Pregnancy is one of the most exciting times in any prospective parent’s life, but it can also be stressful.
For a mother, keeping the baby safe takes priority. She’s watching her health, eating and drinking differently than she might normally, and maybe not doing the activities she’s used to. Many mothers might be worried about the possibility of dental procedures when they’re still pregnant.
Is it really safe to have a root canal while you’re pregnant?
A root canal is simply removing infected pulp from a dead or dying tooth, filling it with an inert medium and capping it with something that will hold that medium in place. It’s one of the most common dental procedures you’ll see performed, and one that even pregnant women might need performed.
Where the concern comes in for most mothers is the sharing of blood with the baby. Any drugs taken by the mother will in theory pass through the placenta to the baby as well, and many mothers and even dentists might be concerned about the possibility of unintentionally harming the child.
Thankfully, though, this isn’t the case.
Root canals are safe during pregnancy, and in fact may be necessary to remove infection or reduce the chance of it.
Anaesthetics are put into different classes based on how they affect the human body. The local anaesthetic used for a root canal procedure is considered a class B drug, which is safe for use in humans and should pose no danger to a child in the womb. Even though the drug may make its way through the placenta the higher volume of blood vessels in a developing fetus allows for greater diffusion, letting it dissipate without harming or unduly affecting it.
Extra care may have to be taken as far as concentration, but the drug is fine, and the procedure is fine. No mother should hold off on getting essential dental treatment because she’s worried about the safety of her unborn child. A root canal is a safe procedure to have performed during pregnancy.
Any non-necessary dental treatment can (and probably should) be postponed until after the birth, but if a root canal is necessary it can be taken care of. If you’ve been worried about the possibility of having this procedure done in the middle of your pregnancy, don’t be. Call us at our practice to find out more about the services we offer.
