Can you extract wisdom teeth during pregnancy?
Years ago, dentists wouldn’t normally treat women during pregnancy. This is not the case today but pregnant women can still be confused when it comes to receiving dental care.
Routine procedures such as cavity fillings, crowns, root canals and wisdom tooth extractions are safe during pregnancy.
Local anesthesia, pain medications and x-rays while pregnant
One of the biggest concerns regarding pregnancy and oral surgery like wisdom tooth extraction is the effects of anesthetic and radiographs on the baby. Both a consensus published by the National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center and a study by the American Dental Association presented a variety of evidence to show that numbing agents, painkillers and x-rays do no present a considerable risk.
To minimize exposure, your dentist will use the smallest dosage of numbing agent required to make you comfortable and limit radiographs to what is absolutely needed. Should antibiotics be needed post-extraction, penicillin, amoxicillin and clindamycin are all safe for use during pregnancy.
Which trimester is best for wisdom tooth extraction?
We typically do not recommend unnecessary oral surgery in the first trimester due to the high level of fetal development that takes place during the first three months of pregnancy. For comfort reasons, wisdom tooth extractions should be scheduled during the second trimester. The third trimester is when it can be most uncomfortable for moms to sit for a long period of time.
If your wisdom teeth aren’t causing any complications, it’s likely best to wait until your baby is born to schedule your extraction. However, if you’re experiencing symptoms that you need your wisdom teeth pulled, such as wisdom teeth that are impacted, painful, or infected, it could be better to move ahead with the procedure. A consultation with one of our oral surgeons will help you determine the best path forward for you and your baby.
Postpone non-essential treatment until after pregnancy
Elective procedures or treatments that do not require immediate attention are best postponed until after delivery. Your oral surgeon and dentist will inform you if your needs are urgent in nature.
Routine checkups and cleanings should not be pushed back until after the baby arrives. Due to hormonal changes in your body, you will require more (and not fewer) cleanings during pregnancy to avoid tooth decay.
Always inform your oral surgeon and your dentist if you are pregnant and schedule an appointment at your earliest convenience to discuss changes in your oral care regimen during pregnancy.
