Is It Okay To Go to the Dentist During Pregnancy?
You’re newly pregnant and quickly learning that many risks come along with growing a baby. Is your oral health one of them?
Women may wonder if going to the dentist during pregnancy is unsafe or unnecessary, but it’s quite the opposite. If you’re wondering if you should visit the dentist during pregnancy, it’s not only highly recommended, but it could help you and your baby avoid many problems.
Learn why many professionals recommend regular dental visits with experienced dentists during pregnancy and how you can keep yourself and your baby safe during a crucial time.
Table of Contents
- Should You Go to the Dentist While Pregnant?
- General Guidelines for Going to the Dentist While Pregnant
- 7 Reasons Dental Care During Pregnancy Is So Important
- Mint Dental Works Wants To Keep You and Your Baby Safe With First-Rate Oral Care During Your Pregnancy
Should You Go to the Dentist While Pregnant?
Yes! It’s highly encouraged for women to visit the dentist during pregnancy. It’s so important to see the dentist during pregnancy that some insurance plans cover extra visits during and shortly after pregnancy, so check with your provider to see if you’re eligible.
However, elective treatments are not recommended during pregnancy. Instead, regular cleanings and maintenance are encouraged throughout pregnancy, and any restorative or palliative treatments are recommended during the second trimester — things like:
- Fillings
- Crowns
- Dental implants
- Root canals
- Bridges
The American Dental Association, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the American Academy of Pediatrics all agree that women should get dental work while pregnant.
Mint Dental Works is a SE Portland dentist that provides general dentistry services in a LEED-certified office. We have experience treating pregnant women, with comfort and safety as our top priorities.
Is It Safe To Get Dental Work While Pregnant?
Yes, it is generally safe to get dental work done while pregnant, but there are some caveats. The general rule of thumb, is to save restorative or palliative treatment for the second trimester.
The American Dental Association, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the American Academy of Pediatrics all agree that women should get dental work while pregnant.
General Guidelines for Going to the Dentist While Pregnant
Regular Dental Maintenance/Cleanings
These can — and should — be done throughout pregnancy as needed. It’s recommended to visit your dentist for maintenance and cleanings twice a year, but remember to check with your insurance provider to see if you’re eligible for additional dental visits throughout your pregnancy.
As you get closer to term, there is sometimes an issue of where the baby is lying and applying pressure that may make a regular cleaning uncomfortable. We encourage pregnant patients not to be anxious about this small detail — there are ways we can assure you are as comfortable as possible during your visit.
Dental X-Rays
X-rays are not typically encouraged during pregnancy, but the amount of radiation used in dental X-rays is very low. If necessary, dental radiography is safe at any stage during pregnancy.
To minimize radiation exposure, your abdomen will be covered with a protective apron.
Necessary Restorative or Palliative Treatments
If anything, taking care of your oral health is more critical than ever when pregnant. While conducting routine maintenance and cleaning, your dentist may identify the need for additional treatments. Delaying these restorative or palliative procedures until after pregnancy could exacerbate issues and lead to increased discomfort. It is advisable to address them promptly when it is safe to do so.
These treatments — fillings, crowns, root canals, etc. — are ideal during the second trimester for two reasons:
- The first trimester offers a higher risk of complications.
- During the third trimester, the discomfort often makes it challenging to maintain the required position for dental procedures for an extended period.
If your dental treatment during pregnancy requires anesthesia or antibiotics, there are many safe options:
- Anesthesia – bupivacaine, lidocaine, mepivacaine
- Antibiotics – Penicillin, amoxicillin, cephalosporins
*Always consult with your OB/Gyn and dentist before using any of these anesthesia or antibiotic options during pregnancy.
Elective Treatments
If it’s not necessary for your dental health, it’s recommended to wait until after pregnancy to receive elective treatment.
Dental treatments are classified as elective if:
- The procedure is done to improve a patient’s smile
- The teeth or gum tissue being treated is not decayed, impaired, or damaged
- There is no medical reason for performing the treatment
Elective treatments may include things like:
- Teeth whitening
- Some orthodontic therapy
- Composite bonding
- Cosmetic crowns
7 Reasons Dental Care During Pregnancy Is So Important
Dental care remains crucial at all times, but for pregnant women, heightened risks underscore the importance of maintaining regular dental maintenance and cleanings during this period.
The dental team at Mint Dental Works has experience treating pregnant women and helping to minimize many risks. Contact us today for an appointment.
