Dentist nightmare

brandypinky22 · June 2015

Has anyone else been to the dentist for a cleaning since expecting? I went today and ouch! I told the hygienist I am pregnant and my gums have been bleeding a lot and apparently that meant she needed to scape everything as hard as she could. I looked in the mirror and was horrified it looked like I had been punched. Luckily mouths heal quickly and they prescribed some mouthwash to help me heal.

Kbhunter · June 2015

Yea it's not fun getting a cleaning during pregnancy. The gums have estrogen receptors and just get really sensitive they have an exaggerated response to the bacteria causing more inflammation.
I have a cleaning in a couple weeks and I'm not excited.
I'm a hygienist myself and I try to keep them up but it is still going to suck. X_X

millette2015 · June 2015

Ouch! Haven't been since being pregnant, but I can feel your pain! Hope your gums heal soon!

amberrmariee20 · June 2015

Ever since I got pregnant my gums have been bleeding a lot too. I refuse to go get a cleaning until after the baby. They are very rough when doing cleanings as it is, couldn't imagine getting one done during pregnancy.

alinic916 · June 2015

Ouch! So sorry! I had mine cleaned about a month ago with no problems. Ended up having to get a cavity filled though. That wasn't fun, but not the worst one I've h

nsaid4u · June 2015

Im staying far away from the dentist while im pregnant....between doctors appointments (every 4 weeks) and ultrasounds (i have had 5 already during this pregnancy) i am not interested in dealing witH any other doctors or appointments.

megsie3102 · June 2015

I know they say it's so important to go to the dentist while pregnant but the one thing that still makes me dry heave is when I am brushing my teeth or flossing, so basically hands in my mouth. I just don't see it going well..

jegoffin · June 2015

This post makes me sad! I'm also a hygienist and if you see your hygienist for regular appointments, and you don't have gum disease, there's no reason why it should be painful! It may not be the most fun thing you'll do all day, but it shouldn't be awful. I take a lot of pride in making sure my patients have the most comfortable visits possible.

PSA: oral health is very important for your baby. Gum disease can contribute to preterm labor and low birth weights.

beanie1977 · June 2015

That sounds terrible!! Ouch!! I just went and it wasn't bad at all. I'm using a sonicare and water pick so I probably am ok in terms of dental health but she said I had a bit of swelling which is common in pregnancy. They want me in every 3 months instead of 6 until after I'm done nursing.

They are recommending I get a filling and crown fixed while ASAP which I really don't want to do. I'm thinking of avoiding it. I usually like "laughing gas" and don't want it while pregnant - though my doctor did give permission. My dentist said if it gets worse and I need a root canal I'll be pretty miserable and they won't be able to take X-rays or anything while pregnant. Maybe the hygienists have thoughts on this?

jegoffin · June 2015

Hygienist here: I wouldn't get the laughing gas and I'm surprised your doc ok'd it. I would get the necessary treatment done. As a 3rd time mom-I can guarantee that it'll be 6 months before you even think about getting it taken care of and it may be too late then.

brandypinky22 · June 2015

jegoffin said:
This post makes me sad! I'm also a hygienist and if you see your hygienist for regular appointments, and you don't have gum disease, there's no reason why it should be painful! It may not be the most fun thing you'll do all day, but it shouldn't be awful. I take a lot of pride in making sure my patients have the most comfortable visits possible.

PSA: oral health is very important for your baby. Gum disease can contribute to preterm labor and low birth weights.

This is good to know! I have very good oral hygiene, no gum disease, and never had a cavity. It was a different hygienist then I've had before so I think that and the combo of extra sensitivity, hormones and such made it so bad.

amberrmariee20 · June 2015

jegoffin said:
This post makes me sad! I'm also a hygienist and if you see your hygienist for regular appointments, and you don't have gum disease, there's no reason why it should be painful! It may not be the most fun thing you'll do all day, but it shouldn't be awful. I take a lot of pride in making sure my patients have the most comfortable visits possible.

