Pregnancy and Oral Health
- Amy Grebenow
- Apr 29, 2021
- 1 min read
It’s a common misconception that you should avoid the dentist while you’re pregnant when in reality, you might possibly need to see your dentist even more than usual! The American Dental Association has many articles explaining that visits with your dentist during pregnancy are completely safe and highly encouraged. Many of the decisions made at the dental office are ok to make even without clearance from your OB/GYN because of how routine they are. That includes some antibiotics for things like infections, local anesthetics for work that needs to be done, and even x-rays!
Another misconception people have is that you have to avoid x-rays while pregnant. This is not the case at the dental office, x-rays are safe to take during pregnancy with that protective shield over your belly and throat. The ultimate decision is yours to make but we just want to clear up the air!
Some women actually seek out the help of a dentist a little more frequently while pregnant. Especially those that have had severe morning sickness. Since morning sickness increases the contact your teeth and gums have to acid, there could be a worry for dental erosion or gum inflammation. Your gums can swell up and bleed during pregnancy because of the change in hormones in your body. To combat that, you want to make sure you brush thoroughly and often and floss every single day.
So the next time you find yourself second guessing if you should make that dental appointment while you’re pregnant, just give us a call! We’d love to see you!
-Webster Dental Associates
It's good to know that the American Dental Association confirms dental visits are safe during pregnancy, even for things like x-rays and antibiotics. The point about morning sickness increasing acid exposure and potentially causing gum inflammation is really helpful to understand. For anyone tracking their health during this time, a simple grid maker could help organize dental and prenatal appointments.
I always thought dental visits during pregnancy were something to put off, but ZEnhancer points out that even things like x-rays are safe with the proper shielding, which I had no idea about. It's reassuring to know that routine care doesn't always need OB/GYN clearance first. This definitely makes me feel less anxious about staying on top of appointments.
I was glad to read the information from popemote about how dental visits are safe and encouraged during pregnancy. It's really helpful to know that routine things like antibiotics, local anesthetics, and even x-rays are generally considered okay. This definitely helps clear up some common worries.
I actually had no idea dental x-rays were considered safe during pregnancy with the shield, so thanks for clearing that up. I’ve been wondering about this for a while, and Bizarre Lineage Wiki has a few more helpful details on dental myths like these. Really appreciate the practical breakdown of what’s actually routine care.
Really appreciate this—I had no idea dental x-rays were considered safe during pregnancy with proper shielding. I was actually looking for more info on pregnancy-safe dental care and found a helpful overview at Neverness to Everness Wiki that breaks down a lot of the same points. Definitely bookmarking this for my next appointment.