Pregnancy is a phase when women need to take certain precautions to protect the delicate health of the unborn child. Generally, doctors postpone most non-essential medical and dental procedures until after the baby’s birth. But this rule is flexible; individual circumstances differ. For example, dental cleanings are usually carried out as usual. So can you get your wisdom teeth removed while pregnant?
You can remove wisdom teeth while pregnant, if necessary. Your dentist will check to see if the surgery will pose any health risk to you or the baby. If the situation is not dire, waiting until after the pregnancy to remove the wisdom teeth poses reduces risk and may the best option.
Hormonal changes during pregnancy can leave you more vulnerable to dental issues, so it’s important to take your dental hygiene very seriously while pregnant. Always consult your dentist and your OBGYN to make sure any dental procedures are safe for you and your baby, regardless of whether it’s regarding wisdom teeth or another part of the mouth.
Can You Get Your Wisdom Teeth Removed While Pregnant?
Yes, you can get your wisdom teeth removed while being pregnant. However, if you aren’t experiencing severe symptoms, the tooth extraction doesn’t need to happen during pregnancy. It’s usually better to postpone the treatment until the baby is born to be on the safe side.
A dentist is usually concerned about the safety of both the pregnant woman and her unborn child. Because of the elevated risk, you should consider every option before scheduling any dental treatment.
When necessary, doctors take radiographs to assess the condition of the teeth. Doctors use protective aprons to protect the baby and mother from harmful radiation.
When Should You Have Your Wisdom Teeth Removed If You’re Pregnant?
If your dentist has advised you to have your wisdom teeth removed, you should do so before or after pregnancy.
Occasionally, wisdom teeth problems can be so severe that you can’t postpone extraction until after pregnancy. Luckily, you can still remove wisdom teeth during pregnancy, preferably during the second trimester.
5 Common Oral Health Problems During Pregnancy
Wisdom teeth aren’t the only oral health issue that might arise during pregnancy. Here are five of the most common oral health problems that could occur.
1. Thrush Infection
Thrush infections occur because of yeast overgrowth inside the cheeks and on the tongue. The most visible sign of a thrush infection is the appearance of milky-white patches inside the mouth.
Pregnant women are more likely to develop this condition than non-pregnant women. The reason is that the influx of estrogen creates an ideal breeding ground for yeast to grow.
2. Swollen Gums
Pregnancy causes hormone fluctuations that can lead to swollen gums and gingivitis. These hormonal changes can increase blood flow to the gums, resulting in painful swelling and increased bleeding when flossing or during a cleaning.
3. Wisdom Tooth Pain
Pregnant women often complain of wisdom tooth pain and sensitivity. Hormonal fluctuations lead to increased blood flow to the mouth. This increase in blood flow causes tooth sensitivity and tender gums.
4. Loose Teeth
High progesterone and estrogen levels can loosen the bones and connective tissues that keep your teeth in place. These high hormonal levels make the teeth feel loose.
5. Tooth Erosion
Morning sickness and vomiting may expose your teeth to too much gastric acid. This acid can cause damage to your teeth’s enamel. Morning sickness and vomiting usually occur during pregnancy. These symptoms are primarily common during the first few months.
5 Oral Hygiene Tips for Pregnant Women
Here are five oral hygiene tips pregnant women can follow to keep their gum and teeth healthy.
1. Brushing Your Teeth
We advise using a toothbrush with soft bristles, like the Nimbus (on Amazon), to brush your teeth. Regularly flossing and brushing helps remove plaque and keep your gums and teeth healthy.
If you’re unable to brush your teeth because of vomiting, rinse your mouth with baking soda diluted in one cup of water or take antacids. Rinsing your mouth helps lower the acid levels in your mouth.
Antacids are medications that assist in neutralizing stomach acid. This medication is generally available over-the-counter without a doctor’s prescription. However, do not take any medication, including over-the-counter medicines, without consulting your doctor.
2. Schedule A Dentist Appointment
Some pregnant women ignore dental check-ups because they fear something may happen to their baby. Unfortunately, this decision can endanger your child.
An influx of hormones causes your gums and teeth to become more vulnerable to oral diseases during pregnancy. Infection increases the risk of conditions affecting the baby and may even lead to a miscarriage.
We recommend visiting a dentist before and during your pregnancy for optimal dental health. Make it a habit to have your teeth cleaned regularly.
Even during pregnancy, ensure you see a dentist for a routine dental check-up every six months. Also be sure to inform the dentist that you’re pregnant!
3. Go For Sensitivity Toothpaste
Using sensitive toothpaste like Sensodyne (on Amazon) helps boost oral health, especially if you experience tooth sensitivity. Consider using home remedies such as clove oil for short-term pain relief if you have painful swelling.
4. Eat Healthily
Consider eating healthy foods like veggies and fruits, whole-grain bread and pasta, low-fat dairy products, and lean meat. Also, limit your sugary and sweet foods intake and replace sugary drinks with water. In short, eating healthy improves your oral health and provides essential nutrients to your baby.
5. Avoid Smoking and Alcohol
Pregnant women should avoid smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages for various reasons. When it comes to teeth, smoking increases the risk of mouth cancer, loose teeth, tooth decay, and gum disease. Furthermore, alcoholic drinks cause erosion of the teeth’s enamel leading to tooth sensitivity and pain.
