Is it possible to treat teeth during pregnancy: at what period is treatment possible, is anesthesia acceptable? Is it possible to treat teeth for pregnant women? What harm does anesthesia cause?

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Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

Pregnancy can be compared to a novel, only each one has its own plot. Some have toxicosis from beginning to end, or drowsiness, like a bear in winter, while others lose a tooth one after another or, even worse, suffer from a wild toothache in the midst of expecting a child. Dental problems are quite a serious and unpleasant problem during pregnancy. How to understand whether it is possible to treat teeth during pregnancy, whether it is necessary to treat teeth during pregnancy, everything in order with the help of specialists.

Treat or Not treat…

Carrying a child involves a number of serious changes in a woman’s body, including hormonal and metabolic ones, which change everything. Therefore, you can hear from some ladies that during each pregnancy a sacrifice was made in the form of a lost tooth. Why go to such lengths if you can foresee everything, which is what our conversation will be about next.

According to statistics from American scientists, it has been proven that dental problems increase the risk of having children born prematurely or with intrauterine physical growth retardation.

It is ideal when a woman’s pregnancy is planned, and she can prepare herself for pregnancy in advance by going through all the specialists in advance: ENT doctor, surgeon, therapist, etc. Planned preparation also includes a trip to the dentist; he will find the source of infection and carry out sanitation, thereby preventing possible danger.

How scary sick tooth

A bad tooth can not only cause terrible pain, but also become a source of bacterial growth. This fact may cause:

• sore throat;
• tonsillitis;
• pharyngitis;
• pathologies of the skeletal system (osteomyelitis);
• gastrointestinal diseases (gastritis, ulcers, etc.);
• heart diseases (myocarditis, pericarditis, etc.);
• pathologies of the genitourinary system (pyelonephritis, cystitis, etc.).

Tell him that it is not possible for one tooth to create so many serious problems. Maybe, dear ladies, if a woman also has chronic diseases that periodically make themselves felt. In this case, dental problems are a trigger for their exacerbation. Therefore, the best option, of course, is a planned pregnancy.

Is it possible to remove, fill, whiten, insert, or replace teeth during pregnancy? Convenient table for pregnant women

But happiness sometimes “comes” unexpectedly and all plans can be radically changed. What to do and is it possible to treat teeth for pregnant women if they did not have time to visit their dentist before pregnancy? Which procedures can be done and which should be avoided? Read and memorize.

So, based on all the above pros and cons, it is worth paying attention to each aspect.

When can you treat

When a toothache strikes you by surprise, you should immediately consult a dentist. There is no need to sacrifice yourself, claiming: I will endure everything for the sake of my child. This is, of course, commendable, but today such feats are, at least, not rational and not justified.

Problem #1

Caries is a dangerous disease that can lead to various diseases and create difficulties during pregnancy, and in some cases even lead to termination of pregnancy. At first glance, it seems like what will happen from a small hole in a tooth, but this is a mistaken opinion. This defect is an excellent place for the proliferation of streptococcal and staphylococcal bacteria, which spread through the bloodstream throughout the woman’s body. What caries can lead to:

Pulpitis (root canal damage) Gingivitis bleeding and looseness of gums Parandatosis complete or partial loss of a tooth.

This transition from one form to another during pregnancy occurs faster, since the composition of saliva changes due to physiological and biochemical changes. Therefore, leaving caries unattended is dangerous. Many mothers ask when is the best time to treat teeth so as not to harm the unborn baby? My answer: If you notice that a hole has appeared in your tooth, or the tooth reacts to cold or hot, or other pathological changes have appeared, you must immediately contact your dentist!

Which fillings are harmless? for pregnant women s

Photopolymer material is safe today, but there are a number of nuances when it is not possible to install a permanent filling. For example, the interaction of the material with the tissues of the teeth does not allow it to last long. In this case, the doctor decides to place a temporary filling and then a permanent filling after the baby is born. There are cases when, at the time of pregnancy, a woman develops individual intolerance.

First trimester of pregnancy what to do?

Is it possible to treat teeth in the first trimester? During the first 18 weeks, all the organs and systems of the future fetus are formed; if the situation is not so serious and the dentist recommends that you postpone treatment until a later date, then postpone the therapy. Experts say that the best period is the second trimester.

Until what week can teeth be treated?

Are there any restrictions and until what week of pregnancy can teeth be treated? In the event that an emergency arises, a pregnant woman is not left without medical dental care. Toothache can provoke the development of complications and termination of pregnancy, so this fact cannot be ignored. Therefore, the gestation period does not matter in such cases. Of course, with planned therapy, if there are no emergency conditions, such periods are excluded when premature labor is possible or the woman already has such a threat:

Some mothers ask whether pregnant women can have their teeth removed under anesthesia? Removal is recommended at the twenty-seventh week if absolutely necessary. Those. If you are at 25 weeks and your tooth does not hurt but requires removal, but there is no urgency, for example, a decayed tooth or a remainder in the form of a root that does not cause pain and you can wait, then it is removed at 27 weeks or after childbirth. Today, the pharmaceutical industry produces drugs, namely those used in anesthesiology, which do not allow them to affect the development of the unborn baby. If there is an urgent situation to remove a diseased tooth or dental treatment is necessary, the dentist will select the right anesthesia.

