The NobleDentist Blog

Dental Check-ups Before Pregnancy

Posted in Dental Health Focus by Dion Kramer on March 31, 2006

This is part 18 in a series titled Oral Health Care – Conception to Preschool.

Why having a dental check-up before pregnancy is important?

Having a thorough dental check-up before pregnancy is certainly beneficial.

Some reasons are listed below.

  • The dentist can x-ray any areas of the mouth that need more detailed investigation.

  • Decayed teeth can be restored or extracted without the patient worrying about the effects of local anaesthetic on the baby. (Local anaesthetic is not considered harmful to the baby.)

  • The smell of dental materials and the thought of dental treatment in the early stages of pregnancy may be unpleasant if you suffer from morning sickness.

  • Pregnant women may gag easily when they are suffering from morning sickness. Tolerating dental equipment or unusual tastes in the mouth may be uncomfortable if you are concerned about gagging and vomiting.

  • Most dental treatment is performed with the patient lying in a supine position in the dental chair. As the pregnancy progresses, it is often uncomfortable to lie on the back for any length of time. Babies seem to dislike the position as the baby’s weight is pressing on the aorta and reducing the blood flow for mother and baby. The internal iliac artery supplies the fetus via the umbilical cord. If the dentist is made aware that you are pregnant, the chair and treatment position may be able to be modified for the client and baby’s comfort.

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