Dental Emergency During Pregnancy

Dental x-ray during pregnancy?

I am 36 weeks pregnant and started to have a horrible toothache. I tried to make a dental appointment but they said that they will have to do x-rays to determine what's wrong. I read mixed facts about x-rays during pregnancy, so i'm not sure. I called my OB to ask her if I can have a dental x-ray but she's not in until later this afternoon. I guess I rather go for a month with a toothache than harming my baby, but at the same time, I want this tooth taken care of asap. Does anyone have any experience with this?
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I had to have a tooth extracted when I was pregnant and they done an x-ray first but they put a lead cover over my belly to protect the baby from the rays so I think you should be ok, I was in my early weeks of pregnancy and they told me that the lead would stop any of the rays hurting my baby. I was in real agony and I was so nervous when I was getting the tooth out because I was pregnant but my baby boy was born absolutely perfect and healthy. I'm sure that it will be ok to get the tooth seen to. Good Luck :0)
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1 comments:

American Dental said...

At 36 weeks you are usually safe to have an X-ray taken ( make sure the office you go to does digital x-rays which emit lower levels of radiation). However,my office always gets the approval of the OBGYN plus we double shield the baby with 2 lead aprons. The tooth infection is more of a risk for the baby than the actual dental procedures rendered. Your dentist should inquire about anesthetic to be used in addition to a follow-up antibiotic and pain medication preference. Contact your dentist ASAP to treat your dental problem. Hope you feel better soon! Dr. Steve Pleickhardt, Gainesville,Virginia