Prescribing antibiotics

I have developed purulent pulpitis, can I take antibiotics? If the process has turned into a purulent process, then taking antibiotics is unavoidable, since refusing them can lead to sepsis (blood poisoning). There is no need to worry, as the doctor will select a drug that will not harm the unborn baby, for example ampicillin, erythromycin, spiramycin, etc.

Prohibited antibacterial drugs during pregnancy include:

• tetracycline;
• gentamicin;
• kanamycin;
• norfloxacin, etc.

The use of such antibiotics can lead to fetal developmental abnormalities: malformations of internal organs, aesthetic abnormalities (cleft lip, cleft palate, etc.)

Remember, if you are taking antibiotics, you must take antifungal drugs and drugs that restore intestinal microflora. Only a doctor selects medications! Self-medication can be harmful, especially during pregnancy!

X-ray

To diagnose dental problems, they often resort to x-ray examination, but during pregnancy this method forces many mothers to abandon it, which complicates the treatment process. To do or not to do, that is the question.

Experts say that dental x-rays can only be done if absolutely necessary.

According to the standards of sanitary epidemiological authorities and the Ministry of Health, X-ray examinations during pregnancy are carried out only for clinical indications. Preferably in the second half of pregnancy.

What to do if pregnancy is in the first phase of development, and x-rays are necessary according to indications? Today, X-ray equipment has undergone a number of changes that make it possible to perform examinations even in the first months of pregnancy. In such cases, a localized image is taken with additional protective equipment (a lead apron is put on). Or they use special devices for diagnosing a pathological source that exclude x-ray radiation.

What to do to avoid dental problems

As the grandfather of medicine, Hippocrates, said: “It is easier to prevent a disease than to treat it.” And this is the truth, my dear future mothers. I offer ten recommendations from dentists so that the teeth do not leave one after another a beautiful woman’s mouth while bearing the desired child.

You might be interested in: 12 ways to say no to toxicosis

In conclusion, I would like to note that you have been presented with material that can answer many of your questions. However, do not ignore going to a specialist in a timely manner, since wasted time can deprive you of not only a tooth and a beautiful smile, but can cause many problems. This is most important during pregnancy. Take care of yourself and be healthy!

Tag: is it possible to treat teeth during pregnancy?

The pregnancy period always prepares many unwanted surprises for expectant mothers. Month after month, women's hormonal levels change, mineral reserves are depleted, and their immunity weakens. And these are just a few possible reasons for problems in the oral cavity. But this is not the end of the world, as most pregnant women claim, citing the ban on painkillers. This is just a reason to devote a few free hours to your loved one and your health. Moreover, treating teeth is now a pleasure compared to the level of dentistry 10 years ago. True, pregnant women need an individual approach to dental treatment, but everything is not as scary as it seems. Let's look together for answers to the question: “Are teeth treated during pregnancy?”

For some reason, pregnant women consider visiting the dentist as something superfluous and unimportant. For the entire 9 months, they run around the clinic offices and take many tests for the well-being of their child, and put off taking care of their health until later. What's the end result? Even a small problem that could take 15 minutes to solve at the dentist can lead to tooth extraction and chronic periodontal disease by the end of pregnancy.

A woman should clearly understand that there are three good reasons why she needs to see a doctor:

1. Hormonal changes in the body contribute to pathological processes in the oral cavity.
2. A lack of calcium, especially in the 2nd and 3rd trimester, can easily destroy even the healthiest teeth. Modern dental technologies help many women in this situation to keep their teeth in excellent condition.
3. During pregnancy, the properties of saliva change: it loses its disinfecting abilities, and pathogenic microbes begin to multiply in the mouth. Also, the pH level of saliva changes and the enamel is destroyed.

Advice! Don’t consider bad teeth during pregnancy to be a small problem that will resolve itself. It is better to do a preventive examination rather than get lost in guesswork and worries. Contact only specialists who have experience in treating teeth for pregnant women. Will they know when, how and with what treatment can be carried out?

Is it possible to treat teeth during pregnancy?

Many women, when going to the dentist, ask the same question: “Are teeth treated during pregnancy?” Everyone would like to hear the word “no” and postpone this procedure as far as possible. But dental treatment during pregnancy is the responsibility of every expectant mother who takes care of herself and her baby. You, of course, ask, what does the fruit have to do with it? The fact is that inflammatory processes in the oral cavity may not affect the development of the fetus in the best way. Even a simple carious tooth, which does not bother a woman, serves as a source of microorganisms that enter the stomach and provoke late toxicosis. Just imagine how quickly the infection will spread throughout the mother’s body if the purulent focus is in the root area of ​​the tooth? Or will severe gingivitis be passed on to an already born child through a mother’s kiss? There are many options here, and not all of them are harmless.

