What should I do if my wisdom tooth becomes inflamed, swollen, and extremely painful during early pregnancy?

In general, during early pregnancy, if inflammation of a wisdom tooth causes severe swelling and pain, symptoms can be relieved through methods such as rinsing with salt water, maintaining oral hygiene, applying local cold compresses, irrigating the blind pouch, and following a light diet. A detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Rinsing with Salt Water

Rinsing the mouth with warm salt water is a simple and effective method. Salt water has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that help remove food debris and bacteria from the mouth, thereby reducing inflammation. Dissolve 5–6 grams of table salt in 500 mL of warm boiled water, stir well, swish the solution in your mouth for 3–5 minutes, and repeat 3–5 times daily.

2. Maintaining Oral Hygiene

During wisdom tooth inflammation, brush your teeth thoroughly twice daily (morning and night). After brushing, use an antiseptic mouthwash to effectively suppress bacterial growth and plaque formation, which can also help reduce pain.

3. Local Cold Compress

Apply an ice pack or a cold towel to the outside of the cheek over the area of the affected wisdom tooth for 15–20 minutes at a time, 3–4 times per day. Cold compresses cause local blood vessels to constrict, helping to reduce swelling and pain and providing a certain analgesic effect.

4. Irrigating the Blind Pouch

If the pain and swelling are severe, it is recommended to visit a hospital where hydrogen peroxide or normal saline can be used to irrigate the blind pouch, flushing out food debris and pus to effectively relieve discomfort. After irrigation, apply iodine glycerin into the blind pouch; this releases iodide ions that help control inflammation.

5. Light Diet

Diet should primarily consist of mild, non-irritating foods. Increase intake of vitamin-rich foods and avoid spicy or irritating foods. Drinking plenty of water can also help alleviate swelling and pain.

Since the first trimester of pregnancy is a critical period for fetal organ development, systemic drug treatments should be avoided as much as possible to minimize potential adverse effects on the fetus and reduce the risk of congenital malformations.