Dental treatment can be carried out during pregnancy. Preventive, diagnostic and necessary treatments can be provided at any stage of pregnancy after a dentist's assessment. Pain, decay or a suspected infection should not be postponed simply because you are pregnant.
The timing of treatment depends on the week of pregnancy, how urgent the procedure is and the mother's health. In high-risk pregnancies in particular, the dentist and the obstetrician may be in contact.
Can You Have Dental Treatment While Pregnant?
During pregnancy, an oral examination, teeth cleaning, fillings and necessary root canal treatment can be carried out. Tooth extraction and X-rays can also be considered when there is a clinical need.
At your first appointment, say that you are pregnant and how many weeks along you are. Also share information about a high-risk pregnancy, regular medication, allergies or problems in previous pregnancies.
One situation we often see at our clinic is expectant mothers putting off a toothache for a long time out of concern for the baby. Delay can allow a problem that was limited at first to progress.
| Stage of pregnancy | General approach | Practical point |
|---|---|---|
| First trimester | Examination, preventive care and necessary urgent treatment can be carried out. | Nausea and vomiting can make appointments harder. Short sessions can be planned. |
| Second trimester | Necessary fillings, root canal treatment, gum treatment and extractions can be planned. | Many expectant mothers are more comfortable in the chair at this stage. |
| Third trimester | Urgent treatment, or treatment that should not be delayed, can be carried out. | Lying on your back for a long time can be uncomfortable. Position and session length are adjusted. |
This table is a general framework. It should not be read to mean that a necessary treatment can only be done in one particular trimester.
What Causes Toothache During Pregnancy?
Toothache during pregnancy usually comes from an oral problem that started before the pregnancy or progressed during it. Pregnancy alone does not cause decay.
Nausea, vomiting, frequent snacking and interrupted oral care can increase existing risks. Stomach acid can also erode tooth enamel and lead to sensitivity.
Causes of toothache that can be seen in pregnancy include:
- Tooth decay, or decay reaching the inner tissue of the tooth
- A broken tooth, a lost filling or a crack
- Infection from the tooth root or the gums
- Inflammation around a wisdom tooth
- Root sensitivity due to gum recession
- Enamel wear that develops after vomiting
- Teeth clenching or tension in the jaw muscles
The source of the pain cannot be identified without an examination. Pain triggered by hot or cold, throbbing pain, or pain that wakes you at night needs a dentist's assessment.
Gum Swelling and Bleeding During Pregnancy
Gum swelling during pregnancy, along with redness and bleeding while brushing, is common. Hormonal changes can strengthen the inflammatory response of the gums to bacterial plaque.
This condition is called pregnancy gingivitis. If plaque is not removed, sensitivity, bad breath and bleeding can become more noticeable. Bleeding does not mean you should stop brushing.
What Can You Do About Gum Swelling?
- Brush your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled brush and fluoride toothpaste.
- Clean between your teeth once a day with floss or a suitable interdental brush.
- Do not press hard with the brush, but do not leave a bleeding area uncleaned either.
- Limit frequently eaten sugary foods and drinks to main meals.
- See a dentist if there is persistent swelling, bleeding or a bad taste.
A red growth in one area that enlarges and bleeds easily may be a pregnancy granuloma. It is usually benign, but it should be examined so it can be told apart from problems that look similar.
If facial swelling, severe pain or fever is present, the problem may be more than simple gum sensitivity. An assessment for infection from the gums or the tooth root is needed without delay.
Can You Have a Dental X-ray While Pregnant?
A dental X-ray during pregnancy can be taken when it is needed for diagnosis or treatment planning. The radiation dose used in modern dental X-rays is low, and the beam is not directed at the abdomen.
The decision to image should be based on clinical need, not on a routine schedule. The dentist should request only the image needed for diagnosis and use techniques that reduce the chance of a repeat exposure.
Always tell the staff before an X-ray that you are pregnant or may be pregnant. If you have recent images taken previously, bringing them to the appointment can avoid a repeat exposure.
International recommendations on the use of lead aprons have changed in recent years. The decision about protective equipment is based on the device, the imaging method and the institution's radiation safety protocol.
If delaying an X-ray would delay the diagnosis, the benefits and risks are weighed together. With an abscess, trauma or a need for root canal treatment in particular, imaging can directly affect the treatment decision.
Can a Tooth Be Extracted During Pregnancy?
Tooth extraction during pregnancy can be carried out when the tooth cannot be saved or is a source of infection. Postponing a necessary extraction until after the birth is not always the right choice.
The decision to extract is made after an examination and, where needed, an X-ray. Whether the tooth can be saved with a filling, root canal treatment or another approach is assessed first.
Non-urgent procedures that may take a long time can be planned for the second trimester, for the mother's comfort. However, if there is severe pain, an abscess or trauma, assessment should not be delayed whatever the stage of pregnancy.
A local anesthetic suitable for pregnancy can be chosen for the procedure. If there is a high-risk pregnancy, a bleeding disorder or regular medication, an opinion can be requested from the obstetrician.
