Can You Get Your Wisdom Teeth Removed While Pregnant?
Pregnancy is an exciting season but has several challenges. Among the changes women face are nausea, back pain, exhaustion, and changes in oral health. In addition, most patients find it hard to maintain proper oral hygiene. It is usually due to a strong gag reflex and an aversion to toothpaste flavors.
Women have many dental issues while pregnant. These include thrush, gum inflammation, and tooth pain. They occur because of increased hormone levels and poor eating and dental hygiene habits. For example, wisdom tooth pain is caused by increased blood flow and hormone changes. Read on to find out if wisdom teeth removal can occur during pregnancy.
Reasons for Wisdom Teeth Removal While Pregnant
Generally, dental professionals do not recommend invasive dental procedures when you are expectant. This is due to the stress the mother undergoes and potential side effects on the fetus. However, the dentist near you can schedule a wisdom tooth surgery due to certain factors. They include:
- If there is a possibility of infection in your mouth, the tooth will be extracted. It is because oral infections can enter the bloodstream affecting the entire body.
- The tooth is extracted if there is a risk of permanent damage to your gums or teeth. For example, it may lead to gum disease, infected root canals, cysts, and misalignment.
- Excruciating pain and discomfort that impacts your daily life will necessitate an extraction.
What Can You Do for Wisdom Teeth Pain While Pregnant?
The first thing you can do for wisdom teeth pain during pregnancy is to visit a dentist near you. This dental expert will evaluate your teeth and oral health to determine if you need an extraction. If the tooth requires to be removed, the dentist will contact your doctor to create a treatment plan.
Ask your dentist to prescribe or recommend medication for wisdom tooth pain. You can also use natural remedies such as clove paste or oil for the pain. Warm saline frequently rinses also helps reduce the discomfort. Alternatively, use a cold or warm compress on the area around the tooth for pain relief.
The other thing you can do when having wisdom tooth pain when pregnant is to stay on top of your dental hygiene. Ensure you brush and floss using the right techniques, toothbrush, and fluoride toothpaste. In addition, rinse your mouth frequently with mouthwash to reduce bacteria.
You can also avoid snacking all the time because this increases the risk of plaque buildup. Brush or rinse your mouth to prevent caries when you take sugary things or carbohydrates. Avoid very hot or cold foods to reduce tooth sensitivity, which is heightened in pregnancy.
Is Dental Anesthesia Safe During Pregnancy?
Anesthesia is administered during dental work to prevent pain or discomfort. Over the previous decades, dentists refrained from administering anesthesia to pregnant patients. They were unsafe in the first trimester because the child’s vital organs were developing.
Today, anesthesia use while pregnant is considered safe at any stage of the pregnancy. This is because of advancements in dentistry. Dental professionals have developed anesthesia that can be used without harming the unborn baby or mother. These anesthetics are injected into a single body part and do not travel to the bloodstream.
So, yes, dental anesthesia is safe while pregnant. Let your dentist know you are pregnant during your dental visits. If you must undergo a procedure that requires stronger anesthesia, your dentist will liaise with your OB-GYN. They will figure out a safe way to administer the anesthesia and monitor you during the dental work.
Precautions for Safe Wisdom Tooth Extraction During Pregnancy
Dental x-rays are necessary before an extraction. Your dentist will ensure they use machines with minimum radiation and lead aprons to protect the child. In addition, they will use the right type and dosage of anesthesia for a pain-free and safe extraction. If it is not an emergency, the dentist will schedule a procedure at the safest time, the second trimester.
Contact us at Precision Dentistry if you have wisdom tooth pain. Our dental team practices proper caution for you and the fetus during the extraction process. In addition, we will guide you through recovery to ensure you heal fast without any complications.