What Are My Dental Care Needs During Pregnancy?
Dr. Andrew G. Mortensen is one of the leading dentists based in Fountain Valley. He offers some of the finest general dentistry and preventative dental care in the area, with a focus on total wellness.
You dental health can affect many things, and not just our confidence and the beauty of your smile. Good dental health can also impact pregnancy and childbirth to a certain degree.
Dental Health and General Wellness Are Linked
You dental wellness is linked to your general health and vice versa. Sometimes a general health issues may involve dental health symptoms, and your dental health can also contribute to a number of general wellness woes.
In essence, this is just a reminder that total wellness is always for the best when it comes to having a healthy and beautiful smile and being your very healthiest as well. These are important things to consider when you are pregnant since maintaining good health and wellness means a better chance of a problem-free pregnancy and a healthy baby.
Visit the Dentist Regularly If You Are Working on a Family
If you are actively trying to become pregnant or have just gotten pregnant, it's a good idea to meet with your dentist. This will allow you to go over any dental health issues that may be ahead, and to undergo any major dental work before you are to far along in your pregnancy. Similarly, visiting your general practitioner is a good idea as this will allow you to have your various health concerns addressed as soon as possible.
Dental Care Needs During Pregnancy
During pregnancy, pregnant patients should attend all regular dental visits as scheduled. This will allow the patient to undergo basic cleanings and have other general dental care matters addressed in a timely fashion. During these visits, it's a good idea for patients to discuss any medications they are taking as well as any dietary supplements, as both can have some affect on dental health.
Patients should also feel free to ask any questions about their dental health concerns and express any concerns as well.
Will I need to have any dental x-rays taken while pregnant?
Generally no.
While the radiation from dental x-rays is quite low, we will avoid taking dental x-rays during a woman's pregnancy as a precaution. This is just a means of ensuring a healthy baby. The only time an x-ray will be taken will be if there is a pressing dental health emergency that affects the wellness of the mother and child.
Will I need to undergo major dental treatment during pregnancy?
Again, generally no.
Major dental procedures are best performed before pregnancy or in the early stages of pregnancy. If a woman is in her second trimester or beyond that, dentists will play it by ear. Generally major dental work or oral surgeries will be avoided until after the patient has given birth unless there is some kind of serious health and urgent health issue.
When should I bring my baby to the dentist for the first time?
It's a good idea for parents to bring their baby to the dentist for the first time within six months of the emergence of the first tooth. This will help get a dental record started and parents will get some good advice on how to ensure great dental health for their child starting at an early age
Learn More About Your Dental Care Options
For more information about your general dental care needs and how you can have the healthiest and most beautiful smile possible, be sure to contact our cosmetic and restorative dentistry center today. Dr. Andrew G. Mortensen looks forward to your visit and discussing these matters in greater detail.