Can you use novocaine while pregnant

Pregnancy and dental work questions are common for expecting moms. Preventive dental cleanings and annual exams during pregnancy are not only safe but are recommended. The rise in hormone levels during pregnancy causes the gums to swell, bleed, and trap food causing increased irritation to your gums. Preventive dental work while pregnant is essential to avoid oral infections such as gum disease, which has been linked to preterm birth.

Dental work while pregnant, such as cavity fillings and crowns, should be treated to reduce the chance of infection. If dental work is done during pregnancy, the second trimester is ideal. Once you reach the third trimester , it may be very difficult to lie on your back for an extended period of time. However, sometimes emergency dental work, such as a root canal or tooth extraction, is necessary.

Elective treatments, such as teeth whitening and other cosmetic procedures, should be postponed until after the birth. It is best to avoid this dental work while pregnant and avoid exposing the developing baby to any risks, even if they are minimal. Currently, there are conflicting studies about possible adverse effects on the developing baby from medications used during dental work.

Lidocaine is the most commonly used drug for dental work. Lidocaine Category B does cross the placenta after administration. If dental work is needed, the amount of anesthesia administered should be as little as possible, but still enough to make you comfortable. Radiographs are considered safe for the pregnant patient, at any stage during the pregnancy. During pregnancy, women may be at increased risk for oral conditions such as gingivitis and dental caries, and should be counseled by both their obstetrician and dentist on the importance of good oral hygiene throughout the pregnancy.

Regular and emergency dental care, including the use of local anesthetics and radiographs, is safe at any stage during pregnancy. American Dental Association. Current Policies: Adopted Chicago: American Dental Association; Niessen LC. Women's Health. Second ed.

Oral health and dental care during pregnancy. Dent Clin North Am ;57 2 Systemic alterations and their oral manifestations in pregnant women. J Obstet Gynaecol Res ;43 1 Oral health care for the pregnant patient.

J Can Dent Assoc ;75 1 Food and Drug Administration. Accessed June 1 Accessed Oct. Drug therapy for the pregnant dental patient. Peabody Office Newburyport Office Lynn Office Gloucester Office Beverly Office Brookline Office Share this entry:. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.

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