Knowing the Unknown: Tooth Extraction Pregnancy Risks

During pregnancy, a woman's body goes through drastic physical and emotional changes. While there are many much-talked-about subjects, some women don't know about how it changes oral health.

In this blog, we will talk about dental issues and tooth extraction pregnancy risks.

Also, you will get the answer to whether can you get a tooth pulled while pregnant.

Common Dental Health Issues in Pregnant Women

Your hormone levels rise as your baby develops, and you may experience toothaches and other dental problems, compelling you to search for tooth extraction pregnancy risks.

So, before moving to tooth extraction pregnancy risks, let's look at the most persuasive dental problems:

Dental Plaque: Pregnant women are more prone to encounter increased dental plaque due to hormonal changes. This plague may lead to dental decay, which requires tooth extraction.

Loose Teeth: Many pregnant women suffer from morning sickness, or nausea and vomiting, during the first trimester of their pregnancy. When stomach acid comes into contact with tooth enamel, it can easily lead to tooth decay because of the negative effects of improper brushing practices.

Bleeding Gums: Most pregnant women are prone to gingivitis during pregnancy because of hormonal fluctuations. Because of this, the gums become more sensitive to major dental issues and more painful.

Tooth Extraction Pregnancy Risks

It is true that many pregnant women have dental anxiety as they don't have information about the matter of "can you get tooth pulled while pregnant?"

Let's start with the first procedure included in tooth extraction procedures that scares women–dental X-rays.

1.Performing Dental X-rays on Pregnant Women 

To successfully perform wisdom tooth extraction procedures, oral surgeons require diagnostic X-rays.

Although routine X-rays should wait until after the baby is born, physicians concur that diagnostic imaging examinations are often useful. 

There is relatively little risk of radiation exposure to the developing fetus from dental X-rays because they do not immediately expose the abdominal region to radiation.

Furthermore, dental x-rays emit very little radiation—never enough to have a negative impact. 

Additionally, in an effort to reduce the hazards even more, oral surgeons take as few pictures as possible while protecting the mother-to-be and her unborn child with collars and leaded aprons.

In this step, you don't have a tooth extraction pregnancy risk.

2.Using Local Anesthesia 

In general, local anesthetics are safe to use while pregnant. So, if you think there is a tooth extraction pregnancy risk high in this step, you can relax.

The dental anesthesia relieves discomfort during the process by numbing the area surrounding the tooth that is being pulled. 

The dentist will take care to make sure you just get the minimal quantity of anesthesia as per your situation.

Another type of anesthesia that may trigger your concern about tooth extraction pregnancy risks is laughing gas or nitrous oxide

It is frequently used in various dental treatments. 

This type of anesthesia can effectively reduce pain during tooth extractions and has no effect on fetal development.

When Are the Tooth Extraction Pregnancy Risk the Lowest?

Oral surgeons try to schedule tooth extractions for expectant mothers during the second trimester.

Oral surgery during the first trimester of pregnancy may impair the fetus's growth and development. 

While tooth extraction is safe to do in the third trimester, expectant mothers may find it difficult to sit still for the duration of the surgery.

Every pregnant patient, however, has particular health concerns. Every pregnancy case is not the same; if there are complications in the client's case already, it's better to undergo the treatment after giving birth. 

Tooth Extraction Pregnancy Risks With Post-Treatment Methods

Acetaminophen to Alleviate Pain

Acetaminophen can aid with post-tooth extraction pain management and is generally regarded as safe to use while pregnant. 

However, it is best to follow the dosage instructions that the doctor provides to eliminate the likelihood of any kind of tooth extraction pregnancy risks.

If you feel like taking more medications to mitigate the pain, use a cooling pack instead.

After tooth extraction, you can lessen numbness and swelling by applying ice packs to the cheek next to the extraction area. 

To prevent direct skin contact, cover the ice pack with a towel or piece of fabric before applying it.

Related Blog: 18 Things to Avoid After Tooth Extraction in Canada

FAQs 

If the mother has periodontal disease, is the unborn child at risk?

Oral bacteria may have an adverse effect on the unborn child.

How long does it take to recover after a tooth extraction?

If you take care of your oral health by following a good diet and oral hygiene practices, you will recover in a day or two.

Can you get a tooth pulled while pregnant?

If the toothache is severe, you should go to a dentist. But, if you can wait till the baby is born, get the treatment after giving birth.

The Bottom Line 

This is all you need to know about tooth extraction pregnancy risks. Now you can answer the question: "can you get a tooth pulled while pregnant?" on your own.

For a successful and safe treatment, you can visit KWC Dental.

Our board-certified oral surgeons have years of experience treating patients. We can answer all your questions and concerns about tooth extraction pregnancy risks.

Muhammad Aslam