Urgent question about teeth (not the baby kind!)

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Here's a quick question, about my own teeth! I'm going to the dentist tomorrow, because my wisdom teeth on one side have been really painful for about 5 or 6 days, and I think my gum might be infected - my cheek seems to be swollen, and I've got a sore throat and gums. BUT...I've just found out I'm pregnant, so I'm really worried a)that any infection may have affected baby, and b)that any treatment (e.g. antibiotics, or anaesthesia while treatment is done) might affect baby. Does anyone know anything about this?

Have thought and thought about my answer to this but basically it is too hard a call without seeing your mouth, the tooth, and x-rays. The only helpful thing I can say is the crowns may well be nothing to do with the sensation in these teeth. Badly fitting crowns tend to have inflamed gums around them because plaque gets trapped in the tiny crevace between the crown and the tooth.. ( but inflammation of the gum does not necessarily mean the crowns are badly fitting)
Have you mentioned it to your dentist?
It may be that the best thing is to leave alone (assuming it is just a minor annoyance) unless it gets worse.

Sorry I could not be of more help.

Can't join in here, my waters have just broken and have to go in for a swab when DH gets home. Aren't I cool logging on. Actually, cr*** myself. fingers crossed for me. wrong thread totally but teeth are the next best thing to vaginal deliveries for me. ha.

waah, clucks, what's your news?

Best of luck Clucks and yep, you are cool logging on!

hey i had a tooth pulled a couple of weeks ago under sedation i didnt know i was pregnant at the time but will the drugs have hurt my baby???
im 2months an 1 week pregnant now

Rachael, don't worry, this has happened quite a few times at our surgery over the years. Although we would not knowingly sedate a pregnent woman there is no known risk.

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Robinw can you describe your symptoms and I will see if I can be of any help? In particular when did you first notice the pain? Is it constant or not and if not when does it come on and is it precipitated by anything?

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Where exactly do you feel the pain, and is it an upper or lower wisdom tooth which might need extracting?
Is the pain you get nowadays the same pain and in the same place as it always was 15 or more years ago?

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is the wisdom tooth peeking through / detectable by probe by dentist,or is it completely buried (only seen on x-ray)?

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Robinw, sorry for the delay in replying but ds seriously messed up the computer "surfing".

Obviously I can't diagnose without seeing your mouth but from what you have told me I have had the following scattered thoughts which may be of some help. I realise some of this may well be a repeat of what your dentists have told you.

Has the possibility of a problem with a tooth other than your wisdom tooth been ruled out? Is the tooth directly in front of your wisdom tooth heavily filled? Are all the teeth in that quadrant heavilly filled?

Be aware that the pain may have several causes! Tmj dysfunction, wisdom tooth pain,sinusitis, non vital pulp, cyst,periodontal problems....several other things....or a combination of any number.

Wisdom teeth don't really give problems if they are fully through. The teeth themselves are no different from any others. The only reason they get a bad reputation is becaue there is often not enough room for them so they get stuck halfway and may cause recurrent infections around the flap of gum which covers them ( pericoronitis). Wisdom teeth sometimes get blamed for stuff they shouldn't. ( particularly by older teenagers with mouths full of decay)

Assuming part of the problem is TMJ dysfunction, have you had any treatment for this ( been shown exercises or been given a splint to wear)and if so has it helped?

Bear in mind if you do have a TMJ problem, chewing gum is NOT a good idea as it is likely to make it worse.

Of all the possibly diagnoses the wisdom tooth one would be the most simple to exclude by a dentist examining your mouth.It is generally pretty obvious whether a wisdom tooth is a likely source of pain.

Finally, have you been seen by an oral surgeon? They are generally really on the ball with diagnosis.

Having said all that even the best dentist in the world might not be able to identify anything wrong. I hope that if this is the case the pain is not making your life miserable. Do you take painkillers for it and do they help?

Best of luck and if I can think of anything else I'll post later.

Can any of the other dental bods out there add to this?

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robinw my mumsnetting is a bit hit and miss at the moment and I have only just come across your last message in this thread. I do hope things are getting better for you re. your mouth problems, even if an accurate and helpful diagnosis( one which would recommend appropriate treatment) seems somewhat elusive!
Re the consultant; if you think there is a genuine cause for complaint the NHS is very big on complaints and there most certainly is a recognised chanel you could go through. I suspect a letter to the hospital would be a good place to start and doubtless other mumsnetters could tell you the job title of the person to whom you should address the letter.
Best of luck in seeing an end to the pain.