Help! Major dental work and pregnant

[floiejo2]

So I just found out very unexpectedly that I'm pregnant. I'm only about 4 weeks but here's the bad part. I have 3 very bad teeth. 2 of which need crowns and the third is a big filling. I'm having major pain with all of these problems and had an appointment to get all this done. Then started having some weird symptoms and ended up finding out just a few days ago that I'm pregnant. So what can I do?? Is there anything that is safe to have done during pregnancy? I can't do nothing because I will most likely lose my teeth and like I said am having pain with these issues. Please someone tell me what the best thing to do is!!

[tessie]

I would discuss it with your dentist.

Personally I would have the treatment, firstly because I would not want to be in pain and secondly because serious gum disease (which is likely if you leave the teeth untreated) may be linked to premature birth.

[zulupetalz]

I would see if there is a holistic dentist in your area. Someone who will take the proper precautions in removing the amalgam. It has been my experience that most mainstream dentists tell you that it is "fine" to have it done while pregnant/nursing. Optimally, if the removal is done safely, you will not have any exposure to the mercury. There is still a risk, though. http://www.holisticdental.org/

If your teeth are in a bad state now, I would have the work done. You are much more prone to infection during pregnancy.

[lindberg99]

I had a crown put in when I was pregnant. The dentist used novacaine, which is safe to use in pregnancy. I wouldn't use nitrous or anything besides a local anesthetic.

You definitely should get it done. Isn't there some connection between teeth problems during pregnancy and preterm labor? Or am I just imagining that?

[zulupetalz]

Originally Posted by lindberg99

I had a crown put in when I was pregnant. The dentist used novacaine, which is safe to use in pregnancy. I wouldn't use nitrous or anything besides a local anesthetic.

You definitely should get it done. Isn't there some connection between teeth problems during pregnancy and preterm labor? Or am I just imagining that?

You're totally right, untreated infection can cause preterm labor.