Pregnancy is a special time, and Dentist of Bixby Knolls is privileged to be able to help you with your oral health. We are committed to the health of you and your baby.
Dental care during pregnancy is safe, but we limit the practices that we do to optimize that safety. First, dental checkups and teeth cleanings are perfectly safe and recommended during pregnancy. It is also important to get dental work done that treats cavities and gum disease in order to reduce infection. However, we recommend skipping cosmetic dental work, including teeth whitening, until the baby is born.
We recommend scheduling any necessary dental work (such as dental fillings) during the second trimester. As the baby gets larger, in the third trimester, sitting in the dentist’s chair may be uncomfortable. If you do need emergency dental care, however, then it should be completed as soon as possible and not put off.
Diagnostic X-rays with appropriate shielding have been deemed safe for developing embryos or fetuses in the womb, however, in many cases it is OK to skip routine X-rays until after the baby is born. For emergencies, we may need to take a digital X-ray to perform the procedure. Digital X-rays actually use a lot less radiation than traditional X-rays.
Please talk to us about the pros and cons of medications and anesthetics during pregnancy. Common antibiotics such as amoxicillin have been deemed safe for pregnancy. However, some numbing medicines or anesthetics like Lidocaine may cross the placental barrier. Lidocaine, like amoxicillin, is “Category B,” meaning it is deemed safe for pregnancy through animal studies. We can try to use as little as possible and are happy to discuss other options with you.
At Dentist of Bixby Knolls, we are excited to meet your new baby! Babies should be brought to our Long Beach dental office at around 6 months of age, or when the first tooth starts coming in. We will do what is called a lap examination, where you will hold the baby in the lap while we gently examine your baby’s teeth and gums. After the first examination, we should see your baby twice per year for regular checkups and professional cleanings.
Before your baby’s teeth come in, you can gently wipe their gums with a wet washcloth. You should start brushing your child’s teeth when the first tooth erupts. Use a soft toothbrush and a tiny rice-sized amount of toothpaste. When you bring your baby in for its first examination, we will show you how to properly brush and care for your baby’s teeth.
Dentist of Bixby Knolls has extensive experience handling dental healthcare issues at all stages of pregnancy. Speak to our front desk staff for more information on how we can help you during your pregnancy. We will be happy to answer your questions.
If you need dental care during pregnancy in North Long Beach, contact us today at (562) 287-5175 to schedule your appointment at Dentist of Bixby Knolls.
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