#1: There Is a Link Between Gum Disease and Pre-Term Birth/Low Birth Weight
Periodontitis — or gum disease — is a destructive inflammatory disease of the supporting tissues of the teeth caused by specific microorganisms.
Gum disease isn’t ideal for anyone, but research suggests that the bacteria that causes the inflammation of the gums can enter a woman’s bloodstream and impact a growing fetus. If this happens, there is potential for premature labor and babies born with low birth weight.
#2: Pregnancy Can Increase the Occurrence of Gingivitis
Throughout pregnancy, a woman’s hormones undergo significant changes, leading to various physiological responses. One such response, regulated by hormones, is a potential rise in gingivitis. While there’s no evidence suggesting that the additional plaque accumulating around an expectant mother’s teeth will adversely affect the growing baby, it may pose potential issues for the mother’s oral health.
If you have gingivitis, you might notice:
- A build-up of plaque
- Inflammation
- Bleeding gums
#3: Morning Sickness Can Affect Your Teeth
At least 7 in 10 pregnant women experience morning sickness during the first trimester. For many, this improves between 12 and 20 weeks. Unfortunately for some, hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) — excessive vomiting — may last nearly an entire pregnancy.
Frequent vomiting can begin to cause damage to the teeth’s enamel, breaking it down and causing the teeth to become translucent and sensitive to temperature changes. In more severe scenarios, pregnant women may begin to lose teeth or need them repaired. It’s important to rinse and/or brush after vomiting to protect your teeth.
#4: Changes in Eating Habits May Lead To Tooth Decay
Your diet might typically be very healthy and rather good for your dental hygiene — you avoid sugar, sticky foods, carbonated drinks, and heavily starchy food.
But when pregnancy cravings or aversions hit, there’s no stopping what you feed yourself.
Maybe you once snacked on grapes before bed but now prefer gummy bears. Previously, you only drank water but now you can’t seem to kick your afternoon soda habit.
Although it’s sometimes unavoidable to ignore pregnancy cravings or changes in food preferences during this time, doing your best to avoid the foods that can damage your teeth is ideal.
#5: Disruptions in Your Routine Can Affect Your Oral Care
We get it — pregnancy is exhausting. Throw in added stress like working a full-time job, taking care of your household, and managing a family — you’re tired at the end of the day.
Maybe you crash hard on the couch after dinner and when you wake up, it’s the middle of the night. Instead of heading to the bathroom for your regular nightly routine, you head straight to bed and skip your oral hygiene.
Every once in a while this might be okay, but regular disruptions to your oral care may lead to bigger problems down the road.
#6: Oral Pregnancy Tumors May Occur
Pregnant women sometimes experience pyogenic granulomas — or pregnancy tumors — on their gum tissue.
The hemorrhagic swellings are often red, raw-looking overgrowths of tissue that appear raspberry-like on the gums between the teeth. Most common in the second trimester, pregnancy tumors tend to bleed easily, interfere with chewing, and may lead to serious infections. Your dentist can help address these before they become an issue.
#7: Oral Bacteria and Infections Can Affect Your Baby
Did you know that oral bacteria can translocate from the mouth and reach the bloodstream, cross into the placenta, access intra-amniotic fluid, and enter fetal circulation?
Crazy, right?
Active bacteria doesn’t have to come just from the mother though. If the mother’s partner has bad bacteria that enters the mother’s mouth, it can also be transferred to a growing baby, so the less active bacteria that either parent has, the better.
Mint Dental Works Wants To Keep You and Your Baby Safe With First-Rate Oral Care During Your Pregnancy
Pregnancy often causes enough stress on a mother, but taking care of your oral health doesn’t have to be one of them.
Mint Dental Works has experience treating pregnant women and offers safe and effective oral care during pregnancy.
Not only do we perform regular exams and cleanings on pregnant women, but we understand when it is safe to take care of additional treatments. We can also offer tips on how to stay on top of your oral hygiene during pregnancy, like:
- Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day.
- Floss at least once a day.
- Avoid anything sugary, acidic, or sticky.
- Rinse regularly with salt water if you’re experiencing pregnancy gingivitis.
- Create an acid-neutralizing rinse to clean your mouth after morning sickness.
- Eat a balanced diet that supports pregnancy and the baby’s growth.
Our LEED-certified dental office offers both general and cosmetic dentistry so we can help care for you before, during, and after pregnancy. Contact us today.
The content in this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.