It is common for women to have questions about the potential risks of having dental procedures during pregnancy. Annual exams or a routine dental cleanings are completely safe procedures to have when you are pregnant. A woman’s body experiences an increase in the level of hormones during a pregnancy. This can cause the gums to bleed and swell. Food may become trapped causing an irritation to your gums. It is critical that a woman does not neglect preventative dental work during her pregnancy. Gum disease and other oral infections have been associated with premature births.

Regular dental work during a pregnancy

Crowns and cavity fillings should be taken care of during pregnancy. Having these procedures will reduce the possibility of infection. The second trimester is the ideal time to have these procedures done. Many women have problems lying on their back for a long period of time when they are in the third trimester.

Emergency dental procedures are sometimes required. These cases can include a tooth extraction or a root canal. Dentists that routinely perform emergency dental procedures are experienced in dealing with pregnant women. They know all of the necessary precautions to take in order to ensure the safety of the baby.

Teeth whitening and various cosmetic procedures that are elective treatments should not be done until after the baby is born. While the risk to the baby would be minimal during these procedures, it would be best no to take any unnecessary chances.

Medications used in dental work on pregnant women

As far as the possible adverse effects of medications on the development of a baby, the studies that have been made seem to conflict with each other. The most commonly used drug in dentistry is lidocaine, which does cross the placenta after it has been administered.

If emergency dental work is needed, the minimal amount of anesthesia should be given. Only the smallest amount necessary to provide the patient with comfort should be used. If pain is experienced during the procedure, the woman should ask to be numbed further. It is important to keep the amount of stress on the patient and the baby to a minimum. The anesthesia will also work faster when the patient is comfortable.

X-rays during pregnancy

If at all possible, all x-rays should be postponed until after the baby is born. If a dental emergency occurs that makes x-rays absolutely necessary, the dentist will use the necessary precautions to make sure the baby is protected. There have been many advances in x-ray technology. It is safer now than it ever has been before. The American College of Radiology has stated that a single diagnostic x-ray does not contain a radiation dose that would be powerful enough to cause any harm to an embryo or fetus that is still developing.

The development of organs in a fetus takes place in the first trimester. Therefore, a woman should try to avoid anything that could be a possible risk during this period of time. Dental work that is not an emergency in the third trimester should be put off until after the baby is born. The risk of the woman going into premature labor is greater during this time if the woman is lying on her back for an extended period of time.

 

Call or visit Sacramento Emergency Dental Care in Roseville today. Our office is located at 901 Sunrise Ave. Ste A1 and our telephone number is 916-520-1719. You may also visit our website at www.ASAPdentist.com