Sometimes, it is hard to plan for everything. You may have planned on having a baby, but have a dental emergency. It could be you are planning on a dental procedure and have an unexpected pregnancy. No matter what the case may be, your dental health is still important for you and your baby. Here are some things that you should know about your dental health and your pregnancy:
1. Having Regular Dental Treatments Done Before Conception
There may be some dental care you need on a regular basis. If you have a gum condition that requires frequent treatments, try to have this done before you conceive. If you are pregnant and have an appointment, talk with your periodontist about your pregnancy before they begin any new treatments. If you are having dental restoration procedures done, talk with your dentists about your treatment plan and what needs to be done now.
2. Talking With Your Dentist Before Having X-Rays
If you need to have dental treatments done, it is likely that the first step will be to take images of your teeth and bone structure. This is usually done with X-rays, which can expose you and your growing baby to radiation. Before you have any medical imagery done, it is important to tell the technician about your pregnancy. They can take extra precautions to protect you and your baby when doing x-rays or postpone them. If you plan on conceiving but are not yet pregnant, consider having images done now.
3. Discuss Any Medications And Vitamins With Your Doctor And Dentist
There may be medications that you take before you become pregnant, as well as additional medications that you take during your pregnancy, such as prenatal vitamins. You want to talk with your doctor and dentist about any medications you take. If you are taking medications for dental conditions, talk with your dentist about your pregnancy. This can include things like mouthwashes for gum diseases that have medications in them. Your dentist may recommend changing these during your pregnancy or suggest using something that can help with bleeding gums, which is a common pregnancy symptom.
4. Deciding What Treatments Are Necessary And Those That Can Be Postponed
There may be treatments that you need to have done. Fillings, cleaning and other common dental procedures may be needed to keep your mouth in good health. You may still need to have some of the most urgent treatments done to help prevent infections during your pregnancy. If you are having restoration done, you may want to postpone treatments like dental implants and surgeries. A temporary prosthesis can be made for your teeth during your pregnancy if needed.
Your dental health and diet can directly affect your growing child. It is important that you eat well and take care of your dental health to ensure that you have a healthy baby. If you think you may be pregnant, talk to your dentist (like those at MyoTech Dental & Implant Center) about any treatments. In addition, you can have dental work such a cleanings and gum treatment done before conceiving if possible.
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