Can you use Bonjela during pregnancy? Will it be safe for the baby you are growing inside? What are some pregnancy-safe dental pain relief alternatives to Bonjela?  In this article, we have covered all your pregnancy dental pain relief queries. Scroll down to learn everything you need to know about pregnancy-safe dental pain relief!

Pregnancy is undoubtedly the most exciting phase of women’s life. However, during pregnancy, women are exposed to various new experiences, many of which are uncomfortable and even painful. While you might have heard about obvious pregnancy symptoms such as morning sickness, swollen ankles, constant aches, and inflammation, toothaches are not much talked about. During pregnancy, it is common for women to experience unbearable tooth pain due to massive hormonal shifts. 

Pregnant women often steer away from dental pain relief gels or tablets. They would happily bear the tooth pain since these gels or tablets are thought to be harmful to use while pregnant. Is it true, or is it just another pregnancy myth? Bonjela is a well-known medication for treating mouth ulcers, sore gums, and unbearable toothaches. However, it is highly debated on various pregnancy forums whether to use it or not, with no clear answers to it.  

What Causes Toothache During Pregnancy? 

Everyone has heard stories about awful morning sickness. However, has anyone heard stories about unbearable toothache during pregnancy? Pregnant women can often be caught off guard when it comes to tooth pain or sensitivity, as they have never heard about it. While they might not be much talked about pregnancy symptoms, dental issues during pregnancy are more common than some people realise. 

Now, you must be wondering what causes unbearable toothache during pregnancy. Well, you can thank massive hormonal shifts for this. In the same way, an increase in estrogen and progesterone is responsible for pregnancy symptoms like nausea and vomiting; these changes can also make pregnant women vulnerable to dental problems. 

Plaque Buildup 

During pregnancy, the body’s natural response to fight off plaque fluctuates significantly due to massive hormonal changes. Therefore, plaque will continue accumulating, resulting in bleeding gums, inflammation and tooth decay in the worst-case scenario. 

Gum Disease 

This buildup of plaque can also become the root cause of pregnancy gingivitis. It affects 75% of the pregnant women worldwide. Therefore, you are highly mistaken if you think you are alone in this. Pregnancy gingivitis can leave your gums sore, tender and vulnerable to more severe issues down the road. 

Morning Sickness 

During the initial months of pregnancy, morning sickness is often a common occurrence for most women. Frequent vomiting or stomach acid in your mouth can slowly damage tooth enamel, resulting in tooth sensitivity. Therefore, it is no surprise that pregnant women are recommended to brush their teeth after every round of vomiting. Sounds quite a hassle? However, it is the only way to protect your tooth enamel and prevent unbearable toothaches. 

Change of Appetite 

While discussing the causes of toothaches during pregnancy, how can cravings for unhealthy foods be missed? During pregnancy, a woman’s appetite is entirely changed, and it is customary to crave certain foods. However, the problem is that you will not crave healthy foods, but you will find yourself constantly reaching out for sugary and high-carbonated snacks to satisfy your pregnancy cravings. By consuming unhealthy foods, you might satisfy your cravings but will put yourself at high risk of developing tooth cavities, resulting in tooth decay. 

Natural Remedies for Dental Pain Relief During Pregnancy

Having a toothache during pregnancy can cause significant stress to women. During pregnancy, women are deeply concerned about what to use and avoid. Therefore, they will be unsure whether to pop in some painkillers while having an unbearable toothache. 

Are you wondering too? Any medicine you use during pregnancy should be consulted with your gynaecologist first, as it might contain harmful ingredients that can risk your pregnancy. The best approach is to see your dentist right away. However, while you wait for your appointment, here are some natural remedies for a toothache during pregnancy that can offer you short-term relief:  

Identify Food and Drink Sensitivities 

Tooth sensitivity varies from person to person. For some pregnant women, tooth sensitivity increases when they eat hot foods or drinks; others have sensitivity to cold drinks or foods. Therefore, if you want to reduce toothache during your pregnancy, you will have to identify food and drinks that trigger your tooth sensitivity. 

Saltwater Rinse 

One of the simplest and safest home remedies for treating toothache during pregnancy is to rinse your mouth with warm salty water. The saltwater rinse will help reduce inflammation and draw out any infection. However, make sure not to swallow any water. Otherwise, you might reduce toothache, but it will open a doorway for stomachache. 

Just add one tablespoon of salt to a cup of warm water. Swish the mixture around a few times before spitting it out. Repeat it until the cup gets empty. 

