Pregnancy can lead to a number of dental problems in many women, including gum disease and increased risk of tooth decay. During pregnancy, your increased hormones can affect your body's response to plaque (the layer of germs on your teeth). Pregnancy does not automatically damage your teeth
Pregnancy can lead to dental problems in some women, including gum disease and the increased risk of tooth decay. During pregnancy your body is in turmoil and your increased hormones can affect your body's response to plaque (the layer of germs on your teeth). Howver pregnancy does not automatically damage your teeth
Preventive dental cleanings and annual exams during pregnancy are not only safe, but are recommended, according to the American Dental Association.
Marc Liechtung, DMD, inventor of the Snap-on-Smile™ and principal in New York-based Manhattan Dental Arts, a practice that specializes in cosmetic and restorative dentistry, recommends the following guidelines for pregnant women:
Tell your dentist that you are pregnant.
Have preventive exams and cleanings during your pregnancy.
Postpone non-emergency dental work until the second trimester or until after delivery, if possible.
Elective treatments, such as teeth whitening and other cosmetic procedures, should be postponed until after the birth.
Routine x-rays, usually taken during annual exams, can usually be postponed until after the birth.
Sometimes emergency dental work is necessary:
Cavity fillings and crowns should be treated to reduce the chance of infection.
If dental work is needed, the amount of anesthesia administered should be as little as possible, but still enough to make you comfortable.
Emergency dental work often requires antibiotics to prevent or treat infections. Antibiotics such as penicillin, amoxicillin, and clindamycin, which are labeled safe in pregnancy, may be prescribed after your procedure.
X-rays may be necessary to perform many dental emergencies. According to the American College of Radiology, no single diagnostic x-ray has a radiation dose significant enough to cause adverse effects in a developing embryo or fetus.
The safest course of action is to postpone all unnecessary dental work until after the birth.
The rise in hormone levels during pregnancy causes the gums to swell, bleed, and trap food causing increased irritation to your gums. Preventive dental work while pregnant is essential to avoid oral infections such as gum disease, which has been linked to premature birth.
Marc Liechtung, DMD is an emergency dentist in NYC and offers free appointments to expecant mother worried about gum disease, periodontal disease or other conditions that arise during pregnancy.
Marc Liechtung, DMD is the founder of Manhattan Dental Arts and the Inventor of the Snap-on-Smile®. Manhattan Dental Arts P.C. is located on the Upper West Side at 68th and Broadway. We specialize in dental cleanings,emergency dentistry, dental implants, all-on-4 dental implants, full mouth reconstruction, dental crowns, root canals,periodontics, Snap on Smile, dental bridges, dentures, extractions, smile makeovers and all forms of general and cosmetic dentistry. The practice group also owns New Rochelle Dental Arts. New Rochelle Dental Arts specializes in dental cleanings,emergency dentistry, dental implants, all-on-4 dental implants, full mouth reconstruction, dental crowns, root canals, periodontics, Snap on Smile, dental bridges, dentures, extractions, smile makeovers and all forms of general and cosmetic dentistry.
