Dental Procedures during Pregnancy

Annual exams and routine dental care involving cleaning and other hygienic procedures are safe during pregnancy. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that you should continue with the normal dental care routine during pregnancy. Just let your dentist know that you are pregnant. You need to consult with your dentist especially when you need to get dental procedures, fillings or root canals done.

Usually the second trimester is the ideal time for getting such dental procedures done. When the third trimester starts, it would become increasingly complicated to lie flat on your back for great lengths of time. The best thing to do in such circumstance is to postpone all such dental procedures which are not needed as an emergency, for after the baby’s birth. In the same way, elective treatments such as cosmetic procedures or whitening of teeth can be left to be done after birth.

Advice for Dental Procedures during Pregnancy

• The most common and safe injections used for dental procedures during pregnancy are lidocaine or novocaine.
• You might need to go through anaesthesia for the dental procedures. Keep it to as little as possible during the procedure. You can request for additional numbing if the relief from pain is not adequate.
• You should always try to be comfortable as it has a direct impact on the baby. There should not be any sort of stress on the baby.
• Bring a music player and your favourite music CDs to help relax. Also, focus on leaving your legs uncrossed to keep blood circulation flowing.
• Avoid antibiotics such as tetracycline during pregnancy.  It can discolour of your baby’s temporary and permanent teeth.
• Antibiotics are needed for dental work as it prevents infections. Antibiotics such as penicillin, amoxicillin, and clindamycin, which are categorised passable for safety during pregnancy. It has been rated B and may be prescribed after the dental procedure.
• Regular X-rays should be postponed for getting done post-delivery. If you have serious teeth problems and need X-rays for cure, it may be allowed after advice from your doctor.
• The risk of foetal damage because of x-rays is minimal but since the organ development in the foetus happens in the first trimester, it is avoidable to have an X-ray done. It is much better to err on the side of caution.

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