Can You Get a Root Canal While Pregnant? Know the Risks

Pregnancy brings immense joy to life, but it may bring along certain health concerns as well. This is because your pregnancy hormones take a toll on your immune system, and compromised immunity makes you more prone to illnesses and infections. Though minor gum or teeth problems are common in pregnancy, sometimes more serious dental issues, like dental cavities, may require root canal treatment. A timely root canal can help you avoid tooth extraction and the unnecessary pain that comes with it. But is getting a root canal while pregnant safe or even recommended? If you have concerns about getting a root canal treatment during pregnancy, you should read the following article to learn more about it.

Is Root Canal Treatment Safe in Pregnancy

Pregnancy may make you more susceptible to infections, but it does not mean that it causes any of these problems. If you already have dental issues or you are prone to dental problems, then these problems may be aggravated in pregnancy. Some aggravated dental issues may require immediate medical attention, such as root canal treatment. But can you get a root canal while pregnant? Root canal treatment does not pose a serious threat to you or your baby, but before you consider this treatment, you should know about the possible risks associated with it. The American Dental Association (ADA) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) confirm that emergency treatments, such as root canals, extractions, or restorations, can be safely performed for pregnant women (1) (2).

In a 2015 study published in the Nigerian Medical Journal, a large proportion of dental residents, about 77% expressed their willingness to perform root canal treatment on a pregnant patient, with all individuals in restorative dentistry, prosthodontics, periodontics, and pedodontics agreeing to do so, while everyone in oral pathology would decline to proceed with such treatment (3).

Risks Associated With Root Canal Treatment During Pregnancy

Here are some risks involved with root canal treatment in pregnancy:

1. The Effect of X-Ray

In order to have a comprehensive view of your cavity, your doctor will require you to undergo an X-ray of the infected tooth. Though any X-ray exposure is not recommended in pregnancy, the dental X-rays aren’t a cause for much concern as the X-rayed area is far from the uterus, thus making it difficult for radiation to pose any risk to the unborn baby (4). However, it is still advised to take necessary measures, like using a lead apron and thyroid collar for the pregnant patient to cover any risk at all, even if the radiations are localised to the mouth only and not the abdominal region. Also, more than the X-ray, it is the medicines that are used in the process and later given for healing, which may cause more harm to your baby.

2. The Fear of Dental Treatments

Anaesthesia is not required in all root canal procedures and might vary from case to case. When required, the doctor usually gives a very small dosage of it and may opt to give more if the need arises. It is important to know that local anaesthesia is safe for use during pregnancy (5). It is the pain experienced during the process that may cause stress to the pregnant woman. And that stress may become a cause for concern because any kind of unnecessary stress in pregnancy is not good for your unborn baby.

3. The Effects of Other Chemicals

Your doctor may make use of various cleaning chemicals during the root canal treatment and also use other chemical materials for the filling of the tooth. Such chemicals are usually not detrimental to the foetal health and well-being.

Many times, pregnant women postpone treatments, thinking they might harm the child growing in their wombs. Some treatments can be postponed with proper medical guidance, but that cannot be said for a number of conditions that need immediate medical attention. Let’s take a look at the risk factors of postponing root canal during pregnancy, and some steps you can take with your dentist to treat it or manage it.

Risks of Avoiding or Postponing Root Canal in Pregnancy

If you are thinking of postponing the root canal treatment, you should reconsider. This is because the problems associated with not getting the treatment are much higher than getting the treatment done. Here are some problems that you may face if you plan to postpone your treatment:

1. The Infection May Spread

The tooth that requires root canal treatment is already infected, and if you delay the treatment, the infection may increase and spread to other teeth or gums. This may lead to more problems and complications.

2. Prolonged Intense Pain

An untreated tooth cavity can cause severe pain and distress to an expecting mother. Constant pain and discomfort may cause stress, and such a condition may cause adverse effects on your baby, too.

