Contrary to popular belief, dental treatments during pregnancy are not detrimental to the development of the fetus. In fact, in most cases, the opposite is true. Oral health and pregnancy are strongly correlated and neglecting to look after your dental hygiene while pregnant could have adverse effects on the development of the fetus.
Pregnant women should be getting regular dental check-ups to ensure that the surplus of progesterone they are producing is not negatively affecting their dental health. An overabundance of progesterone can cause the gums between the teeth to swell and create pockets between the gums and the teeth that collect food particles, which eventually turn into plaque. If left untreated, this plaque can lead to gingivitis or even periodontal issues or severe tooth decay.
Pregnancy can affect your oral health in more ways than one. Talk to your local dentist about the relationship between pregnancy and the following dental issues:
Moms-to-be take many precautions to protect the health and welfare of their child. Many women may delay or avoid dentist visits or trips to an emergency dental clinic during pregnancy for fear that it could affect their fetus. However, the following procedure have been deemed safe for pregnant women.
Family dentists in Etobicoke can offer recommendations for how to maintain good oral hygiene practices during pregnancy as well as throughout one’s life. These include:
It is absolutely safe to visit the dentist during pregnancy; in fact, it is recommended that you do so, but just be sure to inform your dentist that you are with child and also provide a list of all of the medications you are currently taking. Also, if you are going in for a long procedure that involves anesthesia or medications, the best time to have this done is during the second trimester because by this time the fetus will have developed all of its teeth and vital limbs, but it is also good timing for the parent as well. Waiting until the third trimester might make it more difficult for the expecting parent to lie on their back for extended periods of time. Make sure the dentist is aware of how far along you are in your pregnancy so that they can adjust the procedure and the required medication dosage accordingly.
The short answer is yes. If you need a root canal or to have a tooth pulled, the numbing medications are perfectly safe for the fetus. But, once again, always inform your dentist that you are pregnant because if an x-ray is required for any of the procedures they plan to perform on your mouth, then they need to take extra precautions to prevent harm to the fetus. Usually, this entails covering your belly and thyroid area with a lead apron so that the radiation from the x-ray machine does make direct contact with you or the fetus. The risk of this happening is very minimal to begin with, but it is always sensible to take the extra safety measures anyway as it is better not to take any unnecessary chances.
You can have dental treatments during all three trimesters. The second or third trimester may be a better time for those experiencing nausea or gag reflex during the first trimester.
The biggest concern is the chance of periodontitis developing. Any form of infection within the gums and bone of the oral cavity increases the chances for delivering a pre-term or low weight baby.
Inflammation of the gum tissue, known as gingivitis, is the most common dental issue among pregnant women with more than 60% dealing with the condition.
Yes, most dental surgeries such as root canals or a tooth extraction can be performed during pregnancy.
The increased levels of estrogen and progesterone during pregnancy can lead to gingivitis.
Yes, dental conditions such as gingivitis can lead to decay on teeth and possibly bone loss. Gum infections can cause low birth weight and preterm birth.
Proper oral care such as brushing, flossing and regularly seeing a dentist for checkups can help reduce the chance of developing serious dental conditions.
Princeview Dental Group is a dental care clinic in Toronto located in the west end of the city. We perform root canal treatment procedures as well as a host of other dental procedures and dental emergencies. We follow the dental treatment guidelines and procedures when it comes to performing any and all dental work during pregnancy. To book a consultation for any treatment, call Princeview Dental Group at (416) 231-4562 at address, 3052 Bloor Street West in Etobicoke, now located under The Crooked Cue Pub and Restaurant.
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