Is Having Dental Work Throughout Pregnancy Safe?
Pregnancy and dental work concerns prevail for anticipating mamas. Preventive dental cleanings and yearly exams throughout pregnancy are not just safe, however are recommended. The rise in hormone levels throughout pregnancy causes the gums to swell, bleed, and trap food triggering enhanced inflammation to your gums.
Preventive dental work while pregnant is important to prevent oral infections such as gum disease, which has been connected to preterm birth.
Tooth Removal During Pregnancy
Tooth extraction throughout pregnancy requires unique consideration to prevent any damage to the unborn baby. So normally dentists prevent tooth extraction while pregnant. Nevertheless, if the tooth is highly infected, non-restorable, and the infection is spreading out then the dental professional advises tooth extraction.
Depending on the trimesters of pregnancy, the oral surgeon strategies tooth extraction. Here are trimesters of pregnancy.
First Trimester (tooth extraction during early pregnancy)
Throughout the first trimester, organogenesis of the fetus happens. As an outcome, the fetus is highly susceptible to malformation of organs if the expecting mom experiences strain and stress while tooth removal. So cosmetic surgeons primarily delay tooth extraction throughout the first trimester.
Second Trimester
Throughout the 2nd trimester, fetal development takes place. So the dental professional thinks about the phase as a safe period to carry out tooth extraction and other required dental treatments.
Third Trimester
Throughout the third trimester, the expecting mother may discover it challenging to sit in the dental chair in one position for hours. Also, bleeding throughout tooth extraction during pregnancy might increase, and it might show harmful. So doctor postpones the operation or carries it out in the first month of the last trimester.
Risks Related Tooth Extraction During Pregnancy
Usually optional treatments are delayed till after giving birth, but in case of emergencies, for instance if the mom has a severe tooth pain or infection or suffers a facial swelling, it should be extracted immediately. If left neglected the infection may even threaten the life of the mother. Additionally, tooth pain may be a constant source of distress to the mom, which is very unhealthy for both mom and child. However, gingivitis ends up being intensified in pregnancy and causes patient concern, so often the tooth might not be the reason for the tooth pain; your dental expert ought to first discover the source of pain.
What about other routine dental work throughout pregnancy?
Dental work while pregnant, such as cavity fillings and crowns, need to be dealt with to decrease the opportunity of infection. If dental work is done during pregnancy, the 2nd trimester is ideal. As soon as you reach the 3rd trimester, it may be very difficult to push your back for a prolonged time period.
The safest course of action is to hold off all unneeded dental work up until after the birth.
However, in some cases emergency dental work, such as a root canal or tooth extraction, is necessary. Elective treatments, such as teeth whitening and other cosmetic procedures, ought to be postponed until after the birth. It is best to avoid this dental work while pregnant and avoid exposing the establishing baby to any dangers, even if they are very little.
What about medications used in dental work during pregnancy?
Currently, there are contrasting studies about possible adverse effects on the developing baby from medications used throughout dental work. Lidocaine is the most typically used drug for dental work. Lidocaine (Category B) does cross the placenta after administration.
If tooth removal is needed, the amount of anesthesia administered should be just possible, but still sufficient to make you comfy. If you are experiencing pain, demand extra numbing. When you fit, the quantity of stress on you and the baby is lowered. Also, the more comfortable you are, the much easier it is for the anesthesia to work.
Dental work often needs prescription antibiotics to prevent or treat infections. Prescription antibiotics such as penicillin, amoxicillin, and clindamycin, which are identified category B for safety in pregnancy, may be prescribed after your procedure.
What about x-rays used in dental work throughout pregnancy?
Regular x-rays, usually taken during annual tests, can usually be held off up until after the birth. X-rays are required to carry out many dental treatments, particularly emergencies. According to the American College of Radiology, no single diagnostic x-ray has a radiation dosage considerable sufficient to trigger unfavorable effects in an establishing embryo or fetus.
According to the ADA and ACOG, having dental X-rays throughout your pregnancy is considered safe with suitable protecting.
Some women may choose to prevent tooth removal during pregnancy throughout the first trimester understanding this is the most susceptible time of advancement. Nevertheless, there is no proof suggesting damage to the baby for those choosing to visit the dentist during this time frame.
Likewise, if non-emergency dental work is needed during the third trimester, it is normally held off up until after the birth. This is to avoid the risk of premature labor and prolonged time lying on your back.
Tips for resolving your pregnancy and dental work needs
- The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends pregnant women eat a balanced diet, brush their teeth completely with an ADA-approved fluoride tooth paste twice a day, and floss daily.
- Have preventive examinations and cleanings throughout your pregnancy.
- Let your dental expert know you are pregnant.
- Delay non-emergency dental work up until the 2nd trimester or after delivery, if possible.
- Elective procedures must be delayed up until after the delivery.
- Maintain healthy blood circulation by keeping your legs uncrossed while you sit in the dental expert’s chair.
- Take a pillow to help keep you and the baby more comfy.
