During pregnancy, many changes occur in your body. Your mouth and gums may also react differently than you are used to. For example, gums can become more sensitive, bleed more easily, or become inflamed more quickly.
Many pregnant women therefore wonder if they can visit the dentist as usual, whether a treatment is safe, and if X-rays can be taken during pregnancy.
In most cases, dental care does not need to be postponed during pregnancy. In fact, it is important not to let complaints and inflammations persist unnecessarily.
Always inform your dentist that you are pregnant and how far along you are. This allows them to take it into account during examinations, medication, and any necessary treatment.

Is a dental visit safe during pregnancy?

A regular dental check-up can take place as usual during pregnancy. Necessary dental treatments can also generally be performed during pregnancy.
Do you have a toothache, a broken tooth, an inflammation, or swelling? Do not postpone a visit to the dentist just because you are pregnant. A dentist can assess the situation and determine which treatment is appropriate at that time.
Non-urgent or purely cosmetic treatments can sometimes be more easily postponed until after the pregnancy. This is assessed per treatment and situation.

Why can your gums change during pregnancy?

Due to hormonal changes, the gums can react more strongly to existing plaque during pregnancy.
As a result, the gums can become red or swollen and bleed more easily during brushing. This is also known as pregnancy gingivitis.
However, bleeding gums are no reason to brush less thoroughly. In fact, carefully removing plaque along the gum line is essential.
If your gums bleed regularly or are clearly swollen, it is wise to have them assessed by the dentist or dental hygienist.

Does pregnancy affect your teeth?

Pregnancy itself does not automatically cause cavities. However, circumstances during pregnancy can influence the risk of dental problems.
Nausea, for example, can make it harder to brush properly. Some women eat small snacks more often or have a greater craving for sweet or acidic foods and drinks.
Additionally, regular vomiting can cause teeth to come into contact with stomach acid more frequently. That acid can temporarily make the tooth surface more vulnerable.
Good daily oral care therefore remains important throughout the entire pregnancy.

What should you do after vomiting?

Do you suffer from morning sickness and need to vomit? Do not brush your teeth immediately afterward.
After contact with stomach acid, the tooth surface is temporarily more vulnerable. Brushing vigorously right away is therefore not advisable.
Rinse your mouth with water first and give your mouth some time to recover before brushing again.
Do you suffer from frequent vomiting over a longer period? Discuss this with your dentist. We can look at how to best protect your teeth during this time.

Are X-rays allowed during pregnancy?

This is a frequently asked question.
When an X-ray is needed to properly diagnose or treat a dental problem, the dentist can assess whether the image is necessary and at what time it should be taken.
Modern dental X-ray equipment works with a very low radiation dose, and the X-ray beam is focused on the area to be examined.
An X-ray that is not immediately necessary does not, of course, need to be taken without reason. Therefore, we always weigh the necessity of the image against the information it provides.
Always inform us before an X-ray is taken if you are pregnant or could be pregnant.

Can you receive anesthesia if you are pregnant?

When a dental treatment requires local anesthesia, the dentist can choose a suitable anesthetic and appropriate dosage.
Pregnancy does not, therefore, automatically mean that a necessary dental treatment must be performed without anesthesia.
Inform the dentist in advance that you are pregnant. Other medical details and medications you are using are also important to mention.

Which dental treatments can be performed during pregnancy?

Necessary dental care usually does not have to wait until after delivery.
A check-up, professional cleaning, and the treatment of a cavity, for example, can take place during pregnancy depending on the situation. Acute problems such as toothache or inflammation must also be assessed.
For a larger treatment that is not urgent, we can determine the most suitable time together.
The principle is not to avoid all treatment during pregnancy, but to determine per situation what is necessary and when treatment can best take place.

What if you suddenly get a toothache during pregnancy?

Toothache can have various causes, such as a deep cavity, an inflamed tooth nerve, a broken tooth, or an inflammation around a tooth.
In case of severe or persistent pain, do not wait until after the pregnancy.
Contact the dentist and mention that you are pregnant. The dentist can first investigate the source of the pain and then discuss which treatment is necessary.
Do not use medications during pregnancy on your own initiative. If you need pain relief, consult your doctor, pharmacist, or dentist if you have any doubts about what is suitable in your situation.

What about antibiotics during pregnancy?

Antibiotics are not standardly required for toothache or every dental inflammation. Often, treatment of the dental cause is what is needed.
When antibiotics are medically necessary, the choice of medication can take the pregnancy into account.
Therefore, always mention that you are pregnant and what other medications you are using.

Is professional dental cleaning possible during pregnancy?

Yes. When plaque, tartar, or gum problems are present, professional dental cleaning can be performed during pregnancy.
This can be particularly pleasant if you notice that your gums bleed more easily or have become more sensitive during pregnancy.
The dental hygienist can also assess where plaque is being left behind and provide advice on brushing and cleaning between teeth.

How do you care for your teeth during pregnancy?

Continue to brush carefully twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, paying attention to the gum line.
Where necessary, also clean the spaces between teeth with a tool that suits your teeth, such as interdental brushes.
Try to limit the number of eating and drinking moments throughout the day and be careful with frequent use of sugary and acidic products.
Do you have trouble brushing your teeth due to nausea? Feel free to discuss this during your appointment. Sometimes small adjustments can make brushing much more comfortable.

What if your gums bleed during pregnancy?

A little blood during brushing is sometimes considered normal during pregnancy, but bleeding gums usually indicate an inflammatory response.
Therefore, do not stop brushing when the gums bleed.
Instead, brush carefully but thoroughly along the gum line and have persistently bleeding or swollen gums checked.
The sooner it is clear why the gums are bleeding, the more specifically we can advise you.

Do you need to visit the dentist more often if you are pregnant?

Not every pregnant woman automatically needs extra dental check-ups.
How often a check-up or guidance is advisable depends on your oral health. If you have healthy gums and few dental problems, your usual check-up interval may be sufficient.
However, if you suffer a lot from bleeding gums, gum problems, caries, or other complaints, extra check-ups or guidance by the dental hygienist may be wise.
This is assessed individually.

And after the birth of your baby?

Good oral care remains important after delivery as well. If you had gum problems during pregnancy, it is wise to check how the gums recover afterward.
Additionally, the birth of a child can be a great time to start thinking about your baby’s oral care.
As soon as the first teeth appear, the daily care of the child’s teeth begins. Your dentist can provide advice on this.

Dentist during pregnancy in Leiden

Are you pregnant and would you like to have your teeth or gums checked? You are more than welcome at We Smile Tandartsen in Leiden.
Please mention that you are pregnant when making your appointment and state this again during your visit. We can then take this into account during the examination and any treatment.
Do you have a toothache, swelling, or another acute dental complaint during your pregnancy? Please contact us and do not automatically wait until after the delivery.

Would you like to have your teeth checked during pregnancy? Then make an appointment for a check-up or with our dental hygienist.