Dentist

Jean&Crys · March 2010

Hi all!

So earlier I read a post about floride at the dentist. I was wondering if it was safe to have fillings done? Anyone know?

dixielane · March 2010

I might be having a root canal done, FWIW...

katie277s · March 2010

The only time you should go to the dentist is in the 2nd trimester. And as far as I know, fillings should wait until after the baby is born.

mopsie · March 2010

It's safe in terms of having anesthetic (Lidocaine/Xylocaine is safe). Canada actually has a law against placing amalgams (metal fillings) in pregnant women, but it's legal in the US. The issue is the mercury vapor when the metal is mixed... once it's in place it's not harmful, but the process of mixing the filling material causes some mercury to get in the air... I personally won't place any amalgams while I'm pregnant - I make my patients get composite (plastic, tooth-colored fillings) or go somewhere else.

There are even issues with tooth-colored fillings because they contain a chemical called Bis-GMA which contains BPA. It's not in high enough levels to cause harm to you or the baby, and the mercury in an amalgam is a LOT more harmful, but it seems like either option for a filling has controversy.

It's definitely better to have a tooth filled now during pregnancy than to wait too long and risk having it get infected and needing a root canal, because part of root canal treatment includes having lots of x-rays taken, which is even more harmful.

ETA: If it's a tiny cavity that's not causing you pain, waiting a few months til after you have the baby is also an option. Just keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn't get worse. If it's deep, I think it's better to have it filled rather than risking infection and pain.

Jean&Crys · March 2010

mopsie:

It's safe in terms of having anesthetic (Lidocaine/Xylocaine is safe). Canada actually has a law against placing amalgams (metal fillings) in pregnant women, but it's legal in the US. The issue is the mercury vapor when the metal is mixed... once it's in place it's not harmful, but the process of mixing the filling material causes some mercury to get in the air... I personally won't place any amalgams while I'm pregnant - I make my patients get composite (plastic, tooth-colored fillings) or go somewhere else.

There are even issues with tooth-colored fillings because they contain a chemical called Bis-GMA which contains BPA. It's not in high enough levels to cause harm to you or the baby, and the mercury in an amalgam is a LOT more harmful, but it seems like either option for a filling has controversy.

It's definitely better to have a tooth filled now during pregnancy than to wait too long and risk having it get infected and needing a root canal, because part of root canal treatment includes having lots of x-rays taken, which is even more harmful.

ETA: If it's a tiny cavity that's not causing you pain, waiting a few months til after you have the baby is also an option. Just keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn't get worse. If it's deep, I think it's better to have it filled rather than risking infection and pain.

Thanks so much! It's actually one of my fillings that got out and the pain wasn't too bad, but now it's starting to hurt at soon as I eat on that tooth. It's also one in the back so it's hard to not eat on it.

I'll call my dentist's office and see what they say.

MegT21 · March 2010

i called my OB last week before i went to the dentist. i've had 2 cavities for 6 months now, and she said that she would preferred me to get them filled. they weren't very bad, b/c they didn't have to drill that far. i had no pain meds, and it was completely fine. they were also the white color kind. my OB said that the benefits of it definitely outweighed the risks.

ask your OB.

dixielane · March 2010

mopsie:

It's safe in terms of having anesthetic (Lidocaine/Xylocaine is safe). Canada actually has a law against placing amalgams (metal fillings) in pregnant women, but it's legal in the US. The issue is the mercury vapor when the metal is mixed... once it's in place it's not harmful, but the process of mixing the filling material causes some mercury to get in the air... I personally won't place any amalgams while I'm pregnant - I make my patients get composite (plastic, tooth-colored fillings) or go somewhere else.

There are even issues with tooth-colored fillings because they contain a chemical called Bis-GMA which contains BPA. It's not in high enough levels to cause harm to you or the baby, and the mercury in an amalgam is a LOT more harmful, but it seems like either option for a filling has controversy.

It's definitely better to have a tooth filled now during pregnancy than to wait too long and risk having it get infected and needing a root canal, because part of root canal treatment includes having lots of x-rays taken, which is even more harmful.

ETA: If it's a tiny cavity that's not causing you pain, waiting a few months til after you have the baby is also an option. Just keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn't get worse. If it's deep, I think it's better to have it filled rather than risking infection and pain.

Why are xrays more harmful? (See my x-rays while pregnant thread from this morning)

My understanding is the xray done for a root canal consult is pretty minimal exposure...

dixielane · March 2010

mopsie:

It's safe in terms of having anesthetic (Lidocaine/Xylocaine is safe). Canada actually has a law against placing amalgams (metal fillings) in pregnant women, but it's legal in the US. The issue is the mercury vapor when the metal is mixed... once it's in place it's not harmful, but the process of mixing the filling material causes some mercury to get in the air... I personally won't place any amalgams while I'm pregnant - I make my patients get composite (plastic, tooth-colored fillings) or go somewhere else.

There are even issues with tooth-colored fillings because they contain a chemical called Bis-GMA which contains BPA. It's not in high enough levels to cause harm to you or the baby, and the mercury in an amalgam is a LOT more harmful, but it seems like either option for a filling has controversy.

It's definitely better to have a tooth filled now during pregnancy than to wait too long and risk having it get infected and needing a root canal, because part of root canal treatment includes having lots of x-rays taken, which is even more harmful.

ETA: If it's a tiny cavity that's not causing you pain, waiting a few months til after you have the baby is also an option. Just keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn't get worse. If it's deep, I think it's better to have it filled rather than risking infection and pain.

I sent you a PM, btw

KittahMama · March 2010

Who ever said you should only go to the dentist in 2nd trimester- I hope you meant for work to be done- regular cleanings can be done in 1st and 3rd trimesters no problems.
I had a cleaning when I was 7 weeks and another scheduled for May before she is born- just not getting the dental xrays. Dentist said it was good because your saliva increases during pregnancy and plaque can build up (which I have noticed). Getting the pearly whites cleaned is a good idea!

hawkeye21 · March 2010

I had a few fillings done on Monday (and go back next Monday for another noe). Both my doctor and my dentist (a woman with children of her own) recommended that I get my fillings done now rather than put then off. My dentist did say that the second trimester was the best time but that it was more that I would be comfortable, not that it was unsafe. However, she did say that I could wait to get a crown on a tooth that had a root canal this summer.

Beebee09 · March 2010

FWIW, I had a cavity filled at 17 weeks, my OB and dentist knew about it in 1st tri, but asked me to wait until the 2nd. My OB gave my dentists a letter about specific meds to be used, etc. I am glad it's done and no risk of infection or root canal!

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