Can You Get Dental Treatment During Pregnancy?

Dental treatment is often the last thing on a pregnant woman’s mind, which often leads expectant mothers to skip their scheduled appointments during this time. There is also a lot of misinformation that is shared on social media and anecdotally about getting dental treatment during pregnancy. So what is the final word on this subject?

How Safe Is It To Get Dental Treatment During Pregnancy?

Routine dental examination and cleanings can be carried out safely without any problem whatsoever during pregnancy, although, some doctors prefer to limit all non-emergency treatment to the second trimester. The reason for this is very straightforward. The first trimester is the time when organogenesis or the process of organ formation takes place in the baby. Any sort of infection or dissemination of microorganisms in the bloodstream, as can happen with dental treatment, was considered to be potentially dangerous during this time.

During recent times, though, studies have shown that even simple everyday acts like brushing teeth can cause a similar amount of micro-organisms to be released into the blood stream and thus this fear was found to be unfounded.

The third trimester is the time when any release of inflammatory products or infection can cause premature contractions and can result in a pre-term birth. This is why the second trimester is the best time to carry out any elective dental treatment.

Dental X- Rays During Pregnancy

Dental X-rays are extremely low power and even conventional film dental x-rays can be safely done during pregnancy with proper precautions. Most clinics are now equipped with digital X-rays that are extremely low power and on average expose the patient to 1/100^th the amount of radiation as compared to conventional dental x-rays.

Women having dental X-rays during pregnancy should be provided with a lead apron to protect the abdomen as well as the thyroid of the patient. X-rays should also be taken only when entirely necessary and so routine X-rays during checkups can be avoided.

Is Bleeding From The Gums Common During Pregnancy?

Bleeding from the gums is extremely common during pregnancy, however, it is not something that should be ignored. The reason why gums bleed during pregnancy is because a higher number of small blood vessels develop in conjunction with the hormonal changes taking place.

This makes the gums more likely to bleed in the presence of a normal amount of plaque and calculus. If bleeding is noticed during pregnancy, it could be the first sign of gum disease — which in turn is associated with the occurrence of pre-term, low birth weight births.

Pregnant women facing bleeding are advised to go to their dentist and get a routine cleaning done to prevent infections and complications.

Is Dental Anesthesia Safe During Pregnancy? 

Getting an Extraction Or Root Canal During Pregnancy

Both of these procedures, tooth extraction and root canal treatment may need to be carried out as emergency procedures and can be performed safely if necessary. The ideal situation would be one where the condition is caught before becoming an emergency, however, that is not always the case.

One of the controversial areas in the subject of dental treatment during pregnancy has to do with the administration of anesthesia. Lidocaine is the most common drug used for local anesthesia in dental treatment around the world. It is also a drug that can cross the placental barrier and thus be transferred to the developing fetus.

There was a time when this was considered to be a no-no and so the absolute minimal amount of anesthesia was used. Researchers later found that such an approach caused immense stress and actually increased the chances of causing premature childbirth.

Nowadays, adequate anesthesia is used to ensure that any emergency procedure can be carried out without causing any pain and in as stress-free an environment as possible.

Is It Safe To Get Cavities Filled During Pregnancy?

Not only is it safe to get cavities filled during pregnancy, it is in fact recommended. Cavities or tooth decay can progress at a faster rate during pregnancy for several reasons. One of those reasons is the change in micro-organism populations inside the mouth to one that is more conducive to tooth decay, and the other is an increase in the amount of food lodgment due to inflamed gums.

If tooth decay is left unchecked, it can reach the center of the tooth where all the nerve endings are and cause severe pain. This is a dental emergency and is treated by root canal procedure. While you might not like the thought of undergoing a routine cavity filling procedure, surely, it is best to avoid more extensive treatment by acting on time?

Medication During Pregnancy

Most kinds of medication, including painkillers and antibiotics, are avoided during pregnancy unless absolutely necessary. There are approved drugs for use during pregnancy that your dentist can prescribe to you if needed.

The need to avoid certain medications during pregnancy is the reason it is very important that the dentist knows that the patient is pregnant before the appointment. This will allow the treatment and any medication that has to be prescribed to be amended appropriately.

Mild painkillers like paracetamol (tylenol) and broad spectrum antibiotics like amoxycillin are safe for use during dental procedures although restraint should be exercised here as well. One of the potential side effects of amoxicillin use is diarrhea which can be very dangerous in pregnant women.

Conclusion

The current consensus of leading dental institutions like the American Dental Association is that dental treatment can be safely provided to pregnant women. They also recommend that routine check-ups and cleaning be carried out during pregnancy so that any further complications can be avoided. However, if you are hoping to avoid extensive dental work during pregnancy, you could also opt to carry out dental checks and any procedures that are necessary before you attempt to become pregnant, giving you peace of mind that you will not need to have a root canal or crown placement while you are expecting.