Pregnant And Need Dental Care? Know What Procedures Are Safe

Posted on: 31 October 2016

Women that are pregnant should still be visiting a dentist for their semi-annual checkups, since the changes their bodies undergo can lead to issues with their gums. Plaque can build up due to the gums not firmly gripping the teeth, which can cause issues with gum disease and decay. While checkups are important, know that not all dental procedures are safe for pregnant women, or should only be performed if necessary.

Safe Procedures

Regular flossing and brushing, as well as cleanings by your dental hygienist, are always safe. You can also undergo an exam and treatment for gingivitis, which is when your gums are bleeding, swelling, or an overall red color. If you have an oral infection or need to treat your gums, clindamycin, amoxicillin, and penicillin are safe to be used.

For cavities, consider the amount of anesthesia needed to perform the procedure. Lidocain can get to your placenta, so a dentist will recommend you using the least amount of anesthesia possible when filling a cavity.

Root canals or an emergency extraction might be a necessary if you can get an infection from it by leaving the problem untreated. While there are risks involved with these procedures, the risks of leaving an infection untreated is much greater than any risks of the procedure itself.

Not Safe Procedures

Tetracycline is an antibiotic used to treat infections and has a known side effect of discoloring your baby's teeth while in the womb. Your dentist will recommend a different antibiotic to treat an infection.

X-rays should be avoided during the 1st trimester, since the baby will still be developing. A dentist may delay taking x-rays until further into the pregnancy if they are necessary to treat a problem. In addition, your dentist will try to avoid doing complicated dental procedures during the 3rd trimester, because laying down on your backside can limit blood circulation to the baby, which reduces the oxygen it receives.

Many cosmetic dental procedures should be avoided, including teeth polishing, due to the chemicals involves with doing the procedure.

The best way to ensure healthy teeth during a pregnancy is to eat plenty of fresh vegetables, foods, and foods that contain vitamin D and calcium. If you need to have a dental procedure performed, stress can be one of the biggest factors on the health of the baby. A mistake often made is not using safe forms of anesthesia or antibiotics in fear of hurting the baby, when the stress caused by a result of not taking them is what causes the most harm.

For more info about what is safe during pregnancy, speak to a dentist, such as those at Treasured Smiles Dentistry.

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