Can You Get Your Wisdom Teeth Removed While Pregnant?

While expecting, it becomes vital to take extra care of your health as you are managing both yours and the growing baby. One question you might have asked severally is whether you have the green light to remove your wisdom tooth safely. 

Wisdom teeth are also known as the third molars. They are the very last set of teeth to develop and usually happen during the late teens to the early twenties. Sometimes, they cause a lot of pain, swells and other dental troubles if they don’t get enough room to grow properly. 

The decision to remove a wisdom tooth in pregnancy however involves taking into account a few factors such as the pregnancy state, urgency of the removal, and assessment of both benefits and risks.

Always consult the dentist and your OB-GYN when you decide to get this dental operation while carrying a baby. This article discusses what you need to know and precautions to take before and after wisdom tooth removal during these delicate times.

Can I have my wisdom teeth removed while pregnant?

Yes, you can have your wisdom teeth removed while pregnant. However, your choice to get this dental work should be examined and endorsed by both your dentist and OB-GYN.

Usually, they’ll schedule this procedure for the second trimester when baby’s organs are developed enough. In the first trimester, it is unsafe because the baby’s key organs are still developing. And it becomes very difficult lying on your back for long hours in the third trimester. 

Dentists will always take special precautions, like avoiding certain medications and X-rays, unless they’re absolutely necessary and can be done safely with a lead apron to protect your belly.

It’s also about evaluating your health status and weighing the perks and risks. If your wisdom tooth isn’t causing problems, they might suggest waiting until after birth. On the other hand if the tooth is breeding bacteria and infections, then it might be riskier to leave them in than to pluck out.

The key is to work closely with your healthcare providers. They’d help to time the procedure just right, and use safe practices and medications that consider your health and the baby.

Tips to safely prepare for wisdom teeth removal while pregnant

If you’re preparing to have your wisdom teeth removed while pregnant, here are some tips to ensure you and your baby stay safe and healthy:

1. Consult Your Healthcare Providers

Just as discussed, talk to both your obstetrician and dentist before anything else. They would need to work together to plan the safest approach for your operation.

First off, pregnancy changes a lot about your body. It’s not just your belly that gets bigger—your whole system is different. Your doctor knows this and knows what’s safe for you and the baby when it comes to medical stuff, including getting teeth pulled.

Next, there’re medicines that the dentist might give you to numb your mouth or help with the pain after surgery. Some are okay for expectant moms while others aren’t.

So talking with your doctor will ensure that you get only the safe ones. Your doctor and dentist can talk to each other to pick the best ones for you.

Another good reason to chat with your doctor is all about timing. We know the middle part of your pregnancy is the safest time for handling dental work.  Your doctor can tell you if this is the right time or perhaps waiting a little longer.

Getting any type of surgery can be stressful. And at these precious times, you want to minimize stress levels to keep your health and the baby’s in check. By answering your questions and telling you what to expect, doctors can help you get more relaxed.

So, while it might seem like just another thing to do, having a chat with your doctor is a key step to make sure getting your wisdom teeth out is a smooth and safe process for both you and your baby. It’s about being careful and making sure everyone on your health team is on the same page.

2. Morning Sickness Considerations

Firstly, morning sickness isn’t just uncomfortable; it can increase the risk of complications during and after dental surgery. Imagine feeling nauseous while having dental work done—it’s not pleasant and can make you feel even more sick. 

Plus, if you’ve recently eaten and you end up getting sick during the procedure, there’s a risk you could inhale what comes up. This is dangerous and is something both you and your oral surgeon definitely want to avoid.

To prepare, think about the timing of your appointment. If mornings are rough for you, maybe scheduling the surgery for later in the day when you tend to feel better is a smart move.

This simple adjustment can make you more comfortable and reduce the chance of morning sickness interrupting the procedure.

Also, feel free to discuss your morning sickness with your oral surgeon. They’ve probably worked with several pregnant women and can offer great advice.

This might include tips on what consumables to take or avoid before the operation and the exact time to schedule it to minimize discomfort. 

Hydration is another thing to consider. Morning sickness can cause you to dehydrate, which isn’t the best especially when your surgery is in a few hours away. Being well hydrated will minimize nausea.

Your dental team might give you guidelines on how much water to drink before your surgery. Also some practical tips like wearing comfortable clothes and meditating can also help with nausea. 

Lastly, after your wisdom teeth are out, your body needs to heal. Morning sickness can make it a bit tricky to eat well and get enough rest, but both are super important for recovery.

Talk to your dental team and your doctor about ways to manage nausea after surgery so you can recover smoothly and get back to feeling more like yourself.

3. Stay Comfortable

You might wonder, “How does staying comfortable play into getting ready for a dental procedure?” Well, it’s pretty important, and here’s why making sure you’re as comfortable as possible can help you prepare for wisdom tooth removal safely and make the whole experience a bit easier.

First up, we know pregnancy can make you feel uncomfortable; the aches, pains, weird sensations, etc. Now, imagine sitting in a dentist’s chair for wisdom tooth removal, and you might feel even more on edge.

Being proactive about your comfort isn’t just about feeling good; it’s about reducing stress for you and the baby.

Before your wisdom tooth appointment, think about what makes you comfortable and relaxed. This could be wearing your favorite, most comfortable clothes to the dentist—yes, those stretchy pants count!

Bring a small pillow or a blanket to the dentist with you. Sometimes dental offices can be chilly, and having something familiar and cozy can help ease anxiety.

During the procedure, make sure to communicate with your dental team about anything about your comfort. Dentists and oral surgeons are used to working with pregnant patients and they understand the need for extra pillows to support your back or frequent breaks if you feel uncomfortable or need to stretch.

4. Eat a Healthy Meal

When you’re pregnant and preparing for wisdom tooth removal, you’re probably thinking a lot. But one tip that’s golden and can really make a difference is eating a healthy meal hours before your procedure. You might be marveling why it matters so much to eat well before your surgery. 

First off. Getting the right nutrients is important, more or less like giving your body the best fuel to run on. It’s good for you and your baby.

But when approaching this operation, there’s this precaution of fasting for several hours before getting the anesthesia.

That’s very true.  And here’s where timing and planning your meal come into play. Eating a healthy meal the night, which is about 8-12 hours before your surgery, considering the fasting rules, means you can stock up on those good nutrients beforehand. This way, you’re not running on empty when you head into the procedure.

So, what does a good meal look like in this case? You want something balanced and not too heavy. Lean proteins, like chicken or fish. Add in some whole grains for more energy and some veggies for all those vitamins and minerals. And don’t forget to drink plenty of water for max hydration.

5. Monitor for Complications

This isn’t just about keeping an eye on what happens during the procedure but also about staying alert before and after, to make sure both you and your baby stay safe and healthy.

Before your wisdom teeth are even touched, your dentist or surgeon should be doing some careful monitoring. They will check your blood pressure and inquire about health changes since you last visited.

Be upfront with them. Tell them about symptoms you’re feeling. This way they will adapt treatment plans to reduce possible risks.

