There are many things that women should avoid doing while pregnant, but visiting the dentist is not one of them! In fact, the hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy can actually lead to gingivitis, which results in red, swollen, or tender gums. It’s important to have a dentist take a look at your teeth and gums, especially if you notice a change in how they look or feel, to prevent any major or permanent changes from occurring.
What About X-Rays?
In the past, it was recommended that women avoid having dental X-rays done during pregnancy due to the radiation that was emitted while the scans were being taken. Fortunately, modern digital X-rays emit up to 80 percent less radiation than the X-ray machines of the past, making them even safer to use, even during pregnancy. However, if you only need X-rays taken as part of your routine visit and not for a necessary restorative treatment, we can postpone them if that would make you feel more comfortable.
Restorative Treatments Okay
Should you need a restorative dental treatment performed during pregnancy, it’s typically better to have it taken care of sooner rather than later whenever possible. Infections especially, need to be taken care of right away before they lead to more serious issues. Pregnancy can cause the teeth to become weaker as the baby absorbs more calcium, so should you crack or break a tooth, we will want to see you for an emergency appointment to prevent harmful bacteria from making its way inside the tooth.
Consider Postponing Cosmetic Treatments
If you would like to schedule a cosmetic treatment like teeth whitening or Invisalign, we may advise you to wait until after the baby is born. This is simply because we want to remain focused on providing you with high-quality preventive and/or restorative dental care during this time. If there is a treatment that you want or need, please feel free to ask, and our team can discuss the treatment with you and any potential risks that could be associated.
Your Oral Health Is Our Priority!
We always want our patients to maintain optimal oral health, so the best thing patients can do is come in for regular appointments and be open and honest with our team, and we will always do our best to provide you with the safest and most effective care possible.
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