Can You Get Dental Work Done during Pregnancy?
If you are pregnant and need dental treatment, you must understand pregnancy is not a reason to avoid dental visits. You can obtain dental treatment when pregnant at any time so long as you refrain from elective treatments during pregnancy in the second trimester between 14 to 20 weeks.
Avoiding dental treatments during pregnant is not suggested by dentists because the consequences of not treating conditions in your mouth during pregnancy outweigh any possible risks of the medicines used during dental treatment.
Additionally, the FDA recommends women must use non-mercury fillings if required during pregnancy as dental treatments for fillers. The recommendation also holds good for women planning a pregnancy because of the harmful health effects of mercury exposure. However, women with amalgam fillings in good condition need not remove or replace them when pregnant unless medically necessary.
When Should Women Consider Dental Treatments If Pregnant?
Dental infections develop at any time without considering the condition of the patient. If you develop one, you must ensure you get prompt treatment even if you are pregnant. Instances of pregnant women undergoing the fearsome root canal treatment are documented because Endodontists adopt precautionary measures to ensure the patient is not affected by the x-rays they take or any medicines they use when performing the therapy.
In reality, women are encouraged by the ADA and the American Congress of obstetricians and gynecologists besides the American Academy of Pediatrics to get dental care when pregnant because it is a crucial period in the women’s life and keeping all health in excellent condition is directly associated with their overall health.
What Afflictions Can Affect Pregnant Women?
Although many women progress through their pregnancy without dental discomfort, their condition can worsen some problems or create new ones. Besides maintaining a proper oral hygiene regimen, regular exams and cleanings help keep women and their babies healthy. Afflictions that can affect women during pregnancy are mentioned below for your reference.
Pregnancy Gingivitis
Pregnant women are affected by hormonal changes during pregnancy. For example, women can develop pregnancy gingivitis which causes inflammation of the gums leaving behind swelling and tenderness. As a result, women’s gums may bleed when brushing and flossing. If left untreated, gingivitis results in a severe form of gum disease called periodontitis. In such cases, dentists recommend more frequent treatments like cleanings to prevent the condition.
Tooth Decay
Pregnant women are more prone to tooth decay for many reasons. The habit of eating carbohydrates during pregnancy is familiar to women. However, carbohydrates can cause decay. In addition, women affected by morning sickness increase the number of acids in their mouth, eroding the tooth’s outer surface, the enamel.
Women find it defying to brush twice daily and floss for many reasons, including daylight sickness, sensitive gag reflex, fragile gums, and fatigue. Therefore women need to keep up their routine because poor dental habits during pregnancy are associated with premature delivery, gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, and intrauterine growth restriction.
Pregnancy Tumors
Some women develop pregnancy tumors on the gums during the second trimester. The overgrowth of tissue is just a swelling happening most often between the teeth because of excess dental plaque. The tumors bleed easily and have a reddish appearance. The tumors disappear after the birth of the baby, but if concerned, women must discuss the issue with their dentist to get them removed.
Women visiting their dentists must provide information about any prescription or over-the-counter medications they take. The information helps the practitioner to determine which prescription to write for them if required. The dentist can also consult with women’s primary care physicians to choose medicines such as painkillers or antibiotics during their pregnancy.
Primary care physicians and dentists are both concerned about pregnant women and their babies. Therefore women can question both professionals about any medications they recommend to understand whether they are safe to consume.
Anesthetics during Pregnancy
Women needing fillings, tooth extractions, or root canal treatments do not have to worry about anesthetics dentists use during the procedures. The drugs used are safe both for women and the baby.
Women need not fear getting x-rays during pregnancy because the radiation levels of dental x-rays are deficient, and dentists cover the abdomen with a lead apron to minimize exposure to radiation. Dentists also cover the throat with a lead collar to protect the thyroid from radiation.
As is evident dental treatments are safe during pregnancy, and women can consider getting any dental work done if they are expecting.