within that period I had 5 toasted bread, each with the little jam things hospital gives you. So basically I had 5 of those little jam thingies on my bread as I wanted a sugar rush after feeling so lightheaded after birth and craved something sweet. I also had 2 cartons of apple juice during the day too.

I usually would never allow this much time before brushing my teeth but I struggled mentally after birth. My water broke first and then contractions very fast ones followed, by the time I was on hospital I was 6cm and baby's head was visible, followed by gas and air and me pushing and begging for epidural but it was too late to having pushed my baby out. It was fast. It was a blur. I think in total my labour was 3 hours 5 mins which I think is precipitous labour and I'm a bit upset over it thinking I didn't have time to process anything.

Anyway, I'm extremely thankful though that I now have my son and tell myself that whether fast or slow doesn't matter as I've got my child safe in my arms.

However, few days later I developed pain in upper teeth on left side and also bottom teeth, I only eat with my left side and right side I have a gap where a tooth been taken out.

The top teeth feel very sensitive as well as now the bottom part of my teeth. It's like as if it's worn out or the feeling that I've kept clenching it if I am making sense.

I went dentist few days ago on my own with my baby being with his dad at home and I cried in the taxi as I did not want to have to do this with a newborn leaving him at home.

The dentist put fluoride on my teeth and it's seemed to help my teeth feel better than God.

However, what is causing me immense mental sadness is me thinking that it's my fault for this tooth pain because I went that long without brushing and flossing my teeth and also had 5 of those jam thingies with my toast. I keep thinking this is what has caused my teeth pains and sensitivity etc. I'm asking because during pregnancy I didn't have it at all so surely it must be because of the reason I've stated that it's happening?

Please be honest with me, is it because of this that my teeth are doing this? I have been blaming myself especially since at night it's so hard trying to look after my newborn I feel so sad that I cry sometimes while I'm looking after him cos I'm in pain. Bless my husband, he has helped so much allowing me to sleep while taking over night feeds with bottle etc. But still I wish to be able to do more for my son especially since I had him after a miscarriage. Also, will my teeth pain and sensitivity go away? My dentist has told me to do 2 sessions of deep clean with a hygienist, should I go for it?

I am so sorry for the length of this post. Thank you so much I'm advance x

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 19/10/2023 22:12

It will be nothing to do with that one period where you didn't brush your teeth. Pregnancy can affect your teeth which is why dental treatment is free at this time.

CarPour · 19/10/2023 22:22

32 hrs not brushing your teeth as a one off will do absolutely no harm. Sometimes as a dentist I would recommend this e.g if someone has dental trauma or surgery

It is quite normal to not brush your teeth for this time on the odd ocassion.

Do you think you have been clenching your teeth? Perhaps due to the stress of birth of lack or sleep? It sounds like this has been a very difficult time for you, and you are focusing this on your teeth, but you havent caused yourself any harm

Mumtobe202310 · 24/10/2023 21:32

CarPour · 19/10/2023 22:22

32 hrs not brushing your teeth as a one off will do absolutely no harm. Sometimes as a dentist I would recommend this e.g if someone has dental trauma or surgery

It is quite normal to not brush your teeth for this time on the odd ocassion.

Do you think you have been clenching your teeth? Perhaps due to the stress of birth of lack or sleep? It sounds like this has been a very difficult time for you, and you are focusing this on your teeth, but you havent caused yourself any harm

Thank you so much for replying. You know what's worrying me, is the thought that I had 5 of those little jams that hospital give with toasts. And plus had apple juice 3 times during the day. Plus I was in and out of sleep the day so I'm thinking those must have really attacked my teeth especially upper one as it has a horrible decay in it already which never hurt during my whole pregnancy thank God. So for the last few weeks, whenever I awake I can feel uncomfortable in that upper tooth and the 2 surrounding ones and also the bottom teeth Im not sure if I am clenching anymore but my husband did say during pregnancy I did used to grind my teeth at night. Do you think the reasons I mentioned have led to all this tooth pain?? And what can I do about it please?? I'm so upset especially since I'm trying my best to look after my newborn as best I can especially as a first time mum. Many thanks in advance

OP posts:
Mumtobe202310 · 24/10/2023 21:33

Thank you so much for replying. I'm just upset and blaming myself since the whole of pregnancy I never had tooth problems so I'm thinking what is going on now after birth.

OP posts:
Mumtobe202310 · 24/10/2023 21:35

dementedpixie · 19/10/2023 22:12

It will be nothing to do with that one period where you didn't brush your teeth. Pregnancy can affect your teeth which is why dental treatment is free at this time.

Thank you so much for replying. I'm just upset and blaming myself since the whole of pregnancy I never had tooth problems so I'm thinking what is going on now after birth.

OP posts:
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