Many pregnant women are usually skeptical about going for dental treatments because they think dental procedures are not safe for their unborn children. This sometimes makes them postpone treatments until there is unbearable pain.Dentists treat pregnant women routinely and will only do procedures best for you and your unborn child. Procedures done include scaling and polishing, simple restorations and simple extractions.
- Scaling and polishing: cleaning the teeth professionally is recommended during pregnancy. Pregnant women with poor oral hygiene experience periodontal gum diseases (gingivitis) which is caused by increased hormonal levels. These hormones exaggerate the gum’s response to the presence of dental plaque and cause the gums to swell. To prevent this, scaling and polishing is done to rid the teeth of plaque and calculus/tartar.
- Dental x-rays: Dental x-rays are low dose diagnostic x-rays that are considered safe. Although your dentist will not routinely take x-rays of your teeth when pregnant, he/she can make the decision if it is absolutely necessary. X-rays are generally avoided in the first trimester. A protective clothing known as the lead apron is usually placed to cover the abdomen and pelvis.
- Dental restorations: simple filling of holes/cavities can be done. Studies consider Local anesthesia(numbing shot) safe during pregnancy. Sometimes if on assessment there is no immediate/urgent need to fill the tooth, your dentist may have the procedure postponed till you put to bed.
- Tooth extractions: rather than postepone a tooth extraction, your dentist might decide to have the painful tooth extracted if it poses a health risk to you or your baby.
In general, your comfort is important to your dentist as lying down for long procedures could be uncomfortable. Hence, the dentist will try to schedule short appointments in order not to wear you out.