[Nikki.]

Has anyone been to the dentist while pregnant? Do they still do xrays and cleaning?

I hate the dentist, even if it's just for a cleaning. I can't skip this appointment because my son has his first ever appointment at the same time!

[Mama1234]

Yes to cleaning and any repair work necessary, no to xrays in my experience.

I hate the dentist as I am sure most people do. I especially hate it while pregnant. I went when I was a few weeks along and hope to wait until after the baby is born to go again. I religiously go every six months but will stretch it out in order to avoid a visit at 8+ months!

Good luck!

[angeleyes04]

Yeah my dentist won't do an x-ray either. If your dentist wants to do one, just tell him you would rather not until next time. I actually have a cleaning appt. on Monday and I'm not really looking forward to it. I go to the dentist religiously, so I force myself to go, even while pregnant. I think pregnancy can affect your teeth too, so it is important to go.

GL at the dentist and take lots of pics for your sons first visit!

[Sweetpea24]

yeah i went to the dentist once when pregnant, i think if i remember right they can only work on the teeth in the second trimester. They also did x-rays one me but they made sure i was well vested up.

[slyrket]

The whole reason I POAS when I did was because I had a dentist appt. I found out on a Saturday and went in on Monday. I told them that I had JUST found out I was preggers, and they skipped the x-rays for that visit.

I did however still have everything else done... the scraping, polishing, etc.

[foosdiva]

I had a root canal about a month ago. I had to have x-rays, but they double vested me. Totally safe...IMO. My Dr. wouldn't have let me do it if she thought it wasn't. She instructed them on what I could take (meds) and how much.

Wasn't a big deal.....except I'm TERRIFIED of the dentist. I usually take Valium before I go in with lots of gas....none of that this time, so I was a hot mess. lol

[Smashie]

Like others said, they'll skip the x-rays. I never have any trouble with the dentist, but I went during 1st trimester, and my gums were extremely sensitive. The flossing was hard to endure. But I told the hygienist, and she became much more gentle. Hopefully yours will be as nice!

[martilynne]

good luck at the dentist!

[*Kaelee's Mamii*]

about 2 weeks ago remember i had horrible toothache. went dentist they do exam n x ray did put double vest over me before took x ray....

a week ago i had exam and cleaning

yesterday had repair teeth

dentist always get ob gyn paper permission before they do fix mine

[1plus2plus1]

I went in the very beginning and am due to go again in Oct. They will probably skip the xrays unless they are absolutely necessary. From what I understand if you need work they will only do it during the 2nd trimester but cleanings are fine any time.

Your gums may bleed more than usual.

Oh and it is important to go and keep a healthy mouth, especially during pregnancy, because gum disease can send you into preterm labor!!

[SavaAngel]

The dentist I have been going with vested me a lot (went there when pregnant with AJ and this time) and only took quick shots of the sides - not a whole scan.

[jjc99]

Ok, this is your resident non-dentist person.

the amount of radiation that is released when taking a small radiograph (x-ray) is a very small the tube they put up on your cheek directs the rays. they really don't "escape" out. howerver, for the peace of mind, either ask the dentist to skip the xrays if it's just a cleaning - no actual work/repair. OR have them use 1-2 lead aprons. I know plenty of dentists that continued to work while pregnant, including giving x-rays. they might have also worn a vest, but it's more cuz of the nature of the clinic we worked in, not so much of the specific space they were in.

Pan x-rays (the one that goes around your head) will give off more radiation, but it's on longer, etc. however, you should be fin with a lead apron.

2nd Trimester and early 3rd tirmester are the best times for dental work. That's when it poses the least amount of risk to a devloping baby. I have seen Drs turn away women with toothaches late in the 3rd trimester, only cuz they were 1-2 weeks away from due date and didn't want something to induce labor. (usually the patient's anxiety, nothing dental specific)

When you are getting specific work done - cavities, root canals, extractions, etc - xrays will be required. Otherwise, they just don't know what they are working with and you don't want them working in there "blind". That can pose a greater danger than the xray.

If you are high(er) risk in the pregnancy, talk to you OB first. But as Kelley said, Oral hygeine is very important - all the time, but esp during pregnancy.

Now, may I ask - why are people so afraid of the Dentist? I have never understood this fear.

ETA - please remember I am NOT a dentist. I worked in a clinic/school for 6 years. I picked up a lot of information in my time there (observing, talking to the doctors, etc). And my main focus was patients in pain and who hated the dentist. But I am not a dentist. Just wanted to be clear!

[EVY&EGYsMommy]

Yup...went in July! Just a cleaning.

[KDD]

I went this morning for my 6 month cleaning. She didn't do any X-rays (I would have refused them anyway). I also refused the flouride treatment (the taste makes me gag even when I'm not pg).