Can You Get Tooth Extraction Done During Pregnancy?
Avoiding certain medicines while undergoing dental work can help reduce the risks.
shreeja pillai 
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In This Article
Food cravings and morning sickness are usual during pregnancy. However, the associated vomiting and increased sugar intake may leave your teeth susceptible to bacterial infection to the extent that you may require a tooth extraction during pregnancy.
We usually neglect the importance of proper oral hygiene measures and assume brushing our teeth once a day is sufficient. This leads to tooth pain and tooth decay, especially during pregnancy due to added causative factors. Although procedures such as root canals are considered safe for pregnant women, you could consider postponing them until childbirth or at least until the second trimester if there’s no emergency (1).
Read this post to know more about oral problems and tooth extraction during pregnancy.
Common Oral Problems In Pregnancy
Hormonal changes during pregnancy can give rise to new oral problems or worsen the existing ones. Also, changes in salivary pH and eating habits such as increased intake of sugary foods will enhance the tooth decay while pregnant (2). In addition to tooth decay, periodontal diseases are also caused due to bacterial infection of the gums and bones surrounding the teeth (3).
The various dental and periodontal problems that could arise during pregnancy are (4):
1. Pregnancy gingivitis
It leads to the inflammation, tenderness, and swelling of the gums. Also, your gums may bleed when you brush or floss. You need to see a dentist to avoid severe gum diseases. The dentist may recommend frequent dental cleanings to prevent any infection (5).
2. Tooth decay
Cavities are one of the most common dental problems during pregnancy. One of the reasons for tooth decay is the increased intake of carbohydrates. Secondly, morning sickness can increase the acid level in your mouth, wearing away the teeth enamel and thus lead to tooth decay (5).
3. Pregnancy tumors
Pregnancy tumors often develop during the second trimester. The red raspberry-like tumors are the swellings resulting from the overgrowth of tissues between teeth, and they bleed. One of the reasons for the tumors is an excess plaque. They could subside after your delivery.
However, in certain cases of dental problems, your dentist might ask you to get the tooth extracted to avoid further damage (6).
Tooth Extraction During Pregnancy
If you have an infected tooth with intense pain, then it may be necessary to extract that tooth. Also, periodontal problems may lead to loosening of teeth owing to the loss of bone support. Such cases might warrant tooth extraction. Your doctor will recommend tooth extraction if it is necessary (7).
Before getting the teeth removed, make an informed decision by looking for the symptoms.
Symptoms That Necessitate Tooth Extraction
If you are having these problems, it could be the right time for you to get the tooth extracted:
- Acute pain in gums and tooth
- Infected or decayed tooth
- Difficulty in eating food
- Swollen gums
- Difficulty in talking
- Gum bleeding
Though the dental problems can arise at any time in your pregnancy, you may have to wait for the right time to get your tooth removed.
Do not go for teeth whitening or any cosmetic procedures during pregnancy. At the same time, do not postpone cavity fillings, cleaning, or crowns (8).
When Can You Get Your Tooth Extracted During Pregnancy?
The best time for tooth extraction is during the second trimester (9). Read on for more.
First trimester
Dental procedures are usually not carried out during the first trimester unless it is an emergency. The period from the third to the eighth week is the time when critical organs develop in the baby. Any medications or stress due to tooth extraction can impact the fetus growth (7).
Second trimester
The second trimester is the safest period for tooth extraction (1) (9). By this time, the fetus must have grown considerably.
However, the dentist takes several measures to make you feel comfortable and avoid any problems:
- While carrying out the procedure, if you fall into syncope (partial or temporary loss of consciousness due to fall in blood pressure), then you are turned on to your left to mitigate the pressure.
- When you are seated in a supine or reclined position, it could result in supine hypotension syndrome (decrease in blood pressure) due to the pressure exerted by the fetus on inferior vena cava (a large vein). Therefore, your dentist keeps your right hip elevated to 10 to 12cm on the dental chair (7).
