Is Root Canal Therapy Safe While Being Pregnant?

Dental issues are something we all keep ignoring and stalling until the problem becomes serious. We think that we have all the time to get the treatment for the dental issues and undergo dental checkups. One of the most common dental issues that most of us have to face and undergo treatment for at least once is a root canal. For everyone, getting root canal treatment can be a part of normal dental treatment, but what if you are pregnant? Is it safe for you to undergo root canal treatment while you are pregnant? Sometimes, dental problems also arise because of the pregnancy and all the hormonal changes in the body.

But if you are pregnant and wish to get a root canal treatment, then be relaxed. According to expert dentists, it is completely safe and effective to undergo root canal therapy even when you’re pregnant. Besides this, you should understand that every woman possesses unique characteristics and has different pregnancy-related changes. So it is always better to consult dentists before you say yes to the root canal treatment. The dentists will explain in detail to you all the dental concerns that you might have to face while getting root canal treatment during pregnancy.

#1 You Would Have To Take Up Dental X-ray Tests: 


You might assume that without an x-ray the root canal treatment could be possible, but it is not so. With the help of dental x-rays, it would be easier for dentists to know whether you need a root canal treatment or not. So, having to take up x-rays tests is considered the greatest concern for a pregnant woman. Healthcare professionals would always suggest that a pregnant woman must avoid all sorts of unnecessary x-ray tests. So what should be done?

The reality is that medical science has improved a lot, and in today’s world, dentists make use of modern shielding while carrying out x-ray tests. With the help of modern shielding, the harmful rays would not reach the developing fetus and will not cause any harm. For that, you would have to let your dentist know that you are pregnant during the initial visits. They will ensure that the x-ray tests are conducted with precaution.

#2 Consider The Timing Of The Root Canal Treatment: 

It has been claimed by dentists that a root canal procedure on a pregnant patient is safe. However, in some cases, it does pose a slight risk to the development of the baby or the fetus. You should preferably get your root canal treatment scheduled around the second trimester, as it is the safest time to get the treatment. You cannot take the risk of getting root canal treatment in the first trimester because the fetus is in the developing stage and in a very delicate situation. And even the third trimester is not a good time because it won’t be comfortable to lay back on the chair for a long period.

#3 The Use Of Local Anesthesia:

In the root canal treatment, dentists would be using local anesthesia. But you can ensure that this anesthesia would be applied only to the area that would be treated and not injected into the body. So the developing baby would not be affected by it. The local anesthesia would be used along with epinephrine so that there are no side effects due to the administration of anesthesia.

#4 Intake Of Antibodies and Pain Medication After The Root Canal Treatment: 

After the treatment, you would have to consume pain medications to ensure you do not feel any pain or develop an infection in the gums or around the teeth. The pain medication intake is necessary because if the mother bears the pain for a long period, it will be stressful for the baby. This is extremely harmful to the baby. Even consuming multiple medications might be harmful. So you can consult your dentists and get a prescription for only necessary medicines. Besides reducing the pain, it is essential to understand that you must lower the exposure to these strong medicines as much as possible.

Summary:

During pregnancy, the body is undergoing a lot of changes that might have adverse effects on dental health. If a situation arises that you need to take up root canal treatment, then you must consult your dentist at the earliest. Let them know about your pregnancy and specify the trimester. The highly qualified and experienced dentist would completely understand your situation and organize the treatment by taking your pregnancy stage into consideration.

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