Follow the care instructions given after the extraction. Contact your dentist if you have ongoing bleeding, increasing swelling, fever or pain that cannot be controlled.
Which Dental Treatments Can Be Carried Out in Pregnancy?
The treatment plan is personalized to the diagnosis and to how necessary the procedure is. The main procedures that can be considered during pregnancy are:
- Oral and dental examination: Decay, gum disease, fractures and signs of infection are assessed.
- Teeth cleaning (scaling): Can help control gum inflammation caused by plaque and tartar build-up.
- Fillings: Can be placed to stop decay progressing and to protect the tooth tissue.
- Root canal treatment: May be needed for inflammation or infection in the inner tissue of the tooth.
- Gum treatment: Care can be planned according to signs of gingivitis and periodontitis.
- Tooth extraction: Can be considered for teeth that cannot be saved or are a source of infection.
Non-essential esthetic procedures such as teeth whitening are usually left until after the birth. Plans that require sedation or general anesthesia call for a separate medical assessment.
What to Watch for With Medicines and Local Anesthesia
Suitable local anesthetics can be used for necessary dental treatment in pregnancy. The agent and the way it is given are decided by the dentist.
Do not use painkillers, antibiotics or antiseptic mouthwash on your own initiative. Some medicines can be unsuitable depending on the week of pregnancy. Ask your dentist and the doctor following your pregnancy first.
Do not use antibiotics that were prescribed earlier and left over at home. Antibiotics are not needed for every cause of pain, and they do not address the underlying problem in the tooth.
Keep a list of the medicines you use with you when you go to your appointment. Vitamins, supplements and over-the-counter products should be on that list too.
How Should You Care for Your Mouth During Pregnancy?
Regular oral care helps reduce the risk of pregnancy gingivitis and decay. If nausea makes brushing difficult, a small-headed, soft brush can be used.
- Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste for two minutes in the morning and at night.
- Spit out the toothpaste after brushing. Do not rinse heavily with water, so the fluoride keeps working.
- Clean between your teeth every day.
- Reduce how often you snack on sugary items, and eat them with main meals where possible.
- Rinse your mouth with water after vomiting.
- Wait at least 30 minutes before brushing, to protect enamel softened by stomach acid.
If you have persistent vomiting, dry mouth or marked sensitivity, your dentist can give personal care advice. Mouthwash and extra fluoride products should be used only on professional advice.
When Should You See a Dentist?
An oral examination early in pregnancy helps in planning for any existing problems. Even without pain, gum bleeding, a broken filling or sensitivity should not be ignored.
The following signs need a same-day dentist assessment:
- Severe or steadily increasing toothache
- Noticeable swelling in the face, jaw or mouth
- Fever, feeling unwell or a bad taste in the mouth
- Difficulty opening your mouth and chewing
- A tooth broken or displaced after trauma
- Bleeding in the mouth that does not stop
If there is difficulty breathing, speaking or swallowing, emergency help is needed. If swelling spreads toward the eye, call 112, the emergency number in Turkey, or go to an emergency department.
What Information Should You Share at Your Appointment?
When you go to a dentist appointment in Bursa or any other city, share how many weeks pregnant you are. Your estimated due date and your obstetrician's contact details can also be useful.
Mention any diagnosis of a high-risk pregnancy, blood pressure or bleeding problems, diabetes and allergies. Bring your previous X-rays and an up-to-date list of the medicines you use.
Pregnancy is not a barrier to dental treatment. With the right timing, the necessary precautions and communication between clinicians, oral problems can be assessed throughout pregnancy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you have dental treatment during pregnancy?
Yes. Examination, teeth cleaning, fillings, root canal treatment and necessary surgical procedures can be carried out during pregnancy after a dentist's assessment.
Which stage of pregnancy is more comfortable for dental treatment?
For many expectant mothers, planned procedures can be more comfortable in the second trimester. However, urgent problems such as pain and infection should be assessed at any stage.
Does a tooth extraction during pregnancy harm the baby?
Necessary extractions can be carried out with suitable local anesthesia and clinical precautions. In high-risk pregnancies, the obstetrician's opinion can be requested.
Can a dental X-ray be taken during pregnancy?
A dental X-ray can be taken when it is needed for diagnosis or treatment. Tell the staff you are pregnant; the exposure and protective equipment are planned according to the institution's radiation safety protocol.
Can local anesthesia be used during pregnancy?
Local anesthetics suitable for pregnancy can be used at the dentist's discretion. The method is chosen according to the procedure and your general health.
Is gum bleeding during pregnancy normal?
Hormonal changes can make the gums react more strongly to plaque. If bleeding recurs, or there is swelling or bad breath, a dental examination is needed.
Can you take medication for toothache during pregnancy?
Painkillers and antibiotics should not be taken on your own initiative. The choice of medicine should be made by the dentist and, where needed, the doctor following your pregnancy.