Anyone had dental care in pregnancy?

Question

Hi there I have got to have a filling removed and replaced as I have cavities in the tooth and am in pain, and a normal filling but I am only 11 weeks pregnant. I was going to wait until after I had the baby as I have heard a mixed reaction to dental care in pregnancy.
I went to the dentist for advice today and he seemed happy to go ahead! Is this correct? as I have heard you should avoid x-rays local anaesthetic injections etc. Has anyone else had this type of thing done and everything was ok?
Thank you for your help

Answer 1

I'm in the same boat you are. I had a tooth "fall apart" and HAD to go to the dentist. they ended up doing some x-rays (using 2 lead shields) and then did 3 cavity removals and new fillings. They called my OBGYN before they did anythign and he told them it was fine to do. They said the pain I was experiencing was worse for the baby and if there was an infection in there it could travel to the baby.
I'm 11 weeks also and now I think I have to have a root canal. I go in tomorrow to find out for sure.
I think your doctor will agree that the benefits outweight the costs on dental work.

Answer 2

Most dentists will not touch you until you are in your second trimester, which is 12 weeks. I'm 17 weeks now and broke my tooth last week. My dentist said that I need an x-ray and a local anasthetic but I have to get clearance from my OB, which was not a problem. I think the clearance was just to make sure I was having a normal pregnancy. And when they do the x-ray, they put two of those heavy jacket things on you instead of one. Your dentist knows what precautions to take with pregnant woman, just trust them.

Answer 3

I can answer your questions regarding the risk to your baby by having dental x-rays. The following is taken from a website which has questions answered by qualified medical personnel who are experts in radiation and it's effects. Here is what I found:

"Dental x rays, as with most x rays, are taken with the machine focused right on the area where the x rays need to go. Because of this there is virtually no exposure to anything other than the item of interest (in this case, a tooth or teeth)."

http://hps.org/publicinformation/ate/q360.html

"dental x rays result in insignificant exposure to the embryo. Therefore, the "scatter" that might reach the embryo would be extremely small and would not represent an increased risk for birth defects or miscarriage to your embryo."

http://hps.org/publicinformation/ate/q1329.html

"When you receive a diagnostic x ray study of your head, teeth, chest, arms, or legs at a qualified facility, the exposure of the x rays is not to your ovaries. The "scatter" that might reach the ovaries would be extremely small and would not represent an increased risk for birth defects or miscarriage in a future pregnancy. The most important characteristic of x rays that concerns us is the dose. You may not know that we ourselves are radioactive and we are exposed to many sources of natural radiation that we cannot avoid. Your ovaries did not receive a dose that would result in any measurable increased reproductive risk. If you are healthy and young and have no reproductive problems or family history of reproductive problems your risk for birth defects is 3% and for miscarriage, 15%. Neither you nor I can change that risk which all mothers have when they begin a pregnancy"

http://hps.org/publicinformation/ate/q1888.html

"The level of exposure from scatter x rays from dental x rays is too low to harm the embryo or fetus at any stage of pregnancy."

http://hps.org/publicinformation/ate/q2118.html

In regards to your other questions, this is a good resource:

http://www.pregnancytoday.com/reference/articles/pregdental.htm

It has information on fillings, the anethestics and x-rays.

Answer 4

Ya I got my cavities filled when I was a couple of weeks pregnant I think I was about 14 weeks im not sure but its ok as long as you dont get xrays or injections for the pain. I did it without pain and it didnt hurt at all. Im now 27 weeks pregnant with a healthy baby girl :]

Answer 5

As long as you are in your first trimester, I would check with your OB. I'm not so sure you should be having any x rays during that time. The first trimester of pregnancy is a crucial time and you wouldn't want anything to jeopardize that. I would call and ask your OB before going with what the dentist said.

Answer 6

I had xrays done and 3 teeth taken out by numbing my mouth with the injection while i was 35 weeks pregnant and me and baby are fine. Due Sept 08th.

Answer 7

I don't see why not. Here in the UK all dental treatment is free whilst you are pregnant and for 12 months afterwards. This suggests to me that dental work whilst pregnant is ok - and certainly your teeth take a battering whilst carrying!

Answer 8

as long as your OB is aware of the procedure and your dentist knows you are pregnant...there should be no problem at all. your dentist will avoid any procedures that would affect your baby negatively. if you're concerned about it though, call your OB's office and ask the nurse if the procedure is ok during your first trimester. she should be able to help you out with no problem! it's never bad to ask!

Answer 9

They will make you wear a vest during the x-ray, and you should mention it several times so that they give you pregnancy safe drugs while doing your dental work.

Answer 10

You SHOULD see a dentist when you are pregnant as your general health can affect the baby. the Dr knows about x-rays and will sheild the baby if they are needed.