Is It Safe to Receive Dental Treatments during Pregnancy?
Expecting mothers have many questions about pregnancy and dental work. Preventive dental exams and cleanings are recommended during pregnancy because they are safe. In addition, these preventive measures become essential because increasing hormone levels during pregnancy cause swelling, bleeding in the gums, and entrapment of food to result in irritation.
Preventive dental work during pregnancy is essential to avoid oral infections like gum disease, which has been associated with preterm birth.
Toothaches during Pregnancy and Other Dental Needs
Dental work during pregnancy for cavity fillings or crowns is essential to inhibit the chances of infections. The second trimester is ideal for dental work to complete during pregnancy. After you reach the third trimester, you might find it difficult to lie on your back for extended periods.
Occasionally emergency dental work becomes essential to eliminate severe infections in the tooth with root canals or tooth removal. In such cases, your dentist and your obstetrician can work together to determine the best course of action and medications during your procedure.
What Dental Procedures Should Be Avoided during Pregnancy?
Pregnancy doesn’t require avoiding dental procedures essential to maintain oral health. However, elective procedures like teeth whitening, dental veneers, and treatments like gum surgery are better delayed until the baby’s birth to avoid the risk of complications and tiredness by lying on your back for extended hours.
Are Dental X-Rays Safe in the Third Trimester?
If you have heard getting dental x-rays will likely harm your body, rest assured, it is just a misconception. However, not getting an x-ray from the dental clinic near me causes more harm to you than your baby.
X-rays are safe during pregnancy, although some controversies surround this matter. Studies have revealed conflicting reviews making x-rays essential only when the benefits outweigh the risks.
Dental x-rays can provide the Vancouver dentist with essential and life-saving information about many medical conditions.
It helps if you understand not all x-rays are similar in dental x-rays do not target the fetus and concentrate on your teeth. In addition, X-rays of the arms, legs, or chest do not target your reproductive organs. Instead, your torso, stomach, pelvis, and kidneys have greater chances of exposure to the uterus can the x-ray beam. However, you must ensure you inform your dentist about your pregnancy if you need x-rays for any dental treatments.
Research confirms that diagnostic x-rays do not have significant radiation to cause adverse effects on the developing fetus or embryo. Some standard diagnostic x-rays include dental, chest, CT scans of the head and chest and abdominal view.
Can You Have Your Teeth Cleaned during the Second Trimester?
You can receive preventive dental treatments during every trimester. The second trimester is the safest when you can get dental treatments. The third trimester is not harmful but can make it challenging for you to lie back on the chair of the dentist near me.
For the better part, avoiding essential dental treatments is unnecessary until after pregnancy. Many experts warn that an association between periodontal disease and poor pregnancy outcomes like preterm birth, low birth weight, and pre-eclampsia. Some providers encourage pregnant women waiting for dental care until after the first trimester to decrease the risk of miscarriage. However, many experts believe the chances of miscarriage because of dental care do not increase and don’t recommend delaying essential treatment.
Painkillers During Pregnancy
Dentists working with your healthcare provider ensure they prescribe safe and effective painkillers during pregnancy. In addition, they encourage you to use minimal medications as possible following dental procedures to inhibit the risk of opioid dependency. Therefore dentists do not prescribe extended doses of narcotic painkillers relying instead on non-steroidal anti-inflammatories for short terms during pregnancy.
What about Dental Care after Childbirth?
You can continue regular dental care, remembering that your baby also needs similar attention. Continue brushing your teeth twice daily while purchasing an infant toothbrush and toothpaste without fluoride to keep your child’s gums and budding teeth healthy. In addition, refrain from putting your baby to bed with a milk bottle because it can result in tooth decay.
Hormonal changes and some medication during pregnancy increase the risk of periodontal disease and tooth decay, making dentists advise patients to continue brushing and flossing as usual. Pregnant women need to care for their dental health because baby teeth start developing at six months of pregnancy. Pregnant women must ensure they monitor their diets to support healthy teeth in the baby.
All dental treatments except for the elective variety of safe during pregnancy. If you are pregnant and fearful of dental visits, The Art of Smile Dental Clinic can help you during this delicate and exciting stage providing all the help you need to care for your dental health.