Dentists will take extra precautions when they know you're pregnant to ensure your care is safe for you and your baby. Untreated decay and gum disease can lead to infections, which can be a risk to you and your baby.
However, it's important that you tell your dentist you are pregnant before X-rays are done so the staff can provide a special garment or device to shield your pelvis and abdomen from exposure.
The short answer is yes, you should tell the hygienist and dentist you're pregnant. To learn more about dental care during pregnancy, keep reading.
Is it safe to visit the dentist while I'm pregnant? Yes. In fact, experts at the American Dental Association, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Academy of Pediatrics all encourage you to see your dentist while you're expecting.
Hormonal changes during pregnancy can make your gums more vulnerable to plaque, leading to inflammation and bleeding. This is also called pregnancy gingivitis or gum disease. Your dentist will be able to help with this. NHS dental care is free during pregnancy and for the first year after the birth of your baby.
It's safe to have your teeth cleaned at any point in your pregnancy, although you may want to avoid going in the third trimester just because it can be uncomfortable to lean back, said Dr. Andrew Martin, a dentist at Coast Dental Gainesville.
Some women may elect to avoid dental work during the first trimester knowing this is the most vulnerable time of development. However, there is no evidence suggesting harm to the baby for those electing to visit the dentist during this time frame.
In the video, she explains that your dentist may be able to tell you're pregnant just by looking in your mouth — “not only due to the nausea and enamel erosion, but due to something called pregnancy gingivitis, which is seen in 30-50% of pregnant patients.”
It is natural to be worried about getting dental fillings during pregnancy. However, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Dental Association agree that cavities can be treated safely at any time during pregnancy.
Regular and emergency dental care, including the use of local anesthetics and radiographs, is safe at any stage during pregnancy.
The reality is that pregnancy itself can cause dental problems, and many women do not realize they need a root canal until they are already pregnant. Fortunately, root canal treatment is generally considered safe during pregnancy.
You're entitled to free NHS dental treatment if you're pregnant when you start your treatment and for 12 months after your baby is born. To get free NHS dental treatment, you must have a valid maternity exemption certificate (MatEx) issued by your midwife or GP.
It is safe to perform routine dental treatment in the early part of the third trimester, but from the middle of the third trimester routine dental treatment should be avoided. The recommendations are: Oral hygiene instruction, and plaque control. Scaling, polishing, and curettage may be performed if necessary.
Pregnancy may make women more prone to periodontal (gum) disease and cavities. Oral health may be considered an important part of prenatal care, given that poor oral health during pregnancy can lead to poor health outcomes for the mother and baby.
Periodontal disease in an expectant mother can even lead to miscarriage or stillbirth. And the cause can be as simple as gestational gingivitis—something that is easily overlooked, even by doctors. The key to limiting the impact of gum disease on pregnancy lies in controlling inflammation.
During pregnancy, women may be more prone to gum disease and cavities. Pregnant women are more likely to develop gingivitis, an early stage of periodontal disease that occurs when the gums become red and swollen from inflammation that may be aggravated by changing hormones during pregnancy.
You can pass the bacteria that causes cavities to your baby during pregnancy and after birth. This can cause problems for your baby later in life.
During most x-ray examinations - like those of the arms, legs, head, teeth, or chest - your reproductive organs are not exposed to the direct x-ray beam. So these kinds of procedures, when properly done, do not involve any risk to the unborn child.
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It's possible that you can postpone the Pap test until your postpartum checkup, especially if you have a history of normal Pap results. However, know that the Pap test is considered safe (and is recommended) during pregnancy in order to protect your health.
Infection – A deep cavity that leads to an abscess can affect not only your health, but that of the baby, especially if the pain is severe enough to cause significant stress. Also, the inflammation and resulting fever can cause stress in the growing fetus.
It does not appear that anaesthetic agents have teratogenic effects in humans. However anaesthesia and surgery during pregnancy are associated with an increased risk of miscarriage, premature birth, low birth weight infants and infant death.
But, can you safely undergo a tooth extraction during pregnancy? The answer, as far as the American Dental Association and other health agencies are concerned, is yes.
But don't worry, experiencing tooth pain while pregnant is relatively common — you can thank hormones for this! The easiest way to minimize tooth pain during pregnancy is maintaining good oral health habits, which includes: Not skimping on healthy habits — make sure to brush twice a day and floss.
Extractions can be performed any time during pregnancy, but your dentist may recommend the second trimester as the ideal time.
For example, you have a right to refuse induction, decide whether or not to get an epidural, eat and drink during labor, and give birth in the position of your choice. You have the right to choose where to labor and give birth and leave the hospital or birth center against medical advice.