Garlic 

If the smell of garlic does not gross you out during pregnancy, it is the natural antibiotic that can help

 treat bacterial infections and reduce pain. Therefore, if you are experiencing unbearable toothache and do not want to take any chemically manufactured painkiller, you can chew a peeled clove of garlic from the affected side.

However, make sure to carry it around with some extra breath mints. Otherwise, you might find relief from a toothache, but bad breath can be quite tough on people around you. 

Peppermint Oil 

Another such natural remedy that can ease toothache during pregnancy is peppermint oil. While you might think peppermint oil only works as a natural ingredient to combat acne, it also makes an ideal home remedy for toothache relief. All you need to do is add two to three drops of peppermint oil to a cotton ball and gently apply it to the affected area. 

What is Bonjela and How Does it Work? 

If you frequently have recurring bouts of mouth ulcers, cold sores, or sore spots from braces, you might be familiar with Bonjela products. It is a brand that offers products formulated to treat and ease the pain of mouth ulcers. However, both Bonjela Adult and Cool Mint gel also help with dental problems. 

These gels contain two active ingredients, cetalkonium chloride and choline salicylate, to help relieve pain from mouth ulcers, cold sores, gingivitis, and other dental issues. Choline salicylate belongs to a group of medicine called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that helps in blocking the action of an enzyme called cyclo-oxygenase. This enzyme is further responsible for producing prostaglandins in response to injuries, infections and other conditions.  

Prostaglandins cause pain, swelling and inflammation. Therefore, once this gel is applied inside the mouth, choline salicylate will halt the production of prostaglandins in the mouth area, resulting in reduced pain, inflammation and swelling. Also, Celtalkkonium chloride is an antiseptic that plays a crucial role in killing various types of bacteria and fungi that could infect sore skin in the mouth. It will help prevent irritated areas from getting infected and accelerate healing. 

Bonjela gels are so effective that it comes as no surprise why they have become essential in every household. These gels are readily available and can be bought without requiring any prescription. 

Is Bonjela Safe to Use During Pregnancy? 

Many women wonder whether Bonjela gels are pregnancy safe or not. Are you wondering too? Well, Bonjela gels are not known to be harmful to pregnant women, but it is still best to avoid using them, especially in the last trimester. These gels contain salicylates that are known to increase the risk of bleeding. 

Also, while discussing the ingredients that can risk a women’s pregnancy, how can lidocaine in Bonjela gel not be mentioned? Bonjela gel uses Lidocaine, a local anaesthetic, to numb the affected area and relieve pain and discomfort. However, this numbing agent has the potential to cross the placenta and reach fetal circulation, which could further result in fetal harm. 

Moreover, it is important to note that the available evidence on using Bonjela during pregnancy is limited. No medical studies have been conducted to assess the side effects caused by Bonjela on pregnant women. Like other medications, Bonjela gels are also not specifically tested on pregnant women because conducting these kinds of trials on pregnant women is generally considered unethical and inhumane. 

Therefore, the best approach is to avoid the usage of Bonjela during pregnancy. However, if the discomfort caused by mouth ulcers or toothache is severe and affects your quality of life, you must consult your gynaecologist. They will be able to weigh better the risks and benefits of using Bonjela and advise on the best course of treatment. 

What are Other Painkillers to Take For Toothache During Pregnancy? 

When the toothache gets unbearable during pregnancy, it is common or women to want some relief. Here are a few medicines that you can take during pregnancy ONLY IF your doctor gives you thumbs-up: 

Acetaminophen 

If the toothache is severe, you can take acetaminophen to relieve the pain and discomfort. Acetaminophen is a common painkiller used by adults with a fever, headache, toothache, or muscle pain.  Generally, the medicine does not have any harmful ingredients that can risk your pregnancy, and most gynaecologists allow it. Still, it is better to get your doctor’s approval before using. 

Moreover, Acetaminophen should only be used in recommended doses for a short period. Taking more than the recommended dose might increase your baby’s chances of wheezing or having asthma.

NSAIDS

NSAIDS are generally safe medicines. However, the rules change when you are carrying a baby. Many NSAIDs (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are sold over the counter without requiring prescriptions. While some doctors allow pregnant women to take NSAIDS (ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin, or celecoxib), others strictly prohibit it.  

According to research reports, NSAIDS can cause various birth defects and increase the chances of miscarriages. Also, the consistent usage of NSAIDs can make it harder for you to go into labour or can reduce the level of amniotic fluid that keeps the baby protected in the womb. For all these reasons, the best approach is to use NSAIDs under your doctor’s supervision to ensure no such problems come up later in your pregnancy. 

