Various dental procedures, including tooth extraction during pregnancy, are often questionable. Even though it is not uncommon for pregnant women to experience toothache complaints and require action to overcome them.
Toothache during pregnancy is often annoying, especially if the tooth is damaged and must be extracted. However, overcoming dental problems during pregnancy cannot be done carelessly. There are many factors that must be considered, including the increase in hormones in the body which can cause the gums to swell, bleed, and become prone to infection around the teeth or in the oral cavity.
Is it Safe to Have Tooth Extractions During Pregnancy?
There are several dental disorders that often occur during pregnancy such as gingivitis, cavities, or infection of the gums. The severity of this condition varies, some are mild, some are severe. If the tooth decay experienced is severe enough, it is not impossible for the doctor to recommend extracting teeth during pregnancy in order to overcome the problems experienced.
Basically, tooth extraction and other dental procedures are the safest to do after the mother gives birth. However, if you are forced to extract a tooth, this procedure should be done when the gestational age enters the second trimester of pregnancy. This procedure is not recommended to be performed in the third trimester of pregnancy, because pregnant women will find it difficult to sleep on their back for a long time.
In addition, delaying tooth extraction can help reduce the risk of pregnancy disorders that may occur. Some of the feared risks due to tooth extraction during pregnancy are premature birth, birth defects, underweight babies, or even miscarriage.
In addition to medical procedures, the use of toothache medication during pregnancy should not be arbitrary. Therefore, excessive use of toothache medication is feared to affect the condition of the fetus. You should avoid taking toothache medication independently without a doctor's prescription, especially during pregnancy.
Maintaining Dental Health During Pregnancy
Maintaining dental health during pregnancy is very important to prevent infection due to poor dental hygiene. There are several steps you can take every day, including:
- Brush your teeth regularly after eating or before going to bed.
- Gargle with mouthwash after vomiting due to morning sickness.
- Check with the dentist regularly, especially if you have problems with your teeth.
- Avoid the habit of eating sweet snacks to prevent cavities and other dental disorders.
- Eat nutritious foods for the health of your teeth and the growth of the fetus in the womb.
Always consult a doctor if you experience toothache during pregnancy to avoid dangerous risks. Do not forget to tell the doctor if you are pregnant so that the doctor can provide appropriate treatment and medication. Tooth extraction during pregnancy will only be considered by a doctor for certain conditions.