Normally, a woman has 2% calcium in her body. Very often during pregnancy she does not receive enough of this mineral from her diet or she has problems with metabolism and calcium is not absorbed. In this case, the holes in the teeth will be accompanied by night cramps in the limbs, and the risk of postpartum hemorrhage will double. In addition, the newborn baby will have a risk of allergic reactions and rickets. Therefore, a preventive examination by the dentist should be carried out every trimester.

Some statistics...

45% of pregnant women come into contact with a problem such as gingivitis. Their gums swell and bleed, discomfort and bad breath appear. For most of them, these problems go away on their own after childbirth if they followed the recommendations of specialists.

Suitable pregnancy strings for dental treatment

We are already convinced that it is possible to treat teeth during pregnancy. But when is the best time to do this? If a critical moment comes, then you need to go to the dentist immediately for help. If time permits, then treatment is carried out in the period from 14 to 20 weeks of pregnancy, that is, in the second trimester. Starting from 14-15 weeks, the fetus is already protected by the placental barrier. At this stage of pregnancy, the use of anesthetics with minimal adrenaline or radiography (in extreme cases) is allowed. In the first trimester, the embryo is just forming and organs and systems are being laid down, so the use of anesthesia and any drugs is contraindicated. After 20-24 weeks, it is physically quite difficult for a woman to undergo such an event as dental treatment.

On a note! In the 3rd trimester, the fetus puts strong pressure on the aorta. If a woman has to undergo dental treatment, then her position in the chair should be special. To prevent fainting or a drop in blood pressure, a woman needs to lie on her left side.

Diseases that can and should be treated during pregnancy

If it so happens that you need dental treatment during pregnancy, firstly, don’t worry, and secondly, tell the doctor what week of pregnancy you are, about its progress and about taking medications, if you are taking them. This will help the doctor choose the optimal and safe treatment tactics.

Advice! Careful hygiene using fluoride-containing toothpastes without the effect of whitening will help protect teeth during early pregnancy.

If you have caries...

Caries is a common hole in a tooth. At the stage of its occurrence, caries can be easily treated and does not require pain medication. If the process is started, the destruction of dental tissue will reach the pulp and removal of the nerve and more stringent treatment will be required. The only limitation is arsenic. Its use is unacceptable. And there are no restrictions in the choice of fillings. You can fill your teeth with both chemical fillings and light-curing fillings using ultraviolet lamps.

Important! Toothpastes with fragrances and flavoring additives can provoke attacks of toxicosis. Repeated vomiting increases the acidity of saliva and causes destruction of enamel.

If you have gingivitis or stomatitis...

Gingivitis in pregnant women is a hypertrophied enlargement of the gums under the influence of hormonal imbalances in preparation for childbirth. The gum tissue becomes easily inflamed and can completely cover the dental crowns. With this condition of the oral cavity, a woman is simply unable to maintain hygiene and needs professional help. Self-medication with home remedies will only worsen the disease and it will end in a complex form of periodontitis. According to the results of recent studies, women with exacerbation of severe forms of periodontitis during pregnancy experienced premature birth and some pathological conditions in newborns.

A timely visit to the doctor will ease your painful condition with gingivitis and protect your baby from exposure to toxins. The doctor will prescribe treatment of the gums with an antiseptic, rinses and applications to relieve inflammation, and conduct professional oral hygiene.

Due to weakened immunity, women often experience stomatitis in the oral cavity. Small ulcerative lesions cause severe pain and swelling. This disease does not pose any particular danger, but it won’t hurt to go to the doctor. He will advise you on a spray that is appropriate during pregnancy.

If you have periodontitis or pulpitis...

Inflammation of the nerve (pulpitis) and around the root dental tissues (periodontitis) is a consequence of untreated caries. The treatment of such diseases already requires the use of an anesthetic, and in order to properly fill the dental canals, you will have to take an x-ray. Modern radiovisiographic devices irradiate 10-15 times less than their ancestors. In addition, a lead apron will protect the baby from radiation.

If you suffer from tartar...

During pregnancy, both teeth and tartar create many difficulties. Plaque and tartar can cause gums to bleed and encourage the proliferation of “bad” microorganisms. This procedure does not involve pain and is performed using ultrasound or special instruments.

What anesthesia can be used during pregnancy?

There is still a myth circulating among pregnant women that if a tooth hurts during pregnancy, it will have to be treated without anesthesia. This forces frightened women to go to the dentist on weak legs, expecting terrible pain in the dental chair. And only when they see a doctor, they learn that a new generation of painkillers is actively used in practice to treat pregnant women.

Anesthetics based on articaine and mepivacaine (“Ultracaine”) contain a minimal amount of vasoconstrictor components and have a purely local effect, without passing through the placenta to the child. Therefore, suffering from toothache causes much more severe damage to your child than dental anesthesia during pregnancy.

On a note! General anesthesia is contraindicated during pregnancy.

X-ray during pregnancy: is it acceptable?

Not every doctor will be able to “blindly” fill a crooked canal or diagnose a cyst or hidden caries. This will require an x-ray. It is allowed only after the 12th week of pregnancy.

How to do X-rays for pregnant women:

1. She is covered with a lead blanket.
2. Determine the appropriate exposure and use Class E film.
3. All necessary photographs are taken simultaneously.