PSA: oral health is very important for your baby. Gum disease can contribute to preterm labor and low birth weights.

I didn't see a dentist while I was pregnant with my son, he was born 9 lbs 7 oz, and at 39 weeks 5 days. I also don't have gum disease.
However I have very sensitive teeth, and ever since becoming pregnant my gums will bleed a ton and swell more than usual. My doctor said its normal and almost half of pregnant woman have this problem. When I had my last cleaning done it hurt like anything. She was super rough, so I refuse to go while pregnant. Ouch.

casserole27 · June 2015

Yikes. I am overdue for a dentist visit. Not looking forward to it but I know if I don't go before baby it'll be way too long when I go again.

megggles · June 2015

Just had a teeth cleaning and while I bled slightly more than usual and it was slightly more uncomfortable, it really wasn't terrible and I'm glad I didn't wait. I figure, if I wait another 6 months they'll have a lot more to scrape outta there and it'll be a lot more uncomfortable! Sorry you had such a rough experience. I don't think it has to be that way!

furelise93 · June 2015

Yowzas! I have my routine check-up/cleaning at my dentist soon... I hope it isn't bad. :-/

Amberena · June 2015

I'm currently 23 weeks pregnant and a 3rd year dental student. DEFINITELY get your teeth cleaned and checked out while you're pregnant! When your teeth need to be cleaned, you have a build-up of bacteria in your mouth. The longer between cleanings, the more harmful bacteria you have. When you finally get to kiss that beautiful baby you're carrying, you're going to share all of those nasty bugs with them, and basically set them up on their oral health path. The more bugs they pick up early, the more likely they are to have cavities and gum disease later in life.

And if the cleaning hurts, ask your hygienist to ease up. Blame it on being pregnant.

alexazen · June 2015

My insurance covers cleanings/visits twice a year when you're not pregnant, and three times a year when you are pregnant, so I'm wondering how so many of you ladies have gone so long without inevitably getting a cleaning at some point during your pregnancy? I floss daily and it sucks to have sensitive and bleeding gums, but oral health is so important! I have already used two of my cleanings this year and plan on using my third in august while I'm still pregnant.

lanaloulittle · June 2015

My dentist and hygienist told me to call my insurance to see if they would cover an extra cleaning since I am pregnant. I am still debating on it, but have my regular cleaning in July and won't be missing it. I don't particularly enjoy the dentist while not pregnant, but my hygienist is amazing and I know she won't hurt me on purpose and if I ask, we can take breaks. She understands the pregnant woman since she just had her first almost a year ago. It's too important to skip them at all. And honestly, when you have a newborn, who has time to be thinking about going to the dentist for a cleaning? I know that will be the least of my worries so it could end up being too long between appts for me.

2ndxmom1stxdad · June 2015

I went at 19 wks, luckily my dentist knows all about me being pregnant as he and his wife had issues conceiving too. He and his staff are extremely gentle and caring. I didn't have any pain, bleeding or soreness after. My dentist told me to make sure to floss daily so that it's not especially uncomfortable when I go in and have them clean my teeth.

Chirorocks15 · June 2015

I actually can't wait to get to the dentist on the 17th! I tore my gum really close to my bottom front incisor, and yikes it hurts so bad. These extra doses of hormones on board certainly don't help with dental hygiene.

Ericawengerd · June 2015

Yes I dread dentist appoinments

mrsrutledge87 · June 2015

I am also in the dental field, I make sure to go for my cleanings more often to make sure my gums stay healthy! The biggest piece of advice I can give to make the experience better is to communicate with your hygienist. Let her know if it's too painful , at our office we will offer numbing gels to make the cleaning more comfortable!!

Littlehummingbird · June 2015

I had one in Feb, so I was only 5-6 weeks pregnant and it was the same as all my other visits. I'm scheduled for my next one in August. I always look forward to my check-ups! I haven't noticed increased sensitivity/bleeding, so I'm hoping it goes well!

Want a personalized experience?

Dentist nightmare

Re: Dentist nightmare

Choose Another Board

Search Boards