3. Harm to the Fetus and the Mother

Though over-the-counter antibiotics and analgesic drugs control pain and pulp infection, they pose a threat to the health of the mother and fetus during pregnancy (6).

Best Strategies to do a Root Canal During Pregnancy

Your dentist may recommend the following options to you or suggest some of the following strategies for the root canal treatment during pregnancy:

• The first trimester is a crucial period of pregnancy. If any dental problem is observed during this time, your doctor may recommend postponing it until you start your second trimester.
• Once you are in your second trimester, your doctor may recommend getting an X-ray of the infected tooth and starting the root canal treatment. However, if a root canal is required in the 3rd trimester, your doctor may recommend postponing it till the birth of your baby.

The first three months of pregnancy are highly crucial for the fetus’s safety and growth. Thus, any avoidable treatment required in the first trimester should be postponed to the next trimester to avoid unnecessary effects of dental treatment. Also, by the end of the first trimester, nausea has reduced significantly, making the second trimester ideal for endodontic treatments, like root canals. However, extensive dental treatments should be postponed until after delivery (3).

Though a root canal treatment is a very safe procedure, it is very important that you inform your dentist about your pregnancy. The dentist can then prepare the best possible treatment strategy for you.

Tips to Prevent Root Canal

Any kind of medical procedure can be daunting for an expecting mother, and thus the best way to deal with it is to prevent it. We shall discuss some tips that may help you prevent getting a root canal treatment during pregnancy:

• The first and foremost thing that you can do to prevent any kind of dental infection is to maintain good dental hygiene. Stick to your dental hygiene schedule and brush and floss twice daily to keep dental problems at bay.
• Avoid eating food items with high sugar content. Foods that have more sugar content are the main reason for dental cavities. If you have the urge or craving to eat them, you should brush your teeth after eating sugary food.
• It is also seen that pregnancy hormones may affect your dental health. You should visit your dentist on a regular basis to get your teeth and gums checked. Regular dental check-ups reduce your chances of having any infections or cavities and thus can help prevent root canal treatment.

FAQs

1. Can antibiotics be given to pregnant women to deal with the infection after a root canal treatment?

Antibiotics may be prescribed to pregnant women to prevent any infection after a root canal. Since there is a big scare of antibiotics during pregnancy and there are several kinds, common ones like Amoxicillin can be safe during pregnancy. However, any antibiotic or medication should be prescribed by the dentist.

2. What trimester is best for dental procedures like a root canal?

The second trimester (weeks 14–27) is usually considered the safest for dental treatments, including root canals. The first trimester is a critical time for fetal development, and the third trimester may be uncomfortable for the mother.

3. What precautions should a pregnant woman take before a root canal?

The following precautions can be taken by a pregnant woman before a root canal:

• Inform your dentist about the pregnancy and due date
• Get OB-GYN clearance if needed
• Avoid lying flat for too long during the procedure
• Ensure good oral hygiene and hydration

Keep yourself healthy during pregnancy for the better growth and development of your unborn baby; this includes taking care of your dental issues as well. It is recommended not to take any of your dental issues lightly, and as soon as you notice any problem, you should get in touch with your dentist. Timely treatment and medical intervention can save you from any severe problems or complications that may arise.

References/Resources:

1. ADA – Pregnancy

2. International Dental Journal of Student’s Research – Endodontic treatment in pregnant women

3. PubMed Central – Endodontic treatment of the pregnant patient: Knowledge, attitude and practices of dental residents

4. Nemours KidsHealth – Getting X-Rays During Pregnancy

5. ScienceDirect – LOCAL ANESTHETICS AND PREGNANCY. A REVIEW OF THE EVIDENCE AND WHY DENTISTS SHOULD FEEL SAFE TO TREAT PREGNANT PEOPLE

6. PubMed Central – Latest Concepts in Endodontic Management of Pregnant Patients

Also Read:

Tooth Pain in Pregnancy
Dental Problems and Treatments when Pregnant
Home Remedies for Tooth Pain and Bleeding Gums in Pregnancy

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