Dental health care is essential during all stages of life, even during pregnancy. Expecting mothers confront many unique oral health risks like morning sickness, pregnancy gingivitis, enamel erosion, et cetera. These are issues dentists help pregnant women manage comfortably.

However, many pregnant women believe caring for their teeth and gums is unnecessary during their exciting pregnancy without realizing why it is essential to maintain oral health even when expecting.

Women must overcome their fear of the dentist or dental anesthesia, which becomes essential for minor and significant procedures. Dentists do not provide dental anesthesia during exams and cleanings and inquire about the patient’s current status before recommending anesthesia for any procedures.

Importance of Maintaining Oral Health during Pregnancy

We have already mentioned the complications women can confront during pregnancy because of morning sickness, enamel erosion from throwing up frequently, craving and eating sugary and sweetened foods, making them vulnerable to tooth decay, and pregnancy gingivitis. Therefore expecting mothers must care for their oral health by maintaining it in optimal condition. While expecting moms will not prevent morning sickness and throwing up, their dentist can undoubtedly help them avoid severe infections that will need dental anesthesia and invasive procedures to treat. Therefore expecting moms must schedule dental visits during their term of pregnancy to maintain their oral health.

Is It Safe to Visit the Dentist?

Routine dental visits are entirely safe because no anesthesia is involved during dental exams and cleanings near me, unlike other processes that might require drilling and other invasive therapies.

Dental prophylaxis gets pregnant women a dental cleaning that helps avoid issues like pregnancy gingivitis aggravating into advanced periodontitis if it is left untreated by neglecting dental visits. Dentists also take x-rays of the mouth of pregnant women to identify signs of cavities and will offer conservative treatments after considering the delicate situation. Therefore visiting a dentist during pregnancy for routine exams and cleanings is also safe by most standards.

Is Dental Anesthesia Safe during Pregnancy?

The American Dental Association states on its website that preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic treatments are safe during pregnancy. It includes getting dental fillings and crowns, if necessary, that require dental anesthesia. In addition, the association prohibits elective procedures like teeth whitening and aesthetic dentistry processes like dental veneers or getting dental implants to replace missing teeth until after the baby’s birth.

The use of dental anesthesia is considered safe during pregnancy. Therefore, dentists do not use any anesthetics that might affect the fetus requesting prior information about the pregnancy of patients visiting them.

Most dentists complete minor and significant procedures using local anesthesia and numbing medication in the mouth to ensure numbness before injecting the anesthetic. Therefore pregnant women can safely receive local anesthesia if they need treatments for dental cavities, excessive tooth decay requiring the restructuring of the tooth to place dental crowns, et cetera. However, dentists will not offer sedation to calm anxiety unless they discuss the situation with the patient’s obstetrician. They will proceed with treatments only after debating the therapy with the patient by safeguarding their oral health and that of the baby.

What Are the Most Common Dental Procedures for Pregnant Women?

Pregnant women can harm their dental and overall health by neglecting dental visits merely by worrying is dental anesthesia safe during pregnancy. In reality, many pregnant women may not require dental anesthesia if they maintain their dental health in optimal condition.

As mentioned earlier, pregnant women may require scaling and root planing if they do not care for pregnancy gingivitis early because the condition silently aggravates, making the procedure necessary. In addition, pregnant women with untreated tooth decay may require root canals, dental fillings, crowns, et cetera.

Pregnant women can consider avoiding dental treatments during pregnancy in the first trimester, except for dental prophylaxis. However, if expecting moms need the above-mentioned restorative remedies, they can receive the treatment necessary in the second trimester. However, if women maintain regular contact with the dentist in Watsonville, the professional help expecting moms eliminate problems that can make their appearance felt later during pregnancy.

Dental anesthesia required for most dental procedures is safe for pregnant women and will not affect their fetuses. However, dentists will not provide sedation or intravenous anesthesia because the drugs can affect the fetus by requesting pregnant women to delay treatment until after the baby’s birth.

Expecting moms fearing dental visits help themselves remain safe and comfortable by seeking necessary dental treatments from Watsonville Family Dental during pregnancy. The dental practice cares for the expecting women and their unborn fetus when providing dental treatments needing anesthesia by working with their primary health care provider to ensure comfort and safety.