Chicago Dentist - Pregnancy and Dental Care

Pregnancy and Dental Care

There was a point in time when a dentist would not see a woman who was pregnant, until after the baby was born. Today, that is no longer the case. In fact, dental care for pregnant women is highly recommended, and to some essential, because pregnancy is hard on the body, and this includes your teeth and gums.

It is not uncommon for the gums to swell and even bleed during pregnancy. In fact, because of the shift in gums, due to swelling, food can easily become trapped between the gums and the teeth, causing irritation at the least, and infection at the most. For this reason, you should continue with your twice yearly cleanings.

While cleanings are safe, not all dental procedures are safe. Any dental procedure that would require the use of drugs should be avoided until after the birth of the baby if possible, unless the drug is approved by your OB/GYN. Most antibiotics are safe, but you still need to check with your doctor before taking any drugs. It is a good idea to put your dental care professional in touch with your OB/GYN to discuss dental treatment options before any action is taken.

X-Rays are something else that a pregnant woman must consider. In most cases, no x-rays will be taken while you are pregnant, unless it is absolutely necessary. However, experts agree that a simple oral X-Ray has such a low dose of radiation that it cannot possibly harm a fetus. With that said, however, x-rays during the first trimester should be avoided.

Dental work is best attended to during the second trimester of pregnancy, for many reasons. First, you have passed the risk of miscarriage. Second, it is during this time that you will be most comfortable lying on your back for an extended amount of time. During the third trimester, this isn’t comfortable, and it makes dental work hard to bear.

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