When should I schedule Dental Work During Pregnancy?

During pregnancy, a woman's body goes through a great number of changes. There are times, for example, when you will feel great. There are also times when you will feel horrible. The various stages and trimesters of pregnancy, while not exactly the same for everyone, tend to be better than others for certain events. For example, you're probably better off traveling during the first and second trimester (although you can travel, usually, right up until a couple of weeks before you are due). You will also want to think long and hard about when to schedule dental work during pregnancy.

Ideally, you should probably try to wait until after delivery to have any dental work done. However, there are certainly times where you need to have dental work done in an emergency, or at least when it can't wait during the entire span of your pregnancy. If this is the case, you should try to schedule dental work during the time that you will feel the best: during the second trimester.

Scheduling dental work during the first trimester is not necessarily a good idea because this is the critical time that your baby's vital organs are still forming. However, during the third trimester, it is not a good idea to schedule dental work either. During the third trimester, it can be extremely uncomfortable to lie on your back for extended periods of time, as you usually will need to do during dental work.

There are some other things to think about when scheduling dental work during pregnancy, as well. Make sure to let your dentist know that you are pregnant. Also, you will want to avoid certain types of antibiotics, such as those that contain tetracycline, during pregnancy. Penicillin and Amoxicillin, however, should be fine. Finally, if you need to have X-rays, try to keep these to a minimum. While dental x-rays are not thought to present any actual danger to you or to your baby, it is best to err on the side of caution. Make sure, also, that the X-ray technician knows that you are pregnant.

Each pregnancy, expectant mother, and unborn child is different. Your pregnancy may not progress the same as the information found here. The information here is based on the average pregnancy. It's not meant to be a replacement for any advice your may receive from your doctor. If you have any concerns about your pregnancy, we advise you to contact your doctor.