Cavities and Breastfeeding

[AllisonK]

I did a search but did not find much after reading 6 pages.

I have a really bad cavity in my front bottom tooth. I have had it for ages and have either never had dental, or been pg and unable to go when I had dental. I will have dental only for a few more months and want to get this taken care of now.

So here are my questions:
Can I get this done while breastfeeding?
What types of pain meds are okay while BFing?
Is there a certain type of filling I need to ask for?
I am terrified of the dentist so this is really bad for me to even want to go, what kind of questions can I ask when finding a dentist to make sure this one will be a good one?

Thanks so much
Allison

[boongirl]

Is there a lactation consultant you can ask? Perhaps your ob or midwife would know? Or ask the ped. You might consider pumping a lot in advance and then pumping and dumping the day of the cavity filling. You could just take the pain meds that day and then you would not have to worry about it. You could give your babe a bottle of breastmilk.

[LynnS6]

Yes, you can get this done while bfing. I've had some pretty extensive work done. Just ask them not to use the mercury fillings.

Lots of pain meds are OK. I just had a TERRIBLE bout with strep throat and was giving tylenol with codeine. If you get that, get help in the house, because it knocks me out! I was given Vicodin after my c-section.

I'd see if you can get a recommendation from someone for a dentist. personal referal is always my first choice.

But don't delay!!

[SleeplessMommy]

Just tell them you are breast feeding and demand NO AMALGAM (50% mercury, almost 50% silver with a little pinch of tin thrown in). Also, with the amalgam the hole needs to be "undercut", so more tooth than necessary is removed.

Ask for a composite filling. Even demand it! Alternatives to composite (if the filling is huge, for example) would be a ceramic filling ($$$) or a lab-cured composite. The dentist may tell you that composite will only last 5 years. Tell him/her that you want it anyway. (They can last well over 5 years for many people)

If you are really stressed out about this, you can ask for the nitrous oxide. You will feel just fine!