It is important to know!

It is preferable to go to a clinic where there are modern devices with microdoses close to the normal background radiation.

Removal and prosthetics of teeth during pregnancy

The need for tooth extraction during pregnancy is rare, but it does occur if you have neglected your tooth and caries has completely affected it. The process is absolutely safe for pregnancy, except for the patient’s anxiety. After tooth extraction during pregnancy, you should avoid hypothermia or overheating of the damaged area of ​​the gum.

Prosthetics are considered acceptable during pregnancy, especially if the woman feels great and initiates it herself. If necessary, it is allowed to install braces.

Interesting!

Dental caries is diagnosed in 91.4% of women with normal pregnancy.

Severe tooth sensitivity (enamel hyperesthesia) is observed in 79% of pregnant women.

Which procedures are best postponed?

1. Implantation. Engraftment of new implants involves the use of medications, antibiotics and additional forces of the female body. This procedure is not recommended for pregnant women.
2. Removal of wisdom teeth during pregnancy. This is a complex surgical procedure, after which it is possible to increase the temperature and take antibiotics. If the situation is not critical, then you can remove the tooth after pregnancy.
3. Teeth whitening. The chemical components in the bleaching liquid penetrate the placental barrier and have a toxic effect on the fetus. In addition, whitening destroys enamel and increases the risk of dental diseases.

What are the dangers for a baby from a mother’s bad teeth?

1. Psychotraumatic factor. Toothache negatively affects the female body and at the same time the condition of the child.
2. Infection. Various pathogenic microorganisms can cause all sorts of complications in a child.
3. Intoxication and inflammation. Periodontal damage causes poor health, high fever, toxicosis, and digestive system disorders. This threatens late gestosis for the mother and hypoxia for the fetus.

What drugs should not be used during pregnancy?

Before you are given an anesthetic injection and asked to make an application, ask what drug will be used.

1. Lidocaine is a chemical for local anesthesia. Causes convulsions, dizziness, weakness and decreased blood pressure.
2. Sodium fluoride is a remedy for the treatment of caries. Used to strengthen tooth enamel. In high concentrations, it negatively affects the heart rate and fetal development.
3. Imudon is a drug for the treatment of inflammatory diseases of the oral cavity. The negative factor is unknown since no studies have been conducted.

We carry out doctor's orders

Even if all the teeth are healthy and there is no hint of even the most harmless gingivitis, all pregnant women are simply obliged to visit the dentist when registering to receive valuable recommendations:

1. The ideal option is to treat your teeth at the stage of pregnancy planning.
2. Get regular check-ups with your dentist.
3. Maintain oral hygiene: dental floss, mouthwash, soft toothbrushes and high-quality toothpastes.
4. Adjust the menu so that it contains a sufficient amount of calcium.
5. If you suffer from toxicosis, be sure to rinse your mouth with soda solution after vomiting.
6. To prevent gingivitis, rinse your mouth with a herbal decoction of chamomile, oregano, mint and St. John's wort.

Women must responsibly prepare for such a happy period in their lives as pregnancy. But, if for some reason it was not possible to prepare your teeth and health in general in advance, then come to the dentist for help as early as possible and remember that treatment should be carried out at 4, 5 and 6 months of pregnancy.

For some reason, expectant mothers often avoid going to the dentist, believing that painkilling injections will harm the child. But diseased teeth can pose a great danger to health, since infection of the oral cavity causes inflammation. Over time, intoxication of the entire body occurs.

Pregnancy - it's time to treat your teeth before it's too late.

A strange myth about unwanted dental treatment for pregnant women

There are many opponents of dental treatment while pregnant. They cite the following factors as reasons for their correctness:

• The use of anesthesia at the beginning of pregnancy will disrupt the formation of the embryo.
• Pregnant women have lowered immunity, so there is a high risk of complications.
• During pregnancy, the pain threshold is significantly reduced, which will cause discomfort.

But if you warn your doctor about your situation, you don’t have to worry about any complications. The dentist will choose safe drugs or advise you to postpone treatment until the birth of the child. There is no need to be afraid of a visit to the dental clinic; perhaps the necessary treatment will protect you from infection, and it is not dangerous.

Features of dental treatment in pregnant women

The approach to treatment depends on the period of pregnancy. Even harmless anesthesia, applied at the wrong time, can affect the baby’s health.

At what stage can pregnant women have their teeth treated?

• A pregnant woman should know that dental treatment is extremely undesirable in the first trimester. At this stage, the birth and development of the fetus occurs. The placenta has not yet formed and does not provide adequate protection. Any medical product can cause disruption in the development of a child’s organs.

During this period, treatment is carried out only if dangerous diseases have occurred, such as pulpitis or periodontitis. They are dangerous due to complications that manifest as infection with pus. If the disease is chronic, treatment can be delayed.

• It is best to carry out treatment in the second trimester, that is, from 13 to 28 weeks. The risk of negative impact is minimal. By this time, the female body has already become accustomed to the new state.

At this time, any dental pathologies can be treated with anesthesia. It is allowed to conduct research using X-ray equipment. But implantation in this trimester is prohibited, since the use of many medications will be required.

