[mkmoro311]

I am 2 months pregnant and need a root canal bad! I am in a lot of pain and taking homeopathics to help with the pain. Can anyone give me any feedback on their personal experiences with this situation? I'm on the fence about having it or waiting!

 

[gcgirl]

Ouch! I'm sorry you're having tooth problems.<br><br>
I don't have any useful info here; I just wanted to express my sympathy. Tooth pain is awful.<br><br>
Here's an article that outlines the risks and benefits:<br><a href="http://www.dentalfind.com/Root_Canal_During_Pregnancy/" target="_blank">http://www.dentalfind.com/Root_Canal_During_Pregnancy/</a><br><br>
I know if you have a bad tooth infection, it can spread to other parts of the face, so I imagine whether you need to have it done now depends on how much pain you can stand and how bad the infection is.

 

[gwynthfair]

If I were you I would not go to a conventional dentist. I would go to a holistic and mercury-free dentist, or I would wait, but I'm not sure doing during nursing would be much safer.

 

[sugarmoon]

My vote is for don't wait -- I waited, b/c my tooth was broken but not painful, and I ended up in extreme amounts of pain and getting an emergency root-canal when my ds was 10 days old.<br><br>
If you are only 2 mos along now, and in a lot of pain, I don't think it makes any sense to wait 7 more months -- I don't know about you, but I had trouble eating and drinking (b/c of the pain) which was interferring with my milk supply for nursing. It seems like the good nutrition during pg would trump one procedure.<br><br>
Talk to your dentist -- there are several stages of a root canal -- maybe you could just get the tooth drilled out and "prepped" for the filling, and wait til after the baby is born to fill it? Or you could do the prep and hte filling, but not have it filed down for the crown until after the baby? Do as much as you are comfortable with, but don't be in pain for 7 months!<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/greensad.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="greensad">

 

[MoonStarFalling]

I had one with DS. Also had several cavities filled and had 2 abscessed wisdom teeth which the dentist wouldn't touch until after pg. Wasn't keen on having all the xrays and such. I wouldn't do it again, I would wait. In fact I would never have another root canal done period. You can knock out the infection with herbs (or whatever you choose) and then keep it away with a healthy diet IME.

 

[momto l&a]

I had a broken tooth. I waited till dd #3 was old enough she could do without me a few hours.<br><br>
I had the tooth pulled as I dont think root canals are healthy.<br><br>
I have another broken tooth. Got it when I was about 18 weeks preggo or so. I am now 38 weeks. I will wait till it causes pain OR the new baby is old enough to be with out me a few hours.

 

[hellen]

I had one with this current pregnancy. I knew I needed one and there is no waiting with a cavity that size. I had already waited too long which is why I had the root canal. I can't say for certain that the baby didn't suffer any harm. I did do research and they are relatively safe. I chose to not take the antibiotics or pain killers afterwards even though my midwife thought I should.<br><br>
Good luck making your decision.