[2boyzmama]

Okay ladies, here's a weird one for you.

My dentist called yesterday to remind me that my 6 month appt is tomorrow. I mentioned to the receptionist that I also needed to schedule a filling, I had it scheduled for January, but found out a week before the appt that I was pregnant, and knowing that you should avoid dental work in your first trimester if possible, I cancelled it.

She said "oh, you're pregnant?" To which I said "yes, but I'm out of my first trimester now, so I should be okay." She said that I have to have my OB fax a letter to the dentist saying exactly what can and can't be done. I told her that sounded odd to me, that I had had dental cleanings with both my previous pregnancies, and that as long as it's not the first tri, it's not a problem. She said "well, just have your OB say that, and you're good to go."

So...I call my OB. The nurse calls me back and says that the Dr wrote that "all routine dental should be postponed until the post partum period. If an acute issue arises, have the patient call back to discuss precautions that need to be taken."

???? I can't have a CLEANING? I can't get a FILLING? I've never heard of this!! Have any of you??

I see the OB on Monday, so I plan to ask him in person why he's being so strict, everything I've read says that it should be fine, in fact many books and webpages say that every pregnant woman NEEDS to see the dentist because dental issues can cause pregnancy complications if not treated quickly. So what's up?

 

[Julia24]

fascinating - I've never heard about that and I"m due for a cleaning too. Let me call my ob and see what they say.

hmph!

 

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

That is odd

: I had a tooth pulled in my second trimester with ds with local and it wasnt a problem.

They also did a x ray on that tooth to make sure it couldnt be saved.

 

[StrongFeather]

I am interested in this as well..I need a filling and it's been put off since Jan as well! Hmm, I'll call my dentist and see what they say. I am hesitant since my gum have been bleeding as of late even when I just brush!

 

[2boyzmama]

Yeah, I am interested in what all your OBs and dentists say about it.

I was active duty military with my last two pregnancies, and was due for my annual dental exam in my first trimester. They did a visual "inspection" then had me come back during my second trimester for a cleaning. They skipped the xrays of course (but did tell me that with the lead cover it would be safe, but I still declined).

Hmm...

 

[dosergirl]

i am putting off the dentist and i have like 3 cavities because i was told i couldn't have anything done til after baby.

 

[pumpkin]

Not in your DDC but dealt with this recently. My tooth came partially loose the same day I found out I was pregnant. The only reason I was able to have a root canal was because I had a raging infection. My GP and OB both initially refused to sign off on the work until I pointed out that I had to take antibiotics for the infection and I certainly couldn't do that for 9 months. The veneer fell off that tooth a few weeks later and I could only have it patched instead of getting the full cap that it will eventually need so I just have to chew carefully. I need work done on the adjacent teeth as well, but that needed to wait because it wasn't acute. The baby is now 4 weeks old so I'm in the clear to go to the dentist, but I must admit that I'm putting it off until we get breastfeeding working a bit better.

 

[Masel]

I had a cleaning when I was a few weeks along. I told them I was pregnant and the dentist and staff where very enthused about making sure I knew to be especially careful about dental health. Nothing was said about contacting my OB. The cleaning went on as planned.

I think getting your teeth cleaned is much more important than the dentist's liability fears.

 

[2boyzmama]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Masel I think getting your teeth cleaned is much more important than the dentist's liability fears.

Well, I can't do it now, their policy. I suppose I could go find a different dentist that accepts my insurance and won't require a letter from the OB...if one exists!

But first I'm going to talk to my OB on Monday during my appt and ask why he thinks a cleaning should wait. It just seems so odd to me...

 

[octobermoon]

well i had a cleaning and check up but no X-rays and i think it was first trimester. seems the jury is out on dental work, some say yay and some say nay....

surprised!!!??

 

[cristeen]

This is a matter to discuss with your OB, not your dentist. Do you have a history of heart problems?

Many dentists require a note from the OB during pregnancy for liability reasons. When I worked in a BC, we had a form letter for this purpose. But the MW still had to review the patient's chart before I could send it out. The concern is endocarditis, which is essentially an infection of the heart, which is caused by the introduction of bacteria to the bloodstream during an "invasive" procedure, and any procedure that has the ability to cause bleeding counts as "invasive" in this case. It is particularly risky during pregnancy. If you have no history of heart problems (defects, disease, arrythmia, etc.), then usually the OB will sign off on it. However, if you do have a history of heart problems, then the OB will usually advise waiting until PP.

OP - if you don't have a history of heart problems, then I'd definitely call the doctor's office back and ask WTH is going on. Either way, they should have discussed their reasons with you if they were going to not sign-off on it so that you weren't surprised.

