Anyone been to the dentist during pregnancy?

[Nat82]

Hi, just wondering if anyone has had a scale and clean at the dentist while pregnant? I went the other morning and didn't tell them I am 6 weeks pregnant.

They put the fluoride on at the end and I didn't know you weren't supposed to swallow any.

That night I got some bright red spotting and was wondering if it might be related? It didn't last that long and by the next day was just a tiny bit of brown and the day after that nothing. I feel so stupid for not saying anything to the dentist!

Thanks...

[Babyluv]

I think a general check and clean is fine but I've heard fillings are a no go because of Mercury. The fluoride you swallowed was probably so minimal. And there is fluoride in our drinking water isn't there?

[Ladylove]

I don't think many if any dentists use mercury fillings any more. Mercury was phased out a long time ago.

BTW when pregnant it is super important you look after your teeth and gums and have regular check ups. The danger to the baby of the flow on effects of gum disease far outweighs the unsubstantiated risks of things like fluoride. Before I fell pregnant I'd just finished intensive treatment for a specific gum issue and my dentist said that the toxins, bacteria etc produced through gum disease can do harm. So dental visits are more important than ever.

[helle]

The last two times I've been, I was pregnant. (but in the last trimester) they have only ever said no X-rays during pregnancy. I had a scale and clean the last time and it was fine.
Definitely no more murcury anymore!

[Kimbles01]

I had three parts of a root canal while pregnant (they knew). Part one included X-rays while I was 13 weeks along, as they are so focused and localised there is little risk. However they held off on another set of X-rays and finishing the job until after DD was born just to be safe.

[luna moth]

I go to the dentist MORE when I am pregnant, because of that whole bleeding gums thing. I went 3 times in DD's pregnancy - once at 12 weeks, once at 27, and then I had a wisdom tooth out at 30 or so. It could have waited, but I figured it was ideal to get it out while I had time to recover, and the dentist had no problems doing it.

Gum disease has been linked to low birthweight babies, so it's really important to be completely on top of your dental hygiene.

My dentist also only said no x-rays.

[Taurean]

I go at least once or twice during pregnancy - I just stick to my usual 6 month checkups so it depends when they are due. It's perfectly fine to go and highly recommended while you're pregnant. The only major thing to avoid is xrays. You should advise your dentist but from what you've said, you've got nothing to worry about. I would be 99.9% sure the spotting you experienced has absolutely nothing at all to do with your visit to the dentist

[surprised]

Dental xrays are ok during pregnancy. They are a very low dose, are pointed directly at your head, and your abdomen is covered with a lead apron (my dentist even used 2 apron just to be safe). I was told this by multiple sources, including Mothersafe.

I wouldn't worry hun. Enjoy your super-clean mouth!

[helle]

Dental xrays are ok during pregnancy. They are a very low dose, are pointed directly at your head, and your abdomen is covered with a lead apron (my dentist even used 2 apron just to be safe). I was told this by multiple sources, including Mothersafe.

I wouldn't worry hun. Enjoy your super-clean mouth!

My dentists said that too. But they like to err on the side of caution and they don't do them on pregnant women.

[surprised]

I was in the middle of a tooth implant so was unfortunately necessary to make sure it was all attached right!