Dental Procedures for Expectant Moms
by Marjorie Greenfield, M.D.
The general rule for dental care in pregnancy is: If it improves your health, it's probably good for the baby as well. Obviously, common sense dictates that elective or routine procedures that might pose a risk to the baby should be delayed until after birth. But many tests and operations are best accomplished at the time they're recommended.
X-rays
Dentists rely on X-rays to determine the health of your teeth and jaw. If you report a problem or troubling symptoms, your dentist might have to use X-rays to make a diagnosis and plan your treatment. If not doing so poses a risk to your health, have the testing done; the risk of dental X-rays is minimal, since your uterus is shielded with a lead apron. The actual amount of radiation that scatters from the machine and passes through the lead apron to your uterus is negligible. Also, X-raying a breastfeeding mother won't affect the health of the nursing baby.
Silver and gold
The same procedures for treating cavities in nonpregnant women apply to expectant mothers. If anesthesia is called for, a local injection of novocaine or lidocaine is probably your best bet--be sure to check with your obstetrician first. (Inhaled or intravenous anesthetics increase the odds of your suffering a miscarriage in the first trimester.)
Tooth extraction and root canals
If you're in significant pain and the dentist deems it necessary, you can undergo tooth extraction or root canal procedures. Again, experts recommend local anesthesia if possible.
