Pregnancy and X-rays

Coincidentally, in the past week, I received numerous questions about pregnancy and the safety of dental treatment.

Preventative Dental Care

According to the American Pregnancy Association, “Preventive dental cleanings and annual exams during pregnancy are not only safe, but are recommended.” Oral infections have been linked to causing premature births. Getting your routine exam & cleanings performed, on schedule, at Tenafly Dental Associates is proven to prevent oral infections. Therefore, it is more risky for you and your baby to postpone non-elective dental treatment until after pregnancy. Elective dental treatments should be avoided during pregnancy.

X-Rays

With regards to routine X-rays taken at your check up, this can wait until after you give birth. If a tooth is bothering you, however, an X-ray should be taken to ensure oral infections are not developing. “According to the American College of Radiology, no single diagnostic X-ray has a radiation dose significant enough to cause adverse effects in a developing embryo or fetus.”

At Tenafly Dental Associates, we make sure to take the necessary precautions (e.g. lead apron shielding) to keep you and your baby safe and educate you on how to maintain oral hygiene during pregnancy. Contact us to schedule an appointment.

See more @ http://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancy-health/dental-work-and-pregnancy/