• The third trimester is not the most favorable period. The muscles of the uterus have become very sensitive and react to any impact by increasing tone. Painkillers also work. Increased uterine tone can cause premature birth.

Important! When emergency medical intervention is required, no attention is paid to the duration of pregnancy. The main thing is to choose the right treatment tactics using approved drugs.

Experts agree that the second trimester is the best time to visit the dentist. That is, from the fourth to the sixth month inclusive.

Why and how to treat teeth for pregnant women in the early stages

If it was not possible to cure diseased teeth before pregnancy, then this must be done in the second trimester. There are not very many dental pathologies, but all can lead to negative consequences.

Advice! In the early stages of pregnancy, teeth can be protected with fluoride paste, but without a whitening effect. Pastes with flavoring additives are prohibited as they increase toxicosis.

What can and should be eliminated:

Caries Causes gastrointestinal dysfunction. There is an increased load on the stomach, as chewing food worsens. Periodontal disease is the main cause of intoxication. Pulpitis This is a caries complication. The problem should be stopped immediately, otherwise suppuration will occur. Gingivitis Inflammation of the oral mucosa. The drug reduces immunity and attracts other dental pathologies. Odontogenic periostitis Causes inflammation of the periosteum. You can lose all your teeth. Stomatitis is a very dangerous disease that affects internal organs and can cause fetal death.

It is possible to install braces, as well as prosthetics with a small amount of medications.

Are painkiller injections dangerous?

Concerns about the use of anesthesia during pregnancy are understandable. Any medicine has side effects, and many drugs are contraindicated during pregnancy.

But treating pregnant women’s teeth using painkillers is not only possible, but also necessary. Treatment without anesthesia will cause a strong surge of adrenaline, and this will harm the baby or even lead to premature birth. But some nuances should be taken into account:

1. The dentist must know the gestational age. Based on this, he will select the most suitable type of treatment.
2. For pain relief, only topical medications are used so that the effect on the blood vessels is minimal. They mainly use Ubistezin or Ultracain, which are the safest anesthetics. Sometimes other drugs are used: Primacaine, Scandonest. The doctor chooses the remedy, taking into account the patient’s health.
3. Do not use drugs containing large amounts of adrenaline. But completely adrenaline-free drugs are not recommended. In the absence of this component, a high concentration of anesthetic quickly penetrates the female body and can harm the fetus.

Attention! General anesthesia is strictly prohibited.

An anesthetic injection is a necessary measure; it will allow you to calmly endure the dentist’s manipulations.

Or maybe not treat?

Dentists and even gynecologists say that pregnant women need to have their teeth treated. They argue as follows:

• Diseased teeth are a source of a lot of bacteria and various infections. After the birth of a child, they will attack his defenseless body.
• And the expectant mother herself will become a victim of such infections. Naturally, treatment with antibiotics will be required, and this is undesirable during pregnancy.
• Once the baby is born, there will be no time to visit the dentist. It is better to have your teeth treated while you are pregnant.
• Unhealthy teeth negatively affect the development of the fetus. He may not only become infected, but also suffer from the stress his mother experiences with toothache. This is reflected in the weight of the fetus and the date of birth.

Any problem in the oral cavity is a source of inflammation. The infection spreads throughout the body. It can come back to haunt a woman and child even after childbirth.

The dentists' arsenal is rich in medications that are safe for the fetus. Dangerous effects on the child’s health are absolutely excluded.

Possible consequences if left untreated

It is not for nothing that experts say that dental treatment during pregnancy should be mandatory. Sources of infection and caries cavities lead to significant worsening of dental diseases (if any).

Refusal of treatment is fraught with complications. The following consequences may occur:

• caries can infect the fetus;
• the infection becomes generalized and develops into sepsis;
• development of late toxicosis;
• miscarriage or early birth.

When the baby is already born:

• newborn with a small mass.
• the child is born nervous because the mother did not treat her teeth, but endured pain.

If there was no dental treatment, the baby may become infected with staphylococcus, the source of which is diseased teeth. You can spread the infection by kissing or licking a pacifier. Such bacteria even penetrate into breast milk.

Some prohibitions

Dental treatment for pregnant women is not contraindicated. But there are procedures that are prohibited:

• Dental stones cannot be removed;
• Do not bleach enamel;
• You can't correct your bite.

This is due to the use of chemicals that can harm a pregnant woman.

• Lidocaine. This anesthetic causes convulsions, reduces blood pressure and makes breathing difficult.
• Sodium fluoride. Negatively affects the functioning of the heart and the formation of the fetus.
• Imudon. The product has not yet undergone a number of studies.
• Stopangin. The drug contains methyl salicylate, which promotes the development of fetal pathologies. May cause an increase in gestational age.

There are a lot of other means that seem harmless. As a result, all medications must be prescribed by your doctor.

Pregnant women can have their teeth treated, but only competently and only by qualified specialists. It is not the therapy that is dangerous, but dental diseases. A good doctor will never prescribe drugs that can affect the intrauterine development of the fetus.

