3rd Trimester

Dental Cleaning late in pregnancy???

I have been putting off getting my teeth cleaned since I got pregnant, but I figured I better go before the baby gets here. This sounds so silly, but it's ok to go this far into 3rd tri, right?? (Such a 1st tri question I know) Someone posted about gum disease and bleeding and the correlation to still born babies (I try not to believe everything I read... but ya know). My gums ALWAYS bleed when I go to the dentist. Plus, lying on my back for that long is going to be a PITA!! So, sorry for the silly questions. Anyone going for a teeth cleaning after 36 weeks?

Re: Dental Cleaning late in pregnancy???

  • You'll be fine.  Don't worry about your gums bleeding.  There's some talk about periodontal disease and premature labor, but I've never heard the stillbirth thing.  Both my parents are dentists and made it clear that this pregnancy was no reason for me to fall behind on my regular cleanings and checkups.

    Smile

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  • imageNeverKnew:

    You'll be fine.  Don't worry about your gums bleeding.  There's some talk about periodontal disease and premature labor, but I've never heard the stillbirth thing.  Both my parents are dentists and made it clear that this pregnancy was no reason for me to fall behind on my regular cleanings and checkups.

    Smile

    Thanks! I know I'm probably being silly, but I thought I would check! Plus... I hate going so maybe I am looking for a reason not to go, but I know I need toStick out tongue

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  • I'm not going, but that is because my gag reflex, which is normally super sensitive, has been CRAZY sensitive so going to the dentist would do nothing because they wouldn't be able to get in my mouth without me gagging!  I just made an appointment for afterwards and will deal with having a baby there....

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  • Yep, you are ok to go.  A couple of months ago I had a patient that was 36wks pregnant with twins, she did fine.   Just postion yourself to where you are comfortable, the hygienist should understand.
  • I kept up on my cleanings while pregnant.  The hygenist didn't lean me back as far and kept asking if I was okay and if I needed a break.  I do recommend that you tell them you are pregnant when you book the appointment and how far along you are.  My office required a note from my OB clearing me for the cleaning.

    Bianca image.
  • My dentist won't see me in 3rd tri unless it is an emergency. She doesn't want me laying on my back (not just me, it's an office policy). 

  • My next cleaning is scheduled around when I will be 38 weeks- my dentist said its no problem at all.
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  • you'll probably bleed alot but no reason why you can't get it done.
  • I have been going more frequently since I got pregnant, my dentist recommended it.  My only advice is to make sure they don't recline you back all of the way, I almost passed out once.
  • you'll be fine...i just had mine done this morning.  :)
  • imageBianca42:

    I kept up on my cleanings while pregnant.  The hygenist didn't lean me back as far and kept asking if I was okay and if I needed a break.  I do recommend that you tell them you are pregnant when you book the appointment and how far along you are.  My office required a note from my OB clearing me for the cleaning.

    Really?? I did tell them when I called I was pg and due in a month and they didn't say anything about having a note from my OB. 

  • I'm actually going on Monday. I've always read it's even more important to keep up with good dental hygiene when pregnant since gums are more sensitive. I'm not looking forward to lying on my back for that long either, so I'm hoping they're quick.

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  • I went yesterday! The dentist said I "gushed" blood but that was because of being pg. She just made sure to suction extra and have me sit up & spit more often. It's important to go since plaque feeds off pg hormones which is why I was bleeding so much!
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  • I would definently go...from what I have read and heard from doctors, the danger is in NOT getting your teeth cleaned, therefore leading to gingivitis. 

    I went at about 3 mo. which puts me at 9 mo. for my 6 month visit.  Yes, I bled more than usual but not a crazy amount.

    Oh, and the chairs are pretty cushioned, and also angled, so it is not like lying flat on your back for a half hour. 

  • No problem.  I am a dental hygienist and I have never heard of having a note from your OB.  The research is not that conclusive about gum disease and premature birth.  A lot of women will bleed a little more while pregnant, but just keep up with the flossing.  We can usually tell if the bleeding is coming from not flossing because there will be excess plaque under the gumline.  Inside joke of hygienists is when people say "My gums always bleed".  We think in our head "So you always don't brush and floss well".  LOL  I know though my oral hygiene habits were not very good that first month after my babies were born because you don't know if you coming or going.  Smile
  • I was 30 weeks when I went, and I just had them adjust the chair a bit so that it wasn't reclined so far back. It was fine
  • Agree with all the PPs and just wanted to add how important it is to go, especially b/c of the pregnancy. I have 2 friends who suffered horrific amounts of cavities and a couple root canals b/c the baby "sucked" the calcium out of them!  (At least that's what one friend's dentist told her.)  You have to really take care of your teeth while pg and post-pg or you can wind up with all kinds of problems.
  • I went a few weeks ago.  No issues or problems.  You just can't have x-rays. 

  • I have my cleaning appointment in three weeks.

    I just let my OB know I was going, and since I have a heart murmur, she wrote me a note okaying the antibiotic.

  • I had a cleaning last week.  I needed a note from my OB.  Being on my back in that chair was comfortable!
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