Is Sedation Dentistry Safe During Pregnancy?
Pregnancy is an amazing thing! You get to experience a love that you never thought could be possible. However, it is not always like a relaxing summer afternoon. A myriad of changes occurs during the nine months that can almost drive you crazy! Pain, discomfort, and the emotional roller costars are the order of the day.
Even though pregnancy is a wonderful experience, it often involves uncertainty and precaution. So that’s why pregnant women are high-risk individuals. For this reason, most people will ask about sedation dentistry near you and its effects when pregnant.
As you already know, dental health is still vital during pregnancy because preterm births and low birth weight have been linked with gum disease. Even though you have dental anxiety, you still need dental care.
But before we check whether sedation is safe, let’s know more about sedation dentistry.
Sedation Dentistry 101
Sedation dentistry is a dental service that uses medication to enable patients with dental phobia or dental anxiety to receive oral care. It can also be referred to as “anxiety-free” dentistry, “relaxation” dentistry, or sleep dentistry.
Different levels of sedation can be attained depending on the sedation method used. Our dentist in Middleburg dental clinic will examine you to determine the right type of sedation in your condition.
Our dentist offers dental sedation to patients who:
- Have a low pain threshold
- Need extensive dental work
- Are not able to sit during the dental appointment
- Have a sensitive gag reflex
The different levels of sedation available are general anesthesia, deep sedation, moderate sedation and minimal sedation. Additionally, you will have to choose between oral sedation, laughing gas and I.V sedation since these are the modes of administering the sedatives and anesthesia.
Is It Safe to Undergo Sedation Dentistry?
As mentioned earlier, oral health is important to your overall well-being, especially when pregnant. Therefore, you cannot ignore taking care of your teeth since there is a higher chance of developing gum disease when pregnant.
You should put off any unnecessary or extensive dental work until after delivery. The extensive procedures might require the use of stronger sedatives, which might not be good for you and your baby.
In most cases, dentists would prefer that you don’t use sedatives when you are pregnant. However, it all depends on the type used because some forms of sedation dentistry may pass through the placenta and affect the baby.
If you need to undergo dental work and need sedation dentistry near you, then you should wait until the second trimester. You need to also skip the third trimester since there is the risk of preterm labor. Some types of sedation dentistry are mild and will not affect the baby.
The Type of Sedation Therapy During Pregnancy
There are several types of dental sedation, each with varying potency levels. Some of the safest options during pregnancy are:
- Laughing gas: This is the mildest form of sedation even children use. Our dentist will place a mask over your nose and mouth to administer the treatment. When you breathe in, it will take a few moments before the sedative takes effect. The effects of the sedative wear off immediately when the mask is removed.
- Oral conscious sedation. In this case, our dentist will give you anti-anxiety medication orally. You will still be conscious and can respond to our dentist’s questions.
These sedation options will be safe for you and your baby. However, our dentist will not do it alone. There will still be a consultation between your obstetrician and our dentist to ascertain whether sedation dentistry will be the best option for you.
What About Risks?
We always bear in mind that pregnant women require special consideration. Diagnostic, preventive and even restorative treatments during pregnancy are safe. However, our dentist recommends getting the necessary treatment during the second trimester.
Also, pregnancy comes with other issues, such as pain and discomfort. So, we have to discuss what drugs are safe to use to reduce the risks. In a nutshell, some scenarios can increase the risks of fetal harm and preterm birth. That’s why we create a dental treatment plan that will suit your needs.
Our dentist is experienced in dealing with a sedative; therefore, you are safe. Contact us today at Susquehanna Valley Dental Group to schedule an appointment.