Is It Safe to Have Dental Treatment While Pregnant?

It is absolutely safe for pregnant women to undergo common dental treatments. Women who are expecting can visit dental specialists for routine examinations or professional tooth cleaning. They can also get root canals, tooth extractions, fillings, and other necessary procedures while pregnant without any worry.  

According to specialist dental services in London proper dental care becomes more important when you are pregnant. This not only prevents infections of teeth or gums but also ensures timely treatments that result in fewer complications.

Pregnant women often hesitate when getting dental treatments as they believe it can harm the baby or cause complications. However there is no medical basis for this claim. In fact many medical specialists recommend necessary dental treatments to expecting mothers so that they can enjoy better oral health at this exciting time.

• How Does Pregnancy Affect Your Dental Health?
• Can Pregnancy Make Dental Problems Worse?
• Visiting Your Dentist During Each Trimester
• Common Dental Treatments You Can Get While Pregnant

How Does Pregnancy Affect Your Dental Health?

Pregnancy comes with several hormonal changes in females that result in more sensitive teeth or gums.

Research shows that gingivitis (swelling or irritation of gums) is probably the most common pregnancy-related periodontal problem. Reports reveal about 60–75% prevalence of this condition in pregnant women. In this condition your gums become red or swollen. Your gums also bleed when you brush or floss.

The risk of dental carries are also higher in pregnancy. Dental carries or tooth cavities result from vomiting or morning sickness along with poor oral hygiene routines in pregnant women. 

Another common issue that pregnant women face is periodontitis. Another study shows about 40% prevalence of periodontitis (a gum infection that destroys soft tissues or bones that support your teeth) in pregnant women.

The prevalence of these diseases is what makes dental care extra important when you are pregnant.

There are some special cases where pregnant women need immediate dental care. This section lists them in detail.

• There is persistent pain in your teeth.
• Your face or gums are swollen.
• You have a broken or damaged tooth.
• You feel pain when you bite.
• You are extremely sensitive to hot or cold foods.
• You find it difficult to open your mouth or to swallow.
• Your gums bleed when you brush.

Can Pregnancy Make Dental Problems Worse?

It is not fair to say that pregnancy directly worsens your dental health. However most women experience poor oral health mainly due to lifestyle changes or poor oral hygiene at this time.

Hormonal changes during pregnancy make your gums sensitive. Vomiting or morning sickness exposes your teeth to stomach acids. Frequent snacking or nausea further results in poor dental hygiene. All of these factors make it hard for you to maintain a normal daily dental care routine.

This is where a consultation with a dental hygienist can help you make lifestyle adjustments that result in better dental health.

Visiting Your Dentist During Each Trimester

This section takes a closer look into can women get dental treatment while pregnant in terms of different stages of pregnancy. 

• The First Trimester

The first trimester or the first 12 weeks of pregnancy is an important period for the baby’s development. This is when most women feel extra sensitive when they think of getting dental treatment. Experts in dental treatment in London suggest that women can get all necessary dental procedures in the first trimester without any worry.

Women can visit their dentist for the treatment of tooth infections or decay. They can also get care for a painful tooth or common gum issues at this time. For treatments that are non-urgent dentists usually consider your comfort or factors like morning sickness or other pregnancy risk factors to make a better choice.

• The Second Trimester

The second trimester or the weeks 13 to 27 of pregnancy, is less uncomfortable for most women as by this time symptoms like fatigue or nausea improve to some extent. This is the time when you can get non-urgent or extensive dental treatments. Women can undergo procedures like tooth removal, root canal, dental crowns, etc., at this time without fearing safety risks.

• The Third Trimester

The third trimester starts from the 28th week and continues till the date of delivery. During this period women can get every necessary dental treatment. Many women ignore dental health at this crucial time mainly to avoid extra pain. 

At this time your growing abdomen can make it a bit uncomfortable for you to lie on the dental chair for long periods. However experts in dental treatment for pregnant women can make necessary adjustments in terms of positioning or breaks while you go through long treatments.

Common Dental Treatments You Can Get While Pregnant

But what exactly are some specialist dental treatments that pregnant women can get in their condition? This is what this section is all about.

• Dental X-Rays

Dental X-rays use small amounts of radiation to obtain diagnostic images of your teeth or jawbone. Since the radiation dosage for X-rays is very low it makes this diagnostic procedure safe for pregnant women.

• Local Anesthesia

This type of sedation or anesthesia makes you numb to pain in a specific part of your mouth. Dentists mostly use it for procedures like fillings, extractions, or root canals. A common misconception is that local anesthesia can reach the baby or affect pregnancy. This is not the case. According to ACOG local anesthetics like lidocaine are safe for dental procedures for pregnant women.

• General Anesthesia

General anesthesia puts you in a state of unconsciousness when you undergo surgical procedures. Experts in general or cosmetic dentistry look at possible risks and benefits of this anesthesia for your specific case before they administer it. Specialists use individualized planning to choose the safest way to put you under general anesthesia to make sure both you and the baby stay safe while you get the treatment.

• Dental Filling

Dental fillings are a very safe procedure that you can get while pregnant. This treatment repairs decayed teeth to prevent cavities or infections. Professional dentists address every concern of their pregnant clients when they suggest or perform this procedure. This results in more peace of mind.

• Root Canal While Pregnant

Pregnant women can also get a root canal. This necessary treatment aims to protect a badly decayed or damaged tooth.

This treatment aims to remove infected pulp or tissues inside your tooth that contain nerves or blood vessels. Dentists numb the tooth and drill your tooth to access the pulp. Then they remove the pulp and fill the empty space with a rubber-like material called gutta-percha. Finally they seal the gap and place a crown on top.

• Tooth Removal

Pregnant women can also undergo tooth extraction if it is no longer possible to save the damaged tooth. In this procedure dentists remove an infected or problematic tooth from its socket. It is possible to get this treatment at any time in the course of your pregnancy.

• Antibiotics for Dental Infections

Antibiotics are medicines that treat bacterial infections in your mouth. The choice of antibacterial medications depends on the severity of the infection. Dentists usually recommend pregnancy-safe medications such as cephalosporins, clindamycin, or metronidazole to treat dental infections. Dentists choose a suitable medication after looking at your current medication or supplement dosage during pregnancy.

• Other Dental Treatments

Apart from these common procedures, pregnant women can also undergo procedures like teeth whitening, wisdom teeth removal, and general restorative treatments.

However for elective, cosmetic, or non-urgent treatments like sinus lifts and dental implants most experts suggest you should wait until after the delivery.

Conclusion

Pregnancy is never the reason to sideline your dental health. Most necessary or restorative dental treatments are very safe during pregnancy. Women who suffer from tooth decay, gum infections, or poor oral health can consult with expert dentists in every trimester of their pregnancy.

These experts can prevent dental health complications which allows you to feel healthier and more comfortable while you go through this exciting phase of your life.

Just make sure to communicate openly with your dentist about your pregnancy or overall treatment concerns to get timely assistance for your necessary dental health.

Book a consultation with our expert dentists at Specialist Dental Services today to get a thorough dental checkup during pregnancy. Our experts can help you deal with common dental or oral hygiene issues to keep both you and the baby healthier and happier during this exciting period.