How to Maintain Good Oral Health During Pregnancy? 

During pregnancy, women put deep thoughts into what to eat, what environment to breathe in and what routine to follow. However, the same women often fail to consider their oral health during pregnancy. They don’t realise that dentistry and pregnancy go hand in hand. If you fail to maintain good oral health during pregnancy, you are putting yourself and your unborn baby at tremendous risk. 

Here is what you can do to maintain good oral health during pregnancy:

Invest in a Good Electric Toothbrush 

The days when people used to clean their teeth with manual toothbrushes are long gone. In today’s modern world, manual toothbrushes have been replaced by electric ones for all good reasons. If you have not invested in any electric toothbrush yet, it is high time you should do it now as you need extensive tooth cleaning the most during pregnancy. 

Electric toothbrushes do a better job of cleaning your teeth than manual toothbrushes, which prevents cavities, gum diseases and plaque buildup. During pregnancy, teeth become more vulnerable to bacterial infections and gum diseases. Therefore, investing in an electric toothbrush is best to keep your oral hygiene top-notch. 

There are gazillions of electric toothbrushes available with advanced features and specifications. Now, you must be wondering which one to go for. We have a perfect recommendation for you that will not only meet your cleaning needs but will also fit your budget – Hum By Colgate Smart Rhythm Sonic Toothbrush.

Colgate Smart Rhythm Sonic Toothbrush is a battery-operated toothbrush that helps users keep their teeth nice and clean. While this toothbrush does not come with tons of features, it has what you need to protect your teeth from plaque buildup and cavities. It comes with an app that has a timer and strategies to help you brush better and longer. When your teeth and gums become more sensitive during pregnancy, this electric toothbrush will help you clean gently but properly. 

Also, since the electric toothbrush does not come loaded with many features or specifications, it is quite user-friendly and will not take you long to figure out how to use it. 

Purchase a Sensitivity Relief Toothpaste

Once you have got your electric toothbrush, the first thing you need is to find the right toothpaste that will meet your “new” needs. During pregnancy, you should use toothpaste that does not have a metallic or sharp taste that triggers your morning sickness. Also, as mentioned above, pregnancy comes with tooth sensitivity; you should consider a toothpaste that helps you tackle tooth sensitivity. 

Considering all these needs, we have the perfect toothpaste for you –  Natean Clean + Sensitivity Relief Toothpaste. This toothpaste is formulated without any active ingredients to protect you from tooth decay. Potassium nitrate and fluoride will help with teeth sensitivity and cavity prevention. It is a perfect toothpaste for pregnant women with safe ingredients but powerful performance.

Get a Water Flosser 

No matter how well you clean your teeth, you still need to floss during pregnancy to offer your teeth ultimate protection. Water flossers are better than traditional ones as they not only clean in between the teeth but also remove plaque from teeth without any bleeding. Are you looking for a high-quality water flosser that does not break your budget? Check out Burst Oral Care Water Flosser. 

This water flosser will change your flossing game completely. It will gently remove any food particles or plaque from your teeth without hurting your gums. Also, the best part about this water flosser is that it is cordless, making it travel-friendly. You can easily take this water flosser with you on your babymoon. Order it now to welcome your baby with a sparkling white smile.

Conclusion:

Pregnancy is exciting but the toughest phase of a woman’s life. While you will be happy to welcome your bundle of joy, pregnancy symptoms such as morning sickness, swollen ankles, headaches, or toothaches will significantly disrupt your quality of life. What makes it worse is that you cannot pop in some painkillers to give yourself some sort of relief. Toothaches are one of the common occurrences in pregnancy, with no instant pain relief solutions. The best approach is to book an appointment with your dentist. 

Besides visiting a dentist, you should also focus on maintaining good oral hygiene during pregnancy. By not taking care of your oral hygiene during pregnancy, you are giving an open invitation to many dental problems, such as cavities, plaque buildup and tooth decay. The bacteria in these cavities can also be transmitted to your bundle of joy if sharing food, utensils or just by giving a kiss. 

If you don’t want this to happen, you must follow a good oral health care routine. In this article, we have discussed everything you need to know about dental pain relief during pregnancy, along with some recommendations for maintaining good oral health. Do you have an opinion to share about our recommendations? Leave us a comment. Also, don’t forget to bookmark our page to come back later for more pregnancy and maternity guides.