Is It Safe To Visit The Dentist While Pregnant?

If you’re pregnant, you likely have a million other things to think about other than visiting the dentist. Unfortunately, many women avoid the dentist altogether during their pregnancy or think they can’t get dental work done, until after they have their baby.

However, going for your regular dental cleanings and checkups during your pregnancy is incredibly important to prevent common oral health problems that can occur during pregnancy. These oral health problems can have effects on your birth and your baby so it’s important to tell your dentist you are pregnant and what medications you are on.

When To Tell Your Dentist You’re Pregnant

Let your San Diego pediatric dentist know you are pregnant right away, even if you only suspect you are pregnant. You should let them know how far along you are and if you are taking any medications. If you have been given special guidance by your physician, let your dentist know about this too.

This allows your dentist to be informed of whether or not your pregnancy is high-risk and they can determine if certain dental treatments need to be postponed until after the pregnancy. Informing your dentist that you are pregnant can allow them to take precautionary measures such as placing a leaded apron over your abdomen to protect your baby if x-rays are needed.

Common Dental Issues During Pregnancy

The reality is that because of common factors associated with pregnancy, such as increasing your food intake, vomiting, and hormonal changes put pregnant women at an increased risk of developing periodontal disease (gum disease) due to an inflammatory response in the body.

Gingivitis - Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease which causes swollen, puffy, and receding gums that are prone to bleeding as a result of plaque buildup. It can cause bad breath and irritation. 

Due to hormonal fluctuations, pregnant women are susceptible to gingivitis due to the body’s exaggerated response to bacteria. If it is left untreated, it can develop into gum disease which can be harmful to both you and your baby. Gum disease can cause preterm birth and low birth weight but can be prevented through frequent cleanings.

Tooth Decay - A few different behavioral changes during pregnancy can lead to an increase in cavities, such as eating more carbohydrates or sugary foods and acidity/enamel erosion from morning sickness.

Pregnancy Tumors - Tumors around the gums are not as common but are worth paying attention to. They are caused by hormonal changes (and possibly a buildup of plaque) and result in red lumps along the gum line. If you notice these, don’t panic. They are typically benign and pop up during the second trimester, but fade away post-birth. If you are concerned about these, discuss them with your dentist.

Enamel Erosion - Vomiting introduces acids into your mouth and can cause your tooth’s enamel to erode over time. If you find yourself frequently vomiting during your pregnancy, you’ll want to visit the dentist to ensure your teeth are healthy and not at risk for decay.

If any of these problems are left untreated, they can lead to an infection. If you are completely foregoing visits to the dentist during your pregnancy, you may not even realize that you have a dental infection, which can cause it to spread through the body.

A dental infection that has become exacerbated over time and spread through the body can have serious health implications for you and your baby, such as causing preterm birth. You are also likely to be very uncomfortable and in pain, if you have an untreated infection.

What Treatments Are Safe During Pregnancy?

While some major dental work may need to be postponed until after pregnancy, that doesn’t mean that you should be foregoing the dentist altogether. Regular dental cleanings and checkups are vital to ensure you have healthy teeth and gums. 

It is important to prevent tooth decay and gum disease during pregnancy, as leaving these problems untreated can lead to infection and harm your baby. Getting your teeth regularly cleaned prevents these dental problems.

The following are all considered safe dental treatments during pregnancy:

• Dental cleaning
• X-rays
• Receiving local anesthesia
• Routine dental work such as fillings, root canals, and extractions
• Certain antibiotics to treat infection
  

How to Maintain Good Oral Hygiene During Pregnancy

You want to be extra vigilant with your oral health during pregnancy to avoid common dental problems that you are at an increased risk for during your pregnancy. To keep your teeth clean and prevent decay, brush and floss your teeth twice a day.

Another way to prevent plaque and bacteria accumulation in the mouth is to eat a nutritious diet and limit your intake of sugary foods and drinks. To protect your teeth from enamel erosion, don’t immediately brush your teeth after vomiting, which exposes your teeth to stomach acids. Instead, you can rinse your mouth with a solution made of a cup of water and a tsp of baking soda, which will neutralize the acid.

Visit Sprouting Smiles Pediatric Dentistry for a Cleaning Today!

If you’re pregnant and are due for a dental cleaning or checkup, contact us at Sprouting Smiles Pediatric Dentistry. Dr. Wendy Yang will thoroughly clean and examine your teeth for risk of tooth decay and gum disease. 

Get rid of plaque and tartar buildup and enjoy a healthy, comfortable pregnancy without having to worry about running into dental problems. Schedule an appointment today!