Third trimester
It becomes difficult for you to sit for a long time in the same position. This, in turn, makes you uncomfortable.
If you are in severe pain and tooth extraction becomes inevitable, then the first month of the last trimester could be the ideal time to carry it out.
While basic treatments, such as tooth extraction, can be done during pregnancy, advanced treatments are generally avoided (7).
But are the dental procedures safe during pregnancy?
Tooth Extraction: Safety Of Dental Procedures While Pregnancy
Removal of the tooth involves taking X-rays and administering anesthesia. Let’s see how safe they are.
- X-rays: Tooth extraction would require an X-ray to locate the affected tooth and identify the extent of the decay. During this, a lead apron sheet is used to cover the upper part of the body of the patient to avoid any side-effects of the radiation to the fetus (10).
- Anesthesia: Before tooth extraction, the patient is given local anesthesia — usually Lidocaine or Novocaine. It is a Category B drug, which means it is safe to use during pregnancy. The anesthesia enters the placenta but gets filtered out before reaching the fetus. Your dentist may give you a lesser dose than normal. You can cooperate with him by being calm and stress-free (11).
According to the Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA), it is safe for pregnant women to undergo dental treatment with local anesthetics (12).
Study author Aharon Hagai, DMD, says, “Our study identified no evidence to show that dental treatment with anesthetics is harmful during pregnancy, and yet so many pregnant women avoid going to the dentist.
“We aimed to determine if there was a significant risk associated with dental treatment with anesthesia and pregnancy outcomes. We did not find any such risk.”
In any case, routine dental health procedures should be accomplished before conception in planned pregnancies and during the middle trimester in unplanned pregnancies. Since both you and your baby will receive the treatment, it is important to consult your gynecologist before starting any procedures or medication.
The doctor is likely to avoid any treatment methods or medications that could put the fetus at risk, especially in women who want to conceive or may have already conceived. Unless necessary, oral and maxillofacial surgeons may not go for elective surgery for pregnant patients.
However, they may go ahead with the treatment in emergency cases that involve infection, trauma, and pathology. Any active treatment here must aim at optimizing maternal health without putting the fetus at risk (1).
Safety of medicines used during dental procedures (11):
- Antibiotics and pain medications: Your dentist may prescribe penicillin, amoxicillin, and clindamycin that are safe during pregnancy. Erythromycin is also safe, but it is prescribed if the patient’s stomach can withstand it. If you are allergic to any of these medicines, talk to your doctor and ask them for an alternative.
- Pain medications: Post extraction, the area in your mouth would be painful for a few days. You may use opioid pain medications (codeine, hydrocodone, etc.) on the dentist’s prescription.
It is recommended not to use over the counter pain medications without prescriptions to treat dental pain during pregnancy, since it may cause adverse effects to the fetus (13).
Medicines To Avoid For Dental Work During Pregnancy
- Do not take tetracycline (tetracycline, minocycline, doxycycline) either as a pill or topical formulation because the drug could stain your baby’s teeth (14).
- You should also avoid fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin) (15).
- During pregnancy, teratogenic drugs like thalidomide and some retinoids are not used as they may cause abnormalities, such as palate and cleft lips, in the baby (16).
Do not go for elective treatments such as teeth whitening or any cosmetic procedures during pregnancy. At the same time, do not postpone dental work such as cavity fillings, cleaning, or crowns (17).
But what if your wisdom tooth has to be removed?
Wisdom Tooth Pain And Extraction During Pregnancy
During pregnancy, you could experience unmanageable wisdom tooth pain due to gum problems. Factors such as plaque buildup, abnormal growth of the tooth, or infections may lead to wisdom tooth pain.
In case of severe pain and tooth decay, a wisdom tooth is removed just like any other tooth.
How Can You Prevent Dental Work During Pregnancy?
Some precautions can help you stay away from any dental problems during pregnancy. Here is how you can keep your teeth healthy (18):
- Go for regular dental check-ups and cleanings to avoid any deposits in the teeth.
