Overview
Routine and urgent dental care are recommended during pregnancy. Many studies link the presence of periodontal disease (tooth and gum disease) to poor pregnancy outcomes, including preterm birth, preeclampsia (high blood pressure in pregnancy), and poor fetal growth.
Considerations
It is unclear if poor dental health causes poor pregnancy outcomes or is just associated with it.
Since poor dental health could cause problems for a pregnancy, it is recommended that all dental issues be resolved immediately while pregnant.
- Tooth cleanings should be done on schedule.
- Fillings should be done as recommended.
- Larger dental surgeries are generally recommended, if necessary. Discuss larger dental surgeries with your doctor.
- Cosmetic dental work (teeth whitening or caps) should be postponed until after pregnancy.
Risks
Most medications used for dentistry are safe in pregnancy, including:
- Numbing medications (novocaine)
- Pain medications, such as Tylenol or narcotics
- Some antibiotics (Check with your doctor)
The biggest risk to the pregnancy is ignoring dental problems.