Take Precautions to remove your Wisdom Teeth When Pregnant

When you are pregnant if you have to have emergency dental work, such as wisdom tooth removal there are a few precautions you should take.  It is best to wait until after delivery to have dental work done, but if this is not possible here are a few suggestions to help make the procedure safe.

First of all, be sure and let your dentist or surgeon know that you are pregnant.  He or she can use a local anesthetic such as Novocain or Lidocaine that will not cause any problems with the baby. 

If at all possible, try to have dental work during your second trimester.  During the first trimester, your baby  is forming vital organs and during the third trimester if could be very uncomfortable for you to lie on your back for an extended period of time.

If you need to take an antibiotic before or after your procedure it is generally safe to take penicillin or amoxicillin , but you should avid tetracycline.

Hormonal changes during pregnancy cause many pregnant women to have problems that they didn’t have before they became pregnant.   The  gum tissue is more sensitive to irritation.  They swell, become inflamed, turn red, bleed and are often painful.  These reactions are to the plaque surrounding the teeth.  Many dentists believe that pregnant women should have three or at least two dental cleanings during the time that women are pregnant. Home care should be excellent.  Of course, dentists would prefer to avoid tooth extraction during pregnancy. However, the best interests of the child must be thought of too.  A mother in constant pain, while carrying a child, is stressing out her body.   This is not healthy for the child. Modern tooth extraction procedures are very gentle and many patients are not even aware that their tooth has been removed.  The dental anaesthetics have epinephrine in them that closes the local blood vessels and keeps the anaesthetic in the area of concern and away from the baby.
Procedures to remove wisdom teeth are often carried out safely under local anaesthetic, but I would advise that you discuss this issue with your physician and a board certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon to make sure that the operation can be done this way.  In the mean time keep the area clean with your tooth brush.   I know it may not feel very good, but until you have the tooth removed, that is a necessity.  Also, rinse your mouth with warm salt water 2 to 3 times a day.  This will help with some of the discomfort.  It sound like you may need a bite guard to wear at night to help with your tmj pains.  You may see a general dentist for this, or if you can’t afford it or have no insurance, go to the nearest sporting goods store and buy a rubber bite guard football players wear.  It comes in various sizes

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Sometimes it will be necessary to have X-rays before your removal.  These are necessary, but should be kept to a minimum.  The X-rays used in dental work should pose little threat to your baby, but it is best do these during the second trimester (if possible).