- Cut down on sugary food, as it can cause inflammation or swelling of gums during pregnancy.
- Avoid using mouthwash that contains alcohol. Use ADA approved fluoride toothpaste or floss every day.
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss at least once. Use a soft brush to reduce the irritation of gums and linings.
- Avoid gum grafting or dental blings during pregnancy as grafting can lead to excess bleeding, and blings result in irritation or allergic reaction.
- In addition to other health issues, smoking also leads to periodontal problems. Therefore, stop smoking during pregnancy.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can a tooth infection hurt my pregnancy?
Yes, severe gum infections, including gingivitis, have been linked to premature birth and low birth weight. As a result, it is critical to have any dental problems diagnosed and treated while pregnant (19).
2. What dental procedures can be done while pregnant?
Most dental procedures, such as dental x-rays, fillings, root canal or tooth extractions, and dental cleanings, can be performed safely during the second and third trimesters (20). But, before you go to the dentist, consult with your OB/GYN. However, elective dental treatments should be postponed after birth (21).
3. Are there any risks to having a tooth extracted while pregnant?
Although tooth extraction is generally safe during pregnancy, it may impact your pregnancy due to the reason for surgery (22). Therefore, discuss with your gynecologist and dental surgeon before undergoing any dental procedure during pregnancy. Also, avoid any dental procedure during the first trimester (10).
A tooth extraction during pregnancy is dependent on the intensity of the pain and infection. Based on the factors, a doctor may advise an immediate procedure or request you to wait until the pregnancy is completed. While you can postpone tooth whitening and other cosmetic procedures until after pregnancy, you cannot ignore severe issues such as cavities and wisdom tooth crowning. Since the latter may hinder your food intake, getting them checked and treated promptly is better. Alternatively, maintain proper dental hygiene and consume less sugary foods to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
References
2. Blagojević D, et al.; [[Oral health in pregnancy].].
3. L. Tettamanti, et al.; Pregnancy and periodontal disease:: does exist a two-way relationship?
4. Sindhu K. Srinivas and Samuel Parry; Periodontal Disease and Pregnancy Outcomes: Time to Move On?
5. Oral Health Care During Pregnancy and Through the Lifespan; The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
6. Shailesh M. Gondivkar, et al.; Oral pregnancy tumor
7. Sophia Kurien, et al.; Management of Pregnant Patient in Dentistry
8. Teeth Whitening:: Candidates for Teeth Whitening Procedures; The Cleveland Clinic
9. Oral health; The United States Department of Health & Human Services
10. M. Hendra Chandha; Considerations of tooth extraction during pregnancy; Faculty of Dentistry Hasanuddin University
11. Oral Health Topics; Pregnancy; The American Dental Association
12. Aharon Hagai, et al.; Pregnancy outcome after in utero exposure to local anesthetics; The Journal of the American Dental Association
13. Ronald A. Black, et al.; Over-the-Counter Medications in Pregnancy; The American Academy of Family Physicians
14. Vijayasree Vennila, et al.; Tetracycline-Induced Discoloration of Deciduous Teeth: Case Series
15. Stephanie Padberg, et al.; Observational Cohort Study of Pregnancy Outcome after First-Trimester Exposure to Fluoroquinolones
16. Guillonneau M and Jacqz-Aigrain E.; [eratogenic effects of vitamin A and its derivatives].].
17. Hemalatha VT, et al.; Dental Considerations in Pregnancy-A Critical Review on the Oral Care
18. Teeth and gums in pregnancy; National Health Service
19. Pregnancy and teeth; Better Health Channel; Victoria State Government
20. Oral Health Care During Pregnancy and Through the Lifespan; American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
21. Pregnancy and Dental Work; American Pregnancy Association
22. N Çelebi, et al.; Acute fetal distress following tooth extraction and abscess drainage in a pregnant patient with maxillofacial infection; Australian Dental Journal
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