25 Aug Is it ok to have x-rays and dental treatment if I’m pregnant (or might be)?
One of the most common questions we hear from expecting mothers at our Center City dental office office has to do with dental x-rays. “Should I have them? Are they safe?” Beyond the x-rays, pregnant women often ask “Should I wait until after the baby comes to have dental treatment? Should I address this cavity now or later?”
Like many well-regarded dental offices in Philadelphia, we at Noble Dental base our clinical decisions on recommendations and guidelines from specialists in their respective fields. And while we’re not experts on pregnancy, our OB/GYN colleagues are. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, or ACOG for short, is the OB/GYN specialty’s premier membership organization dedicated to the improvement of women’s health.” In 2013 (and reaffirmed in 2015), ACOG released an opinion paper on dental treatment called “Oral Health Care During Pregnancy and Through the Lifespan.” (here’s a link if you’d like to check it out: goo.gl/TtAjjr ).
The paper provides a wealth of information about pregnancy and oral health in general, and about x-rays and dental care in particular. Here’s what the paper says:
- Prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of oral conditions, including dental X-rays (with shielding of the abdomen and thyroid) and local anesthesia (lidocaine with or without epinephrine), are safe during pregnancy.
- Conditions that require immediate treatment, such as extractions, root canals, and restoration of untreated caries, may be managed at any time during pregnancy. Delaying treatment may result in more complex problems.
While we can’t quite speak for all dentists in Center City / Rittenhouse Square, Noble Dental adheres to the guidelines this paper provides. Be assured that dental evaluation and treatment during pregnancy is not only safe, it’s recommended. And if you have any questions, we’re here to help. The guidelines are clear: dental care is what’s best for you and best for your baby.