 

[IamCoupongirl]

due date crashing...i just had dd3 in January and I went to my cleaning as usual in November. Had a normal cleaning, no xrays. Dentist was not surprised/upset. (Am I the only one thinking "poor Mrs Duggar must have some rotten teeth by now if her dentist has this rule"?)

 

[Julia24]

funny, Iamcoupongirl!

 

[Lisa1970]

I think she meant you can have a cleaning but not a filling. I am in the same situation. I needed a root canal before finding out I am pregnant. Now it is being put off. Unless it gets really bad, I won't be having it. They asked for a doctors note too. I still can have the cleaning. You should call and clarify about the cleaning part. Good luck!

 

[2boyzmama]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cristeen This is a matter to discuss with your OB, not your dentist. Do you have a history of heart problems? Many dentists require a note from the OB during pregnancy for liability reasons. When I worked in a BC, we had a form letter for this purpose. But the MW still had to review the patient's chart before I could send it out. The concern is endocarditis, which is essentially an infection of the heart, which is caused by the introduction of bacteria to the bloodstream during an "invasive" procedure, and any procedure that has the ability to cause bleeding counts as "invasive" in this case. It is particularly risky during pregnancy. If you have no history of heart problems (defects, disease, arrythmia, etc.), then usually the OB will sign off on it. However, if you do have a history of heart problems, then the OB will usually advise waiting until PP. OP - if you don't have a history of heart problems, then I'd definitely call the doctor's office back and ask WTH is going on. Either way, they should have discussed their reasons with you if they were going to not sign-off on it so that you weren't surprised.

Nope, no heart issues. I know endocarditis is a potential concern, which is why I put off the filling in my first trimester. But I thought in second tri it's okay. I'll ask on Monday for sure.

Quote:

Originally Posted by IamCoupongirl due date crashing...i just had dd3 in January and I went to my cleaning as usual in November. Had a normal cleaning, no xrays. Dentist was not surprised/upset. (Am I the only one thinking "poor Mrs Duggar must have some rotten teeth by now if her dentist has this rule"?)

Good one!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lisa1970 I think she meant you can have a cleaning but not a filling. I am in the same situation. I needed a root canal before finding out I am pregnant. Now it is being put off. Unless it gets really bad, I won't be having it. They asked for a doctors note too. I still can have the cleaning. You should call and clarify about the cleaning part. Good luck!

No, the words from the OB were "no routine dental work until the post partum period. If an acute issue arises, have the patient call back for specific precautions to be taken." Even the nurse at the OBs office was somewhat surprised, she also thought a cleaning was fine, wasn't sure about the filling, and was surprised to see him say no to both.

 

[kismetbaby]

I had heard that it was important to keep up your cleanings in pg b/c dental issues can get worse during pg (just one of the joys!

). I have an appt in May, didn't even tell them I was pg, just figured I'd tell them when I got there that I couldn't have xrays (well, and it should be obvious by then).

Some medical professionals are more touchy about liability issues than others. I certainly hope to get my cleaning! I have already noticed more bleeding when I floss. . .

 

[MichelleAnnette]

Why won't they do a cleaning??? I had a cleaning done at 14 weeks. No x-rays but I try to decline those anyway. They found a small cavity and they scheduled me for 2 months after my due date. I don't know why it would be bad to get a filling while pregnant, assuming it's not mercury of course, which most are not nowadays. I wanted to just wait. He said they could do it but it's so small that it's no problem for me to just wait, so that's what I doing. If it was bad, they would do it.

I would definitely either get your OB to say it's okay or find a new dentist.

 

[guestmama9922]

that's rubbish. It's important to keep up with your dental hygiene when you are pregnant!
here in the UK all pregnant women are given free dental care during and after pregnancy.
TBH, it's just more of the US and their liability issues.

 

[tati2009]

i have serious gum problems and in the last two years i've had a number of surgeries. becuase of that I go for routine dental cleanings every 3 months alternating between my dentist and my periodontist.

in my ist trimester I went for my cleaning at my periodontist... he did all that he ususally does and just warned me that because of my history my gums could deteriorate while prego. and that he wanted to see me right after giving birht to make sure all was ok.

I have an other cleaning scheduled with my reg dentist in june... I guess I better call him to make sure this is ok with him. I hope so. the cleanings have helped a ton in keping my gums in check.

good luck to you all... I had no idea this was an issue while prego

 

[ilovejeff]

I went for a cleaning at 7 or 8 weeks. They didn't do xrays (mw said it would have been ok with the lead apron, but the dentist's policy is to not do them) but otherwise, did a full cleaning. I go regularly every 6 months.

On the topic of bleeding gums: my dentist said that many pregnant women have bleeding gums at some point in their pregnancy. He said not to be surprised, it's normal.