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.