Pregnancy is a rewarding yet challenging experience for many mothers. A mother’s body goes through a lot when they are pregnant, meaning that they will attend many doctor’s appointments throughout the pregnancy. These appointments are vital to make sure that both mother and baby are doing well. However, there are certain types of doctor’s appointments that may need to wait until after the pregnancy has been completed. If you are planning on visiting the dentist while pregnant, there are several recommendations that are important to keep in mind.

Visiting The Dentist While Pregnant

Visiting the dentist consistently is an important part of keeping your teeth healthy. However, during pregnancy, it isn’t uncommon for expecting parents to experience certain complications that make it difficult to seek dental services. If you are pregnant, it is important to be especially careful when seeking dental care. 

During pregnancy, some dentists may be weary about seeing you unless it is an emergency. They may be limited in the service they can provide, and there may be certain conditions that are important to meet before you decide to visit your dentist while pregnant. 

1. Keep Up Your Regular Oral Care

Keeping up with your regular oral care routine is extremely important during pregnancy. Good oral hygiene will decrease the likelihood of contracting certain oral conditions, including cavities and gingivitis. Pregnant women are at a higher risk of these conditions as well as developing other problems such as periodontal disease. 

This increased risk is due, in part, to the increase in progesterone and estrogen. You may also find yourself craving more sugary or acidic foods, leading to increased risks of damage. With this in mind, it is important that you continue brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing once a day. If you experience any dental irritations, it is important that you reach out to your dentist for advice as soon as possible to prevent decay. 

2. Second Trimester Is Better

At Bismarck Advanced Dental and Implants, we recommend waiting until your second trimester to visit your dentist for a checkup or other dental procedure. During the first trimester of pregnancy, morning sickness can make it difficult or impossible to get many tasks done. In addition to this, you may also struggle with things like brushing your teeth without feeling sick. 

Scheduling a dental appointment during this time would be incredibly uncomfortable, so it is best to wait until your morning sickness begins to fade before going into the office. You may also want to visit your dentist during the third trimester, though it may be physically uncomfortable.

During your dental exam, you are often lying on your back for prolonged periods of time. This can be incredibly uncomfortable, as the weight of your uterus can put pressure on your spine. If you don’t absolutely need to visit your dentist while in the third trimester, it might be best to hold off. However, if you are going to visit your dentist while pregnant, it is best to do so during your second trimester. 

3. Check With Your Dentist If It Is An Emergency

If you visit your dentist while pregnant, many diagnostic and restorative dental treatments can still be performed. However, each situation is different, meaning that it is important to check with your dentist before certain procedures. If there is an emergency dental problem, consult your doctor to make sure that the procedure is appropriate for your needs. 

4. Avoid Exposure To Nitrous Gas

If you are in need of a procedure that requires nitrous oxide gas to perform, it will have to wait until after pregnancy. Nitrous gas (also known as laughing gas) could potentially cause harm to the baby if it is administered to the mother. Women who are pregnant and working in the dental field should also avoid nitrous oxide. 

If you visit the dentist while pregnant but are getting procedures done that you had agreed to prior to the pregnancy, it is important that you alert your dentist to this. They can make any necessary changes and adjustments to meet your unique needs. However, you will likely need to avoid any dental procedures where you will have to be under anesthesia or exposed to nitrous oxide until after the end of the pregnancy. 

Are You In Need Of A Dentist While Pregnant?

At Bismarck Advanced Dental and Implants, our team is conservative when it comes to seeing pregnant patients. Due to the potential difficulties that certain procedures could cause, we will only see clients under certain conditions. If you reach out to us regarding a need for a certain procedure, we will work with you to see if it would be appropriate for your specific situation. We are happy to give you more information about our services, visiting the dentist while pregnant, and how we could be of service to you. If you would like to speak to our dental team about visiting the dentist while pregnant or you would like further information, don’t hesitate to reach out to us today.