Dentist and Pregnancy?

Question

I'm 31 weeks pregnant this week, and have a severe toothache. I seriously need to see a dentist, but I'm wondering if the dentist will be able to give me something like novacaine before he starts working. I've spoken to a lot of women who were pregnant in the past and they all say the dentist is out - unless I wanna brave it without a local. The idea of sitting there, without any anesthetic scares me to death. At the same time, I've gotta get this tooth fixed because I think it's starting to get an abscess... so obviously I can't postpone it until I've given birth.

So am I gonna have to suck it up and do it without anesthetic or should I get the string out and pull this tooth myself (okay - bad joke... but it sounds better than an hour of torture in a dentist's chair).

Obviously I will call my doctor first :). Funnily enough, I went for a check up at the dentist in my first trimester (on doctor's advice) and my teeth were fine then!! lol... aah the joys of pregnancy.

Answer 1

Call your doctor and get a letter for the dentist. Dental care is especially important during pregnancy because problems can effect the baby. Any infection, including a tooth infection is not good during pregnancy. The best time to do dental work is during your second trimester. However, necessary work should be done at anytime during your pregnancy.

I had to have a root canal at 19 weeks. My OB gave me a letter for the dentist with instructions on what procedures and medications are safe. I was given injections to numb my mouth while they worked on me. I don't believe you can have the gas though. I also had to have x-rays, so they put two lead vests on me for added protection. I was also given Darvocet, prescribed by my OB, for pain. I am currently 32 weeks. I have another dentist appointment for a cleaning at 36 weeks. My OB told me to keep that appointment rather than waiting until after delivery.

Answer 2

Sometimes the reason for the pain is an absess and getting antibiotics will help dramatically with that. I would still see a dentist, but do call your OB.

I know I've read on boards that some pregnant women were not treated and I really find that pretty unbelievable. While some toothwork can be put off until after birth, some stuff completely affects your health.

Answer 3

Dentists know how to treat pregnant women, so just ask. Your dentist should be able to give you some form of anesthetic to ease the pain, you just shouldn't have x-rays. All anesthesia is not banned when you're pregnant...that's what epidurals are. Call your obstetrician and consult with them, then call your dentist and ask what they can do or what they recommend. If this tooth is abcessed, you can't leave it alone any longer.

Answer 4

You can get different pain killers when you're pregnant. I was on Vicodin for 3 weeks during my pregnancy last winter. I also was given a dose of morphine in the hospital. Just go in. They won't make you sit through a torture session, but they can prevent infections until you give birth and can get the good stuff!

Answer 5

They will give you something. I had 2 of my wisdom teeth pulled when I was pregnant - I didn't feel a thing. You should go to the dentist when you are pregnant for a check up at least because the baby takes so much vitimins and you want to save your teeth.

Answer 6

pregnancy does horrible things to your teeth. Call you dentist or ob. They are well aware of the do's and don'ts of that sort of thing. There is nothing worse than a toothache.

Answer 7

I had to have extensive dental surgery because of nerves dying in 8 of my teeth when I was 20 weeks. You do not have to be brave and not have a local. It will be okay to get a local anesthetic. I also had to take codeine afterwards for the pain.

Local anesthetics do enter your bloodstream and can make you sleepy.

Answer 8

my Dr told me going to the dentist is a must when you are pregnant. she even gave me a list of the medicine that the dentist can give me and local anesthesia is on it. talk to your DR about it and make sure you tell your dentist you are pregnant

Answer 9

You can have dental work pregnant. That is what they told me, they can use a special novacaine that is safe. It may be just a cavity, but if you let it go it could turn into a root canal, expensive and painful

Answer 10

Actually Novocaine is a local anesthetic. That is injected into you gums. It won't put you to sleep and it won't travel through your blood stream to your baby. It's your safest oprion.