17 May Should I Have Dental Work Done if I’m Pregnant?
Pregnancy is a busy time involving many healthcare visits. Although you may be tempted to skip your dental appointment, that’s one appointment that you definitely shouldn’t postpone. One reason is that being pregnant places you at a greater risk of developing dental problems, so now is not the time to be slacking in this department.
Pregnancy and Dental Problems
As you are no doubt aware, pregnancy really plays havoc with your hormones. When your hormones have ramped up, it can cause your gums to become swollen. When your gums swell, they have a tendency to trap food particles, potentially leading to an infection or gum disease.
Gum disease is a chronic inflammatory infection of the soft tissues surrounding the teeth. Gingivitis is the early form of gum disease, which is reversible. What you don’t want to happen is to let things get so far that it progresses into periodontitis, which is irreversible. So keep up with your brushing and flossing at home, as well as your regular dental exams and cleanings.
Another potential pregnancy red flag is morning sickness. When you vomit, the contents of your stomach come up along with stomach acid that can damage your tooth enamel. You may also be less likely to brush your teeth when you are experiencing morning sickness due to nausea and the gag reflex. If you neglect proper oral hygiene, your dental health may be jeopardized.
Avoiding the Dentist: Pregnancy Risk
If you develop gum disease, you may experience complications during your pregnancy. A number of studies have found links between gum disease and:
- Intrauterine growth restriction: The condition causing an unborn baby to not grow as expected.
- Pregnancy preeclampsia: Often leads to pre-term births.
Studies have also found a strong link between gum disease and chronic inflammatory conditions and heart disease. The mechanism is believed to be the oral bacteria that use the mouth as a gateway to reach the bloodstream and travel throughout the body, causing widespread inflammation. This process can be prevented by maintaining proper dental care.
Should I have dental work done if I’m pregnant?
The benefits of visiting the dentist far outweigh any risks.
- Routine care: If you need an x-ray, let us know if you are pregnant. You can receive your x-rays while wearing a lead apron that will protect your developing fetus and thyroid.
- Dental fillings and extractions: There is no need to avoid these procedures, as they involve little risk. The use of local anesthetics is safe during pregnancy.
- Extensive dental work: Having considerable dental work performed is probably best when done during the second or third trimester because you will not likely be experiencing as much vomiting, nausea or gag reflex.
Some procedures can wait, while others, like treatment for a dental abscess, cannot. Fortunately, you don’t need to wait. It is perfectly safe to undergo gum surgery or other types of major dental work when you are pregnant.
Just make sure that you inform your dentist so that you can receive an antibiotic that is safe for use while pregnant.
Should I make any changes to my oral care routine while pregnant?
The foundation of sound oral health does not change, regardless of whether you are pregnant or not. Make sure that you are brushing twice daily using a fluoridated toothpaste. Keep flossing. You may also want to use an alcohol-free mouthwash.
If you should vomit while you are pregnant, make sure that you are protecting your teeth by rinsing your mouth out with water to remove any stomach acids.