Keeping your teeth clean and safe is very important for both your dental health and overall health. For this reason, you should consider having regular dental care in every period of your life, including pregnancy.
If you tend to be anxious or nervous about treatment, you may receive sedation therapy to help you relax during your appointment. But if you are pregnant, is treatment with sedation safe? Read on to learn about the safety of dental sedation for pregnant women and what types to consider!
In most cases, it may be best to postpone more complex or invasive dental procedures until after pregnancy. However, there are some situations where treatment is necessary to protect your oral health. These may include gum disease treatment to stop the spread of the infection or even dental implant surgery to preserve your smile. If these treatments are necessary, you will be provided with local anesthesia. Fortunately, this is not harmful to the baby! Since sedation therapy is not as strong as local anesthesia, it is completely safe during pregnancy.
Types of Sedation Therapy During Pregnancy
There are several types of dental sedation treatments, each with different levels of strength and effectiveness. Here are the two safest options for pregnant patients and what to expect from them:
.Nitrous oxide sedation: Also known as “laughing gas”, this method is the mildest form of relaxation. Your dentist will place a mask over your mouth and nose to administer the treatment. By inhaling, you will feel significantly calmer during your visit to the dentist. You won’t be unconscious from nitrous oxide so you can respond to your dentist and remember your appointment later.
.Oral conscious sedation: Instead of breathing in laughing gas, you can opt for prescription oral sedatives to prepare yourself for a dental procedure. With this method, you will need to take an antianxiety medication 30 minutes to an hour before your appointment. Once you arrive, you will feel more comfortable entering your treatment. You will still be self-conscious enough to respond to simple commands or answer questions, but you may not remember your entire visit. Because this sedation is stronger, you will need a friend or family member to pick you up and off your appointment.
It’s important to know that these sedation options are safe for you and your baby, especially if you have to undergo certain dental procedures to maintain your smile and overall health. But if you still have further questions about their safety, do not hesitate to consult your dentist!
