Is It Safe to Undergo Tooth X-rays During Pregnancy? 1

Is It Safe to Undergo Tooth X-rays During Pregnancy?

PREGNANT WOMAN WITH BRACES

Is It Safe to Undergo Tooth X-rays During Pregnancy?

If you are an expecting mom and need to get a dental x-ray done, you may be questioning whether the process can be harmful. This is especially true for women nearing the end of their pregnancy. Read on to discover the facts surrounding tooth x-rays during pregnancy so you can make the best choice for you and your baby’s health.

Why You Would Need an X-Ray

An orthodontist may need you to get a dental x-ray for a variety of reasons. One leading reason is to determine whether or not gum disease is present. X-rays are also useful for detecting underlying decay. In some cases, x-rays can also aid orthodontists in determining other issues such as how well the teeth are lining up, bone loss and serious infections. Regardless of the reason why your orthodontist has requested that you get one done, you can be sure there is a good reason behind it.

X-Rays and Pregnancy

Up until recently, many people believed that x-rays were harmful for pregnant women. The logic behind this was that the exposure to radiation could lead to complications with the embryo or fetus. People assumed that serious birth defects or deformities would occur as a result.

Fortunately, this is not the case nowadays. In fact, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) actually recommends that women who are pregnant maintain dental check-ups, cleanings and x-rays. Modern x-raying equipment uses an extremely low amount of radiation that poses a very low risk of causing health complications for both the mother and unborn baby.

If you are still feeling nervous about the radiation used during a dental x-ray, you can rest assured knowing that the risk factors are extremely low. This is because only a small amount of the body, the teeth primarily, are exposed to the radiation. In most cases, the developing embryo or fetus is not exposed to the process at all. Having one x-ray done poses an insignificant risk to your baby’s health. However, if you need several done intermittently within a short period of time, you may want to speak with your orthodontist about delaying the process until after you give birth.

Safety Precautions

Many healthcare professionals recommend wearing a lead apron or similar shielding device over your abdomen if you are pregnant during an x-ray. This tool can put your worries to rest by completely protecting the region from radiation during the process. You can speak with your orthodontist about this prior to the procedure to request one.

Postponing an X-Ray

If you are still uncomfortable with getting a dental x-ray done during pregnancy, you may want to speak with your orthodontist about the possibility of postponing the process until after you have given birth. The first trimester of development is considered to be the most vulnerable. If you are currently in it, you may be able to delay your procedure briefly until this stage of development is over.

However, you should also keep in mind that a serious infection or other issue could hinder your health and even your baby’s health if not properly dealt with. Sometimes an ultrasound can be used instead of an x-ray which would remove the risk of radiation exposure. However, only your orthodontist can determine whether this i a good option for your needs. This is a matter of determining whether the benefits outweigh the risks that you and your orthodontist must discuss prior to moving forward with a procedure.

Preventative Tips

In some cases, you may be able to avoid the need for an x-ray entirely. By taking preventative action and maintaining good oral care, you can significantly reduce your need for emergency dental procedures. Make sure you receive regular exams and cleanings to prevent decay and other issues. At-home you can do your best to avoid the need for x-rays by making sure you brush twice a day and floss thoroughly every day. Often times people do not brush for long enough, forget to get the roof of their mouth or ignore hard to reach areas. Unfortunately, these bad practices can still lead a fully committed brusher to gum disease, decay and ultimately x-rays over time. Take your time and invest in a quality electric toothbrush if needed to ensure high quality cleaning every day.

If you are worried about getting an x-ray during pregnancy, you can rest assured knowing that the risks are extremely low. The benefits associated with the procedure significantly outweigh any small chance of complications arising. By maintaining proper daily oral hygiene, you can reduce the need for emergency x-rays, dental work and the use of medications during your pregnancy.

Fix Your Smile Today

Contact Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics today to set up your consultation. There’s no reason to put off a visit to our helpful team of professionals. It is our goal to help you make the most of your smile.

Dr. Jasmine Gorton

Dr. Bill Schmohl

When your teeth are aligned properly and your jaw is flowing smoothly, you will find more reasons to flash those pearly whites every day. Let Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics be your partner in good oral hygiene.

Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics

900 Larkspur Landing Circle, Suite 200,

Larkspur, California 94939

415-459-8006

How to Care for Braces During [Pregnancy] 2

How to Care for Braces During [Pregnancy]

pregnancy

How to Care for Braces During Pregnancy

Seeing the positive result on a pregnancy test is an exciting, emotional, and overwhelming time in any woman’s life. Whether you were hoping this would happen or you are shocked at the result, you can’t help but feel the excitement mixed with some nerves. If you’ve been pregnant before, you know about the many different ways pregnancy affects your body and changes your life. If this is your first pregnancy, you might have a lot to learn about what to expect.

Your doctor provides you with a list of foods you can no longer eat while expecting, he or she might recommend less strenuous exercise, certain medications become off-limits, and everything in your life changes just a bit. If you have braces, it changes even more. Your oral health is more important when you’re pregnant than ever. If you develop gum disease, your baby could be born with a low birth weight, you could go into premature labor, and you could face other issues with your pregnancy and the health of your child.

It’s important you see your dentist when you become pregnant to check your oral health, and it’s even more important you call your orthodontist right away if you have braces. It’s perfectly safe to wear braces and to carry a child at the same time, but some of the care and some of the routine procedures you go through when you wear braces might change a bit with a baby on board. Don’t confuse calling your dentist with calling your orthodontist. You should call both, but it’s your orthodontist who needs to see you to discuss the importance of caring for your braces while you’re also carrying a baby.

Call Your Orthodontist

As soon as you find out you’re pregnant and ready to tell, call your orthodontist and let the office know you’re pregnant. They need to note this in your chart so they know how to handle your appointment when you come in. You might not get x-rays while pregnant, and you definitely won’t end up with certain medications or even anesthesia if work is necessary. Your orthodontist needs to know you have a baby on board, and it doesn’t hurt to remind him or her of this fact when you are in the office, too.

Spend More Time Caring for Your Teeth and Braces

Now that you have a baby on the way, your oral health is that much more important. Now is a great time to focus on really cleaning your teeth well while pregnant. Spend the entire two minutes brushing each section of your mouth twice a day. Take extra time to clean your braces, and be sure you are following the list of foods you can and cannot eat both while expecting and while wearing braces. If you have some health concerns due to your pregnancy that might also affect your braces, ask your orthodontist how to handle the situation.

Understand How Pregnancy Can Affect Braces

Your pregnancy can’t directly affect your braces itself, but it can affect your hormones. Your hormones can affect your teeth and gums, and that can affect your braces. This is a time in your life when your hormones go up, down, and around regularly. There is no telling what you might experience and when you might experience it. All you know is that at some point you might suffer from sensitive teeth and/or gums, you might find it difficult to eat certain foods because they hurt or irritate your mouth, and you might notice your braces aren’t as comfortable as they were.

While these are all normal changes during pregnancy, you are always encouraged to contact your orthodontist if you feel something is wrong. He or she might check you out and tell you everything is just fine, but there’s always a chance something isn’t right with your braces and they can fix the problem and send you home feeling a lot better.

Maintain All Dental Appointments

If you did it prior to getting pregnant, keep doing it now that you are pregnant. This means brushing, flossing, and keeping appointments with all your oral healthcare providers. If you’re scheduled for a cleaning with the dentist, go to it and let them know you’re pregnant. Your cleaning isn’t going to affect your braces or your pregnancy, but do let your dental professional know you are expecting.

If you have an appointment to let your orthodontist tighten your braces, go to the appointment. Remind them you are pregnant even if you already called because you never know if a note was missed or lost before the orthodontist had a chance to read it. Your orthodontist is here to help you navigate both braces and your pregnancy, and all you need to do is ask how that’s possible.

If you’re expecting a baby, go ahead and take your time to enjoy the excitement and the moment. There aren’t many times in your life you’ll get to feel this way as pregnancy isn’t something you experience often. However, do call your orthodontist to schedule your next appointment and to share the good news.

Fix Your Smile Today

Contact Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics today to set up your consultation. There’s no reason to put off a visit to our helpful team of professionals. It is our goal to help you make the most of your smile.

Dr. Jasmine Gorton

Dr. Bill Schmohl

When your teeth are aligned properly and your jaw is flowing smoothly, you will find more reasons to flash those pearly whites every day. Let Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics be your partner in good oral hygiene.

Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics

900 Larkspur Landing Circle, Suite 200,

Larkspur, California 94939

415-459-8006