anyone have a problem seeing a dentist?

meg1974 · April 2009

I haven't seen a dentist in a while because of issues I had with my insurance plan. I want to get a cleaning now, since my gums are more susceptible to infection due to pregnancy. I've been calling dentists, but none of them will see me because I don't want to have x rays. They say they can't do a cleaning without them. One even told me there is a law about it.

I realize it's fine for pregnant women to have dental x rays, and my doctor confirmed that, but I'm still not comfortable doing them.

Has anyone else had this problem?

jhelly77 · April 2009

I've never heard of such a law. I just went to my dentist yesterday and they didn't even offer me xrays since I'm pregnant. Although I was going to get them if they offered... the amount of radiation is VERY small.

christin3580 · April 2009

I have had the same dentist for awhile... well since i was 8 lol BUT...... She asked me in December if I wanted and Xray I said I might be pregnant but I dont know... She was like well its technically safe. But from her stand point she said she would be the one to worry the whole time if the xray was what had caused anything to happen.. I opted not to get it...

I know that doesnt help much.

mrs. remy · April 2009

something about that doesnt sound right. I had a cleaning in January. They made it a point to hold off on my x-rays until after the baby was born. And they brought that up, not me. Maybe its because they had my old x-rays in my file, and you going to a new place they would not?? I don't know.

fairychick77 · April 2009

That's really strange...I had a cleaning at 8 weeks and I was due for x-rays and it was no problem when I told them that I was pregnant. Have they asked you when you call to make an appointment if you are pg? If not, I would make the appointment, not mention you're pg and just refuse the x-rays when you go in......I can't see them not continuing with the exam because of that.

Ali22 · April 2009

I haven't heard of that either. When I went to the dentist a few months ago I just told them I was pregnant and they were the ones who said we'd wait to do x-rays until after the baby is born. I don't blame you though, I am not comfortable with x-rays right now either. Did you tell them that you are pregnant and would just like a cleaning and exam?

peppermintgirl · April 2009

I can't find a dentist to see me. I have bad teeth anyway (my sinuses drain onto my teeth), and I couldn't afford to start working on them until I got on my husband's insurance. Of course, less than a month after that, I got pregnant. Now no dentist in town will see me because they're worried that something will happen with the baby after getting work done, and I'll sue them. Too bad dental problems usually just get worse during pregnancy.

I've never heard a law that says you have to have X-rays to get a cleaning. In fact, I'm willing to bet that's a complete fabrication. They may want you to get them done so that they can recommend other work that may need to happen in the future, but you're allowed to refuse anything that you want.

Kendall13 · April 2009

That doesn't make any sense to me. I hadn't been to the dentist in over 2 years before BFP. When I went in they asked me if I was going to do X-rays today and I told them that I was 12 weeks pg. I got the cleaning done without the X-rays.

I can't imagine why they wouldn't take you. That's BS.

DorothyShaw · April 2009

Maybe try a dental school?

sophie888 · April 2009

My dentist only does xrays once a year. Every year I have at least one visit without x-rays, so even when not pregnant I didn't always get x-rays.

miababy · April 2009

Never heard of such a problem! I got my cleaning and the doctor said he won't do xrays when pregnant unless necessary. Only if they find something concerning during the cleaning, should they need to take xrays.

whirli · April 2009

Every time I've switched dentists they have made me bring xrays from my previous dentist or had to do them there. Even if the xrays were a year or two old they would take them but they wouldn't see me without them or without getting them done. I think if it's a dentist you've been going to they will go from previous xrays even if you're overdue for them since you have a dental history there. So it sounds like OP's experiences may be completely normal. If you're really worried about your teeth right now and your doctor has okayed dental xrays it may be something to consider.

Here's what the APA says about dental work and dental xrays https://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancyhealth/dentalwork.html.

Best of luck to you!

LexiNemecek · April 2009

My OB gave me a note to take with me - it said that if they had to do x-rays to make sure I was "heavy shielded" - but the dentist said that he would rather just wait until my next appt (after I've had the baby) to do x-rays. But there was no problem with getting a cleaning...

Rahknight · April 2009

I made a new patient appointment and they are doing visual inspection and cleaning... no problem. And even if there is a problem (like a obvious cavity) they can fill it too. No xrays and hold off if possible for more invasive things....

i guess everyone is different

mrs_rodney · April 2009

I have a cleaning every 6 months. At my appt when I thought I might be pg, they said I wasn't due for an x-ray at that appt. At the next one when I was abviously pg, they didn't do one. They were just cleanings, no need for an x-ray. They only do the xrays once a year, so there are plenty of times that I go (pg or not) and don't have x-rays done. sounds like a loag of BS to me!

stever · April 2009

There is no such law. I went to my normal dentist and he said that he would never give a pregnant woman x-rays. Besides, I'm no dental hygienist, but I can't for the life of me see why they would need x-rays to clean your teeth.

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