What Should I Do if My Tooth Gets Extracted During Pregnancy?
A lot of people dislike or are afraid of visiting their dentists. Unfortunately, circumstances might force you to see an emergency dentist near you sooner than expected. Even though some dental emergencies can be prevented, an accident or undiagnosed dental problem may force you to undergo emergency tooth extraction near you. But what if you are pregnant? Is it still safe to undergo treatment? We have prepared this article to dive in on the topic and provide guidelines that may help you when you need to undergo tooth extraction while pregnant.
Why Regular Dental Care Is Important During Pregnancy
We get it. Pregnancy comes with a few challenges that may make things you’d normally do seem more difficult. For example, your back and feet may hurt, your gums may be more sensitive, and the scent and flavor of mouth-cleaning products may make you feel like vomiting…these are just a few examples we could come up with at the moment.
Nonetheless, pregnancy shouldn’t completely deter you from practicing good dental hygiene. Regular dental cleaning at the dentist’s office and brushing and flossing at home should be manageable. Not brushing your teeth during pregnancy may lead to future dental problems that may be expensive and difficult to treat.
Actually, chances of getting cavities and gingivitis are higher during pregnancy. This is a period when hormones change, making you susceptible to gum inflammation and swelling. There’s also the issue of morning sickness which introduces more bacteria to your mouth and makes it unpleasant to brush and floss your teeth due to nausea and gag reflex.
You also can’t wait until you give birth; nine months is too long to stay without brushing your teeth. The National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center recommend regular dental care since they believe cavity-causing bacteria can be passed down to your baby.
Is It Safe to Have the Tooth Extracted?
Basic dental hygiene is safe during pregnancy but what about other common dental procedures like dental extraction? In the past, many pregnant women put off the idea of undergoing any dental procedure during pregnancy, fearing the baby would be affected. And although some medical operations might be considered unsafe during pregnancy, tooth extraction isn’t one of them. So if you are suffering from prolonged dental pain and discomfort, don’t wait for months before going for dental extraction near you.
Is It Safe to Have Anesthesia During Your Tooth Extraction?
Tooth extraction does not just mean pulling the tooth out. It involves a series of steps that include the use of x-rays, painkillers, and anesthesia. So is it safe to use anesthesia during tooth extraction? First of all, not all anesthesia is safe for use among pregnant patients. Tooth removal uses local anesthesia, which is safe since it’s directly injected into a specific area and doesn’t travel through your bloodstream.
What to Do Before/ After Undergoing Tooth Extraction When Pregnant
It’s important to plan ahead before going to see an emergency dentist in Clearwater for a tooth removal. Here are a few factors to consider:
Inform Your Dentist of Your Pregnancy
Your pregnancy may not be visible, especially if it’s still early. It’s, therefore, best to inform your dentist before treatment so they can recommend the best treatment. Your dentist will do all they can to make treatment as comfortable as possible.
Consider Your Pregnancy Stage
Pregnancy occurs in stages. While you can still get dental extraction during any of the said stages, we highly recommend undergoing tooth removal during your second trimester, not unless in severe pain.
First Trimester: The first stage is the most crucial phase, as this is when the baby is starting to develop. The reason why we don’t recommend tooth removal in the first trimester is not that it would be unsafe but rather due to the fact that the mom is overly sensitive and irritable. This is the stage where morning sickness and nausea are at their peak, which would make tooth removal a bit uncomfortable.
Second Trimester: This is what we consider the most comfortable stage for a tooth removal. At this stage, your baby’s organs would have developed, but we’ll still put measures to ensure safety during the procedure. Inform your dentist immediately if you experience dizziness or lose consciousness during treatment.
Third Trimester: The third trimester may be the most uncomfortable to undergo any dental procedure. Since you’d be heavily pregnant, sitting on the dental chair for too long while maintaining the same posture can be very difficult, uncomfortable, and stressful.
Take Prescribed Medication
After tooth extraction, your dentist will prescribe you medication to ease pain and reduce the risks of infection. Make sure to use the prescribed ones and within the recommended dosage to ensure the baby’s safety.
Pros of Undergoing Tooth Extraction
Tooth extraction has numerous benefits. A few examples include:
- Reduces risk of infection
- Protects healthy gums from gum disease
- Alleviates severe dental pain
Conclusion
Tooth extraction is a common dental procedure that helps alleviates dental pain. It has also been proven safe for pregnant women. So don’t wait for your symptoms to worsen before going for treatment. Visit Dental Arts Clearwater for consultation and treatment. Dr. Cecilia Sorelle, DDS, will answer any questions concerning treatment and aftercare.
