Pregnancy: Can I have dental treatment if I am pregnant?
There are safe and necessary treatments during pregnancy, and others that can wait. Pregnancy requires the full attention of mothers and fathers.
There’s no doubt about it, but during this period we forget the importance of the mouth for the mother and the baby on the way.
For example, a pregnant woman with periodontitis is twice as likely to suffer a premature birth.
Therefore, it is important to know that during this period dental treatments are not only safe, but in many cases they are necessary to guarantee the health of the mother and the proper development of the fetus.
Pregnancy causes a real hormonal revolution in a woman’s body, which can affect her gums, making them inflamed.
This is what we call gravidarum or pregnancy gingivitis.
Preventing gums from getting sick and cavities from appearing should be the priorities in the oral health of pregnant women.
In these cases, in which there may be infection or pain, as well as in cases of emergency, we have no reason to postpone treatment since the consequences of delay will carry more risk than the treatment itself.
Can I get dental cleanings?
Prophylaxis or tartarectomy, commonly called “dental cleaning”, is essential for the prevention of oral health during pregnancy and it is recommended to perform it during the second trimester, and depending on the risk, once every trimester.
This, along with good oral hygiene, will help us prevent possible problems during pregnancy.
Is it necessary to treat gingivitis or periodontitis during pregnancy?
Healthy gums are a priority, so it is necessary to treat them in case of periodontal disease, regardless of the stage of pregnancy.
There is extensive scientific evidence showing the potential benefits of this treatment during pregnancy.
However, more important than treatment is prevention, since a woman with gingivitis or periodontitis prior to pregnancy is at greater risk of suffering adverse outcomes, mainly premature birth (before the 37th week of gestation) or low birth weight.
Therefore, it is highly recommended to visit the dentist from the moment we are looking for pregnancy to achieve optimal gingival health conditions beforehand.
Can a “choked” tooth wait?
If you have a cavity, the bacteria that cause it will pass into your baby’s mouth when he is born, with gestures as common as a kiss or licking the spoon you use to feed him.
That’s why it’s important that your mouth is healthy.
Thus, the risk of transmission will be much lower.
Are X-rays contraindicated?
Although dentists avoid performing routine check-up x-rays during pregnancy, we may need to perform them in the event of an emergency.
Either way, X-rays are safe since the radiation is minimal and we always take all precautions to reduce the risks, such as protecting the abdomen and neck.
Could I have teeth whitening or orthodontics?
Whitening should be avoided during pregnancy as most whitening agents contain hydrogen peroxide, which promotes the release of mercury from amalgam restorations (“silver fillings”), if any.
Although techniques can be used to reduce the emission of mercury vapor, it is advisable to postpone tooth whitening.
On the other hand, the Spanish Society of Orthodontics (SEDO) assures that there is no disadvantage in getting braces during pregnancy.
However, if you are already pregnant, it is recommended to wait until the baby is born to start treatment since some of the complementary tests to obtain more accurate diagnoses may not be advisable during pregnancy to avoid unnecessary risks. + info: How hormones affect a woman’s mouth