How Should One Prepare for Root Canal Surgery during Pregnancy?

Root canals help save a severely infected or abscessed tooth from extraction. Anyone might need a root canal, including pregnant women, especially if they have untreated cavities or teeth with chips and cracks, allowing bacteria to create infections inside the tooth to result in severe pain, sensitivity to temperatures, pain when chewing, and a dental abscess.

Pregnant women might worry getting a root canal while pregnant can affect the developing fetus. In reality, obstetricians suggest postponing root canals after the baby’s birth. However, situations can arise that indicate delaying a root canal is more harmful than beneficial.

Pregnant women tend to worry about themselves and the baby without realizing they don’t need to focus solely on the baby because when their health worsens, it also affects the child’s health. For example, getting root canals during pregnancy has some risks, but they are relatively non-existent and don’t matter.

When suggested a root canal, pregnant women might wonder is a root canal safe. This article explains the safety of endodontic therapy and why pregnant women must not fear it if their dentist recommends it.

X-Rays before Root Canals

Pregnant women are generally concerned about x-rays that are required to assess the severity of the situation and the roots of their teeth. Unfortunately, they don’t realize the x-ray machine is pointed at the jaw and not the stomach ensuring the risk of the baby exposing to gamma rays is minimized. In addition, the dentist in Fort Valley provides a lead apron protecting the abdomen and neck from radiation while taking x-rays. The American Dental Association has also confirmed dental x-rays are safe during pregnancy.

Scheduling a Root Canal during Pregnancy

If the dentist near you suggests root canal surgery during pregnancy, kindly do not hesitate or refrain from receiving the treatment. Instead, inquire when you can have it and arrange the meeting for the procedure during your second trimester when you don’t confront challenges from nausea. However, do not try to postpone the treatment until the third trimester, when you might find it uncomfortable to sit in the dentist’s chair. Unfortunately, if you need an emergency root canal, whether in the first or third trimester, dentists can perform this procedure by encouraging you to have it immediately to prevent the infection from infecting your bloodstream and your baby. The risk of leaving your tooth untreated can worsen your dental and overall health while also affecting your child.

Anesthetics During Pregnancy

Root canals require anesthesia to block pain impulses in the mouth. However, dentists administer local anesthesia in the mouth considered relatively safe even for pregnant women. When experienced dentist performs the treatment, they administer appropriate doses correctly because endodontists are also concerned about administering anesthetics to pregnant women. Therefore they administer multiple doses of local anesthesia after giving you an initial amount to make you feel more comfortable.

Preparing for a Root Canal While Pregnant

Preparation is crucial when you schedule an appointment for a root canal during pregnancy. Although you receive painless treatment from the Fort Valley dentist, the effects of anesthesia wear off in 4 to 6 hours, making you experience discomfort in the mouth. Therefore before you head to the dentist for the root canal ensure that you stock your pantry with plenty of soft foods to eat during the procedure. Similarly, have someone accompany you to and from the dentist’s office as a precaution.

The dentist provides after-care instructions following your root canal near you to ensure you don’t endure severe discomfort. You must rest for at least a couple of days following endodontic therapy to prevent bleeding in the tooth. You don’t have to starve, fearing pain near the treated tooth. Instead, you can have soft foods to nourish yourself and drink plenty of liquids without considering beer or alcohol. You can ask your OB/GYN for a recommendation if you need pain relievers to alleviate your discomfort.

You can also use a cold compress on your cheeks to alleviate pain and swelling, ensuring you don’t extend this technique for over 15 minutes at a time. Finally, you can clean your mouth using a saltwater rinse three or four times daily to benefit from its antiseptic properties. While you can clean your remaining teeth by brushing and flossing, you must refrain from using mouthwash containing alcohol because it can delay your recovery.

If you must have a root canal during pregnancy Whitaker Family Dentistry recommends several preparatory steps and provides after-care instructions for quick recovery from a root canal. Consult the practice if you are in a similar situation to receive endodontic treatment that helps eliminate infections inside your tooth and saves your natural tooth.