Dental care during pregnancy

Whats the story about dental work during pregnancy?

Never had to bother with this before but one of my molars just broke in half and I can feel the pain of an exposed nerve.

For the last week I just thought it was a loose filling but obviously it was broken. The only reason it took so long to actually realise it is that I wear a plate as I lost a front tooth a few years ago and the plate was holding the tooth together.

Its not too bad at the moment but I havent attempted to drink or eat yet

I had A LOT of dental work (fillings) done while I was pregnant. I also had a tooth removed too. My dentist said it was ok but she said to have it all done in the 1st and 2nd trimesters. Not too sure why not in the 3rd but anyways. Oh except for xrays are obviously a no no.

I do suggest you do it asap though, before you get to the uncomfy stage

LOL that reminds me, when I initially saw the dentist, I threw up in the spit tray.   The poor nurse had to fish out my half eaten sandwich from it.

I had a broken tooth with my last pregnancy, they just put on that apron thing for the xray, used a local and pulled the bugger out. Had anti-biotics that were safe for baby to get rid of the infection that was around it. My dentist actually said they quite often have to pull out teeth from pregnant woman.

Renee - poor nurse

Tastic - The wrong tooth!! I would due them!

Well I rang the dentist this morning and have an appointment for Wednesday morning, she thinks they might just cap/cover the tooth and not have to pull it out which would be a relief.

t-rex...yeah that's the stuff:) I didnt know names either..in the end i had to get the grey:( but white is much more preferable..

Im a dental assistant (tho im on a break atm )

if necessary the dentist CAN do xrays , with a lead apron, but most prefer not to , as they don't know exactly how much of an effect it has on baby , in saying that tho , I would have been exposed to it a couple of times during pregnancy , and my baby is fine .

Get your tooth seen to as soon as possible, you don't want the tooth to become infected and spread to nearby teeth as well, second trimester will probably be more comfortable , but we did have patients come in at 40 weeks (that was always fun , I would just watch their stomach the whole time , waiting for baby to kick lol )

Renee, that reminds me of a time I was changing the water bottle by the basin and this old asian guy spat into my hair . I went home and had a shower . Im pretty sure you would have been a lot more apologetic than him too

lol thanks Kelly:)

Colee25 - when I was about 20 weeks pregnant last time my gums all began to bleed spontaneously. I went into panic mode and saw the dentist who said that all was fine but advised that I flossed twice a day and that sorted it. I have started flossing already this pregnancy as I so don't want that to happen again.

Dental problems in pregnancy are very common - in the UK you get free dental care in recognition of this fact and to ensure women look after their teeth. In the 'old' days I am pretty sure it was expected that you would lose a tooth every pregnancy!