Painkillers for toothache while pregnant
During pregnancy, pain relief depends on your health, pregnancy stage and medicine; dental treatment can address the cause of toothache.
The short answer
During pregnancy, acetaminophen is commonly considered for toothache only after checking the dose and your personal medical history with a clinician, while dental care treats the cause.
What is the direct answer?
What does this question mean?
Toothache usually comes from inflamed pulp inside a tooth, exposed dentine, a cracked tooth, gum inflammation or an infection around the root. Pregnancy changes which medicines and dental procedures need individual review, but it does not remove the need to diagnose the tooth.
What can you do next?
Ask your obstetric clinician or pharmacist about an appropriate acetaminophen product and dose, and do not combine products that contain it. Arrange a dental examination; the dentist may use an examination, dental radiograph with shielding when indicated, cleaning, a filling, drainage or root canal treatment to remove the source of pain.
When should you seek dental care?
Seek prompt dental care for pain that persists, swelling, a bad taste, fever or pain when biting. Facial swelling, difficulty swallowing or breathing, or swelling spreading toward the eye requires urgent medical attention.
What should you ask the dentist?
Ask which tooth is causing the pain, whether an infection or pulp inflammation is present, and which treatment can preserve the tooth. Tell the dentist how far along the pregnancy is, your medicines, allergies and any liver or kidney condition.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use ibuprofen for toothache during pregnancy?
Do not choose an anti-inflammatory medicine without advice from your obstetric clinician or pharmacist, because the relevant risks depend on pregnancy stage and medical history.
Can a pregnant person have a root canal?
A dentist can assess whether root canal treatment is needed and coordinate timing and medicines with the pregnancy care team.