When it comes to wisdom teeth removal, many people are unsure if they can undergo the procedure while pregnant. While it is technically possible to remove wisdom teeth during pregnancy, it is generally not recommended by dentists. Instead, if it is possible to wait, patients are encouraged to remove their wisdom teeth either before or after pregnancy. This is because your surgeon will essentially be taking care of two patients in this scenario, which adds more factors to consider during the surgery and more ways to go wrong. In this article, we will discuss what current research has to say regarding the risks and benefits of wisdom teeth removal during pregnancy. We will also provide some tips to help make the process as smooth as possible!
What are the Main Concerns Involving Pregnancy and Wisdom Tooth Removal?
As a dentist or a doctor, you are always tasked with weighing the benefits and risks of any procedure. This is no different when it comes to pregnant women and wisdom teeth removal. When removing wisdom teeth in pregnant women there are now two patients to consider, the mother and the child. Doctors and dentists must now consider if either the surgery or the anesthesia could adversely affect the child growing in the womb. This is why, if a procedure can wait, dentists usually recommend that patients wait until after the pregnancy. Some questions that typically go through a dentist’s mind when making the decision to operate or not include:
Will Patients Be Able to Stay in the Dental Chair for Long Periods of Time?
During the third trimester of pregnancy, pregnant women are at risk of experiencing something called a hypotensive supine syndrome. This is when the enlarged uterus presses against the vena cava, a large vein that brings blood back to your heart. This is common when lying on your back for long periods of time, such as when you’re in a dental chair. When this happens it can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure, leading to dizziness and fainting.
To avoid this, dentists will have to position the patient in a semi-reclined position. This helps take the pressure off of the vena cava and allows blood to flow more easily. However, this might not be the preferred position of the surgeon performing the procedure. If you’re pregnant and considering having your wisdom teeth removed, be sure to discuss this with your dentist beforehand.
How Will an X-Ray Affect the Baby?
It is always important when taking a wisdom tooth x-ray to minimize the amount of radiation that a patient receives. This is especially the case when pregnant because the growing baby is also susceptible to the effects of radiation. If your dentist decides that an x-ray is necessary, they will take extra precautions to make sure that the baby is not exposed to too much and also make sure to perform an x-ray as few times as possible.
Could Local Anesthetics Affect the Baby?
Local anesthetics are used to numb the area where a wisdom tooth is being removed. These drugs are able to cross the placenta which has led to some concerns that they can cause adverse effects on the fetus. However, the most commonly used local anesthetic, lidocaine, is considered to be relatively safe. The use of vasoconstrictors such as epinephrine can also help to reduce the risk of toxicity. Overall, local anesthetics are considered safe for use in pregnant women.
Can Other Anesthetics Affect the Baby?
In cases where a patient may be anxious about their surgery, more powerful sedation techniques or anesthetics may be used to help calm them down. These include nitrous oxide, intravenous sedation, and general anesthesia. These techniques are considered to be safe for use in pregnant women. In fact, some of them, such as nitrous oxide, are even used during labor.
Can Pain Medication Affect the Baby?
It is very common for dentists to prescribe or recommend the use of pain medication after wisdom teeth removal if you are in pain. However, in the first trimester of pregnancy, there are some pain medications that should be avoided as much as possible. This is because some research has suggested that the use of some pain medication, such as ibuprofen (Advil) in early pregnancy, can lead to an increased risk of septal heart defects in the newborn. If you are pregnant and considering having your wisdom teeth removed, be sure to discuss this with your dentist beforehand. They will make sure that whatever pain medication you take is safe for both you and your baby.
Will the Actual Surgery Affect the Baby?
Wisdom teeth removal, like any surgery, causes damage to your body and requires a recovery period. As a result, it is generally best to wait to have wisdom teeth removed until after you have given birth. However, there are some circumstances where it may be necessary to have them removed while you are pregnant. For example, if the tooth has become infected and is causing considerable amounts of pain. In cases such as this one, it is possible to have the procedure done safely with minimal risk to you and your baby. However, in cases where the surgery is not urgent, such as for aesthetic purposes, it is best to wait until after you have given birth.
So Should You Remove Your Wisdom Teeth While Pregnant?
So can you get wisdom teeth removed while pregnant? The answer is technical yes. Current guidelines state that it is safe to do so, and there are ways to minimize the risk to both you and your baby. However, the real question is should you remove your wisdom teeth while pregnant? Often times both dentists and pregnant women are reluctant to do so out of fear that it might harm the baby. It probably won’t harm the baby in most cases, but if the surgery is not urgent, why take the risk anyway? If you do decide to perform a wisdom teeth removal during pregnancy it is generally best to do so during the second trimester.
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No two mouths are the same, and each oral situation is unique. As such, it isn’t possible to give comprehensive advice or diagnose oral conditions based on articles alone. The best way to ensure you’re getting the best dental care possible is to visit a dentist in person for an examination and consultation.
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