Dental Work During Pregnancy?

[I Need Coffee]

About a year ago, part of one of my teeth fell out. It was a tooth in the very back, and it did not hurt, so I never got the rest of it pulled out by a dentist. (Stupid I know).

Now, I am 14 weeks pregnant, and for a couple days now it has really been hurting and the gum above it is swollen. Is getting dental work done going to harm my baby? What should I avoid when I go? I don't want to do/not do anything that will hurt my baby.

Thanks so much.

[WifeofAnt]

Its probably better to go and get the dental work now than wait and have it get infected or something.  Just make sure to tell the dentist that you're pregnant.

[bella99]

I'd get it looked at.

Infections in the mouth can be more harmful for a fetus than other infections, since they can enter the bloodstream more easily.  That likely won't happen, but worth it to have the dentist take a look.

With my first pregnancy (which ended in m/c), I had to go to the dentist because a simple piece of stuck food between two teeth caused my gums to swell like a balloon.  My dentist said at the time that it's not unusual for minor dental issues to become more noticeable or painful during pregnancy.  Our bodies do weird things when pregnant.

[lillymonster]

yes, get it looked at. I might be something as simple as irritation causing it to swell, but if it's an infection, better to get it under control now.

[pugmomma]

I'd get it looked at by a dentist. My doctor wouldn't let me have my cavities filled until the second tri, but then it was fine.

[sonshine_rae]

Definitely have it checked out and mention your pregnant.  Also keep in mind that an infection CAN cause preterm labor.. so be sure to get it taken care of properly IF there is an infection!

X/rays and some 'drugs' may be harmful, but most things done locally should be safe.

[taramoon13]

i just had some major dental work done. i checked with my ob as far as the medications that the dentist used before i had the work done and he said no prob. he also said that since i was about halfway through that was a good time to get work done since the baby is well developed but not too close to being born. i agree with pp's with the fact that when you are preg. you are more prone to having dental problems, so it's better to get it taken care of now. also, once have your baby who knows when you will get around to getting dental work done!!!!

[stormgirl]

I got scores of cavities filled in my 2bd trinester.  They used a lower strength numbing agent due to the pregnancy, but otherwise, it was great to just get it all taken care of....  I have health insurance which only covers me while I have a baby inside, so 2nd trimester is the safest time to get stuff done, and I knew if I put it off, who knows when I would gather up the funds and/or time!

[Hope4six]

I Need Coffee, your dentist should know what is safe for you and what is not.  They deal with pregnant women all the time.  I just had two cavities filled a few weeks ago.  I asked to not be numbed, and my dentist assured me that the numbing agent was perfectly safe during pregnancy.  But I tend to overreact to those drugs, which is far more of a pain than the temporary pain of a little drilling.:)

I do think that you could possibly put your baby at more risk by *not* getting the tooth looked at.  not to mention that pregnancy is often miserable enough, without adding the misery of toothache on top of it.