You should trust the doctors and various infections will not harm the mother and her baby.

During pregnancy, many women face dental problems. This problem is especially pronounced with a lack of calcium. In addition, expectant mothers begin to notice problems with previously treated or undertreated teeth and experience severe discomfort.

The effect of pregnancy on teeth

Pregnancy affects all organs and systems of the body. All a woman’s strength is distributed so that she can safely carry and give birth. This does not always have a positive effect on the health of the woman herself and her appearance. Since most of the calcium is spent on the formation of the baby’s skeletal system, teeth and muscles, the woman experiences a deficiency of this element.

Pregnant women face the following problems:

• caries;
• darkening of the enamel;
• bleeding;
• bad breath.

In a woman, all chronic diseases of the oral cavity may worsen, pulpitis or periodontitis may occur. These diseases contribute to the development of pathogenic bacteria that poison the body of the mother and fetus.

Duration of treatment

Treatment should begin before the child is conceived. Various inflammatory processes can have a detrimental effect on the condition of the fetus, and in treatment, painkillers, analgesics, and, in difficult cases, anesthesia are often used.

Important! If you perform complex manipulations with strong medications, you can harm the unborn child and cause a miscarriage.

If it was not possible to treat your teeth before pregnancy or problems with them began after this period, it is important to know when it is possible and recommended to undergo treatment, and when it is better not to do this. In this case, the general condition of the body and the presence of other diseases play an important role.

Some doctors believe that timing does not play an important role. This is explained by the presence of drugs that are completely safe for pregnant women. But it is worth understanding that not all dental clinics, and especially state-run ones, have such medications.

Particularly dangerous is tooth extraction, which can cause serious inflammation. The tooth extraction procedure itself is painful and sometimes requires the use of antibacterial drugs, which is contraindicated for pregnant women.

Important! In the first and last 3 months of pregnancy, it is not advisable to carry out any interventions in a woman’s body!

Dental treatment is the most dangerous in the first trimester and is carried out only in emergency cases, and in particular in case of pulpitis or periodontitis. These diseases can cause the development of purulent inflammation.

Any manipulation before 13.5 weeks can cause a miscarriage, and after 31.5 - premature birth. This is not observed in all women, but still occurs in practice, so dentists recommend treatment from 13.5 weeks to 17.5.

The seventeenth week of pregnancy is the last time when dentists recommend dental treatment

What can be treated during pregnancy?

Performing complex manipulations is contraindicated and can only be performed in emergency cases. The following pathologies can be treated:

• stage 1 caries;

  

• periostitis;

  

• pulpitis;
• periodontitis;

  

• stomatitis;

  

• periodontal disease;
  

  

• gingivitis.

  

Despite the wide range of diseases that can be treated, the woman herself should worry about the health of the baby and remember the most favorable timing for any manipulation, as well as warn the dentist about the presence of allergies to certain medications.



Completely contraindicated:

• removal of wisdom teeth;
• correction of bite;
• whitening and strengthening.



A pregnant woman’s body is weakened and procedures that would not harm other women are contraindicated for expectant mothers. No matter how much you would like to preserve the beauty of your teeth and whiten or strengthen them, you should refuse this and remember that these procedures during pregnancy can only do harm.



Teeth are removed using drugs that act locally. A woman should follow all doctor's recommendations to reduce the risk of infection and inflammation.



Doctors often prescribe Amoxiclav after tooth extraction

It is contraindicated to remove wisdom teeth. This procedure is quite complicated and requires the use of antibiotics. In addition, it is often accompanied by:

• increased body temperature;
• general weakness;
• severe swelling of the gums and pain.

Prosthetics

Dental implantation is completely prohibited during this period. In order for the implants to take root completely, considerable strength of the body is required, which in a woman is completely spent on the child. In addition, dental implantation requires taking certain medications that are prohibited for pregnant women.



X-ray

When treating teeth, an x-ray is often required. Modern clinics offer radiovisiography as an excellent replacement for x-rays, which has tens of times less radiation. However, not all dentists have such equipment, and the woman is offered a standard procedure in which she is put on an apron with a lead gasket.





In general, doctors recommend refraining from X-ray exposure, and especially in the first trimester. If this procedure is necessary, you should contact a modern clinic, where there is new equipment with highly sensitive sensors and films that reduce the radiation load.

Choice of anesthesia

The treatment should not be accompanied by unpleasant pain, so anesthesia is required. Pregnant women can use drugs based on articaine, which act locally and cannot cross the placenta. These products do not harm the body of a woman or child.

Important! The most famous and popular drugs based on articaine are Ultracaine and Ubistezin.



"Ultracaine"



"Ubistezin"

Modern medicine really makes it possible to treat teeth without pain and stress during pregnancy. However, you must inform your doctor about your situation, the presence of chronic diseases and allergies to medications, so that he can select the safest drug with minimal side effects.

Important! During pregnancy, anesthesia containing adrenaline is contraindicated!



Video - Dental treatment during pregnancy

Preventive measures

In order to keep teeth healthy, women must follow simple rules:




A woman’s well-being affects her baby, and you should not endure acute toothache. The main thing is to remember the timing when dental treatment is safe for the child’s body and his mother. After all, the absence of treatment is fraught with danger and can cause serious pathologies in fetal development.

Video - At what stage of pregnancy can teeth be treated?

There is a misconception that treating teeth during pregnancy is strictly prohibited. But doctors say the opposite. Carrying out therapy while carrying a child is not only not prohibited, but also extremely necessary. There are just certain deadlines and precautions for this.

What are the dangers of advanced caries?

The assertion of experts that dental treatment is a necessary procedure is not groundless. The presence of carious cavities and other foci of infection at least leads to deterioration existing dental pathologies.

But this is not the most dangerous thing. The infection can spread throughout the body, leading to systemic complications.

First of all it suffers Gastrointestinal tract, since the infection from the mouth quickly enters the esophagus and stomach. This can lead to gastritis, intestinal dysfunction, and late toxicosis. As a result, metabolic processes are disrupted, which negatively affects the development and growth of the fetus.

Often, in the presence of dental diseases, a child is born with a low body weight.

If the source of the disease is located near the periodontium or bone tissue, then the infection can lead to complete loss of teeth. The infection can enter the bloodstream and cause inflammation of organs or cause general intoxication body.

Studies have shown that bacteria that cause caries are a common cause premature birth.

Therapy in the first trimester

The first trimester is one of the important stages of pregnancy, during which dental treatment is carried out using anesthetic drugs extremely undesirable. During this period, the formation and development of all fetal organs occurs.

An incompletely formed placenta is not able to provide high-quality protection to the fetus. Any exposure to medications can lead to pathological disruption of formation his internal organs.

At this period of time, treatment is carried out only in case of acute manifestations of the disease, for example, periodontitis, pulpitis, which threaten complication in the form of a purulent infection. In the chronic course of the disease, it is recommended to postpone treatment until a more favorable period.

Therapy in the second trimester

The second trimester is the most favorable time for treatment, since the risk of negative influence is minimized. By the beginning of this period, the woman’s body gets used to the new state and becomes stronger.

The placenta, which acts as a barrier and prevents the penetration of foreign substances to the fetus, is fully formed.

At this stage allowed carry out treatment acute and chronic dental pathologies using anesthetics local action, which includes no adrenaline or its presence is reduced to a minimum dosage.

Before therapy Can conduct research using x-ray equipment(visiograph), only in this case it is necessary to use a special protective apron.

Conduct implantation in the 2nd trimester Not recommended, since these procedures require the use of a large number of medications.

Therapy in the third trimester

Just like the first trimester, the third applies to a not very favorable period for dental treatment. At this time, the muscles of the uterus become as sensitive as possible and respond to any impact by increasing tone.

Anesthesia drugs have the same effect. In most cases, they contain a minimal dose of adrenaline, which increases the tone of the uterus, which increases the risk of premature birth.

In case of urgent intervention, the woman should be kept in the lateral decubitus position during therapy, as the fetus puts strong pressure on the main aorta and can cause increased pressure and loss of consciousness.

What diseases must be eliminated?

The dentist is not always ready to treat diseases during pregnancy. The following pathologies are the main indications for therapy:

• Caries. Even with a small amount of caries, the infection penetrates the gastrointestinal tract and causes its dysfunction. In addition, in the presence of cavities, the quality of chewing food significantly deteriorates, which increases the load on the stomach.

  With deep damage, the infection can penetrate into the bone tissue, leading to inflammation and loss of the crown.

• Periodontitis and/or pulpitis. Act as a complication after caries. If the problem is not stopped in a timely manner, it leads to a purulent infection, which can lead to the development of sepsis.
• Odontogenic periostitis– characterized by inflammation of the periosteal tissue. A complication is complete tooth loss.
• Periodontal disease, periodontitis. They cause pathologies of the heart, joints and general intoxication of the body.
• Stomatitis– a dangerous pathology, which is often accompanied by a deterioration in the general condition of the body up to a sustained increase in temperature and severe intoxication. The disease can provoke pathological development of internal organs or fetal death.
• Gingivitis– inflammation of the mucous tissues of the oral cavity. Leads to a general decrease in immunity and the addition of other dental pathologies.

In addition to the listed diseases, during pregnancy Can conduct simple tooth extraction(except for the last molars, which most often require complex removal).

It is also possible to install orthodontic structures ( braces) And prosthetics with minimal use of medications.

Pain medications

The choice of drug for anesthesia plays an important role during gestation. Preference is given to products with minimal adrenaline content.

Usually, small dosage such a drug should not affect the uterus and penetrate the placental barrier, causing a negative effect on the fetus.

Only a few drugs meet these requirements:

• Ultracaine. It is a colorless solution whose active ingredients are articaine and epinephrine. The auxiliary components included in the product: sodium metabisulfate, purified water, sodium chloride.

  The drug is fast-acting - the analgesic effect occurs within 2 minutes after the injection and lasts up to 45 minutes. It does not have a depressing effect on the vascular system and the heart, but is prohibited in cases of glaucoma, kidney pathology, and severe hypoxia.

  It is also worth remembering the side effects of the drug: urticaria, low blood pressure, heart rhythm disturbances. The drug is sold in special cartridges (carpules) intended for use only with a special syringe.

  This injection system is painless. After administering ultracaine, the syringe along with the carpule are destroyed. The cost of one cartridge of this product ranges from 45 to 90 rubles.

• Primacaine. This is a combined action anesthetic containing epinephrine and articaine. The main difference between this drug is its short half-life, making it can be used by children, pregnant and nursing mothers.

  After the injection is given, primacaine begins to act within 30 seconds. The action lasts about 40 minutes. The drug is contraindicated for heart disease, anemia, renal failure, and high blood pressure.

  In the last trimester its use may provoke bleeding. The average cost of the product is 80 rubles.

• Ubistezin. The main active ingredients are articaine and epinephrine. Additional components: sodium sulfite, water for injection. Like other articaine drugs, it has an anesthetic effect 1 minute after administration and retains it for up to 45 minutes.

  The drug has virtually no negative effects on the heart. In rare cases, there is a slight increase in blood pressure and rapid heartbeat.

  Contraindications include kidney disease, hypertension, and tachycardia. Ubistezin can be purchased for about 40 rubles.

• Septanest. The main components are articaine and adrenalin. It has a minimal vasoconstrictor effect and does not have a negative effect on the functioning of the heart.

  The maximum analgesic effect occurs three minutes after the injection and lasts about an hour. The drug is contraindicated for bronchial asthma, as it can provoke an attack of suffocation.

  Using in the first trimester may cause dizziness and loss of consciousness. The average market cost of one ampoule of the product is about 60 rubles.

Septanest

Therapy without injection

The use of anesthetics is not always required during dental treatment. In some cases, you can do without pain relief. Even if therapy is carried out during the safest period, the risk of negative effects of medications on the body of the pregnant woman and the fetus always remains.

Therefore, for pathologies in the initial stage, they try not to use anesthesia. As a rule, there is no pain with this treatment. Instead, discomfort can only appear.

If the patient is unable to calmly tolerate unpleasant sensations, it can be used local anesthesia with spray or gel.

In situations where the procedure is accompanied by severe pain, it is recommended to use anesthetic drugs, since in some cases the pain can have a greater negative impact than the drugs used.

Conclusion

Dental treatment during pregnancy is a necessary procedure. The method used will depend on the pathology and the degree of its neglect. No dentist will resort to treatment with anesthesia unless there are certain indications for it.

The use of painkillers will be justified only if the harm from the pathology exceeds the negative impact of anesthetics.

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2 Comments

• Daria Gikst

  September 9, 2016 at 03:25 pm

  Just recently, a couple of months ago, I became a mother and the question of dental treatment arose for me. I can say with confidence that pregnancy is not a death sentence and not a reason not to visit the dentist. I am not a doctor, but at an elementary level that is understandable for an ordinary person, I can make an unambiguous conclusion that the drugs used for pain relief are no more harmful than all those factors for which not a single pregnant woman is insured: ecology; the quality of store-bought products (in the manufacture of which God knows what they use). And it’s better to have your baby’s teeth treated before the birth than for him to receive a dose of harm from his mother’s diseased teeth. Moreover, medicine has stepped far forward and is minimizing the pain of the procedure.

• Olga

  September 11, 2016 at 2:55 am

  I had my teeth treated by a dentist during pregnancy, the doctor assured me that the anesthesia would not affect the child in any way, and I believed him. The main thing in the dentist’s chair is not to be too nervous, as this can affect the child. So I tried to calm down and distract myself, think about something good. Of course, an X-ray also had to be done, but I was afraid and postponed this procedure. But more than a year has already passed since the birth of the child and I still haven’t had an x-ray, which means they are right in saying that after you give birth there will be no time at all to go to the doctors. This is one of the reasons for dental treatment during pregnancy.

• Lisa

  November 7, 2016 at 03:06 pm

  When I was pregnant, dental treatment didn't seem very important to me. In principle, everything was fine with my teeth, but around the sixth month one of the teeth began to crumble and as a result there was almost nothing left of the tooth. I didn’t go to see a dentist, but somehow I had a conversation about this incident with my gynecologist, how much he scolded me for not immediately going to have my tooth treated. My second trimester was almost over and I finally went to the dentist, the tooth turned out to be affected by caries and it was difficult, but I managed to save it with the use of anesthesia, the dentist explained everything to me and explained that the anesthesia he used would not harm the child, but here’s how since my caries would cause him quite a lot of harm. Only now does it dawn on me how stupid I was...

• Marina

  March 2, 2017 at 5:24 am

  During pregnancy I had all my teeth treated. I went to the dentist in the first trimester, but she advised me to start all manipulations from the fourth month. She was treated with painkillers, fortunately, this did not affect the child in any way. As a result, I breastfed my child for almost two years and my teeth remained intact. And if I had not dealt with this issue during pregnancy, then probably more than one tooth would have had to be removed. So, you really need to do everything on time. Moreover, now there are painkillers that are absolutely harmless to the expectant mother and baby.