You’re pregnant, congratulations! You may be concerned how pregnancy is going to affect your dental health. In the past, many pregnant women avoided dental work because they were worried about the effects on the baby. But this isn’t always necessary. Sticking to your regular cleaning schedule, getting urgent issues addressed, and keeping up with your oral care are essential to the health of the mother and baby.
Dental Cleaning During Pregnancy
You should tell your dentist that you are pregnant right away, but there should be no reason why you can’t have your teeth cleaned as usual during pregnancy. It’s important to keep up with your regular cleanings because pregnancy can sometimes affect your teeth.
Keeping your regular oral care routine can help your dentist identify if any serious issues with your dental health may be caused by pregnancy. Some women develop pregnancy periodontitis, a condition that causes swollen, tender gums that may bleed when brushing or flossing.
Cavities can become a higher risk during pregnancy as well. Increased consumption of carbohydrates is extra fuel for the bacteria in your mouth to cause tooth decay. And morning sickness increases the acids in your mouth, which can also lead to increased tooth decay.
During a professional cleaning, the dentist or hygienist might notice potential problems, which can then be addressed and a treatment plan can be put in place. This will help prevent you from having to undergo extensive dental treatment later. If possible, book at least two dental cleaning appointments per year.
Pregnancy and Tooth Extractions
Tooth extractions can be performed safely during your pregnancy. Most dentists recommend getting your tooth extraction done before the baby arrives since any post-procedure medications may affect your breast milk.
Dentists recommend that you schedule a tooth extraction during your second trimester. The first trimester is typically a fragile time of pregnancy. During the third trimester, many patients find it difficult to lie on their back for a long time, so a tooth extraction might no longer be comfortable at this point, either
Dental Fillings While Pregnant
Address cavities right away, even during pregnancy. If a cavity is left untreated, it can get worse and cause an infection. You can safely have dental fillings at any point during pregnancy, although the best time is the second trimester.
Dental Anesthesia & Local Anesthetic
Research suggests that general anesthesia is safe for pregnant patients. However, many dentists recommend waiting to undergo any anesthesia until the second trimester, as an added safety precaution. If anesthesia can be avoided, like, in the case of elective treatments, your dentist may recommend waiting until after the baby arrives or elect to use a local anesthetic if possible.
X-Rays During Pregnancy
Yes, even x-rays are safe when you’re pregnant. Very little radiation is used during a dental x-ray, and for added safety, your dentist will use a lead apron to protect your abdomen and thyroid gland.
Although dental x-rays are perfectly safe, some women don’t feel comfortable having them during pregnancy. If you know you’re likely to get pregnant soon, ask your dentist to take any needed x-rays now. Unless there is a problem, Dentists typically only need to take one x-ray every year or two, so you can avoid having an x-ray during your pregnancy.
Taking Care of Your Teeth at Home
Although you might feel tired and unwell at various stages of your pregnancy, it’s important to keep up your oral hygiene routine. Brush your teeth with toothpaste that contains fluoride at least twice a day and floss in the evenings.
If you have morning sickness, don’t brush your teeth straight after throwing up because this can damage the enamel. Instead, use an alcohol-free mouthwash. Avoid consuming substances that contain a lot of sugar. These include carbonated drinks, many kinds of desserts, and juice. The bacteria on your teeth release acid when they break down sugar, so you’re at risk of developing cavities and other dental issues.
What About Post-Pregnancy Care?
After your child is born, you might struggle to take good care of your teeth because you are very busy and tired. Don’t give up on your routine. Continue brushing and flossing regularly, and visit your dentist once or twice a year.
Your baby will need to start seeing a child-friendly dentist as soon as their first tooth shows. In their first year, a child should have at least two appointments at the clinic. After that, an annual checkup is enough, unless there is an issue.
You
Like the rest of your body, your teeth and gums go through changes during your pregnancy. That’s why a follow-up appointment a few months after the birth of your child is a good idea. During the appointment, the dentist will check that your teeth are healthy.
Your Baby
Bring your baby to the dentist as soon as their first tooth is visible. At Cornerstone Dental, we will check that their gums are healthy and make sure their teeth develop properly. These early visits are important because they help to prevent issues, but they also allow your child to build up a positive relationship with the dentist.
If your little one has good first memories of visiting the dental clinic, they’re unlikely to develop a fear later in life. This is important because dental phobias prevent millions of people from getting important treatments. We understand the needs of young patients, and we always do our best to make the experience pleasant for them.
Take good care of your oral hygiene to prevent infections, gum disease, and cavities during pregnancy. You can have emergency dental work and dental cleanings at any stage, but it’s best to avoid non-emergent cosmetic treatments if possible. While dental work can be done at any stage of the pregnancy, the second trimester is typically the safest and most comfortable for you and the baby.
Are You Searching For A Martinsburg Area Dental Office For You Or Your Family?
If you’re searching for an experienced dentist please feel free to contact us online or call our Martinsburg, West Virginia dental office directly at 304.267.6059 to schedule your appointment. We provide a wide range of general dentistry care as well as more involved dentistry services for patients throughout the Martinsburg area and look forward to you joining the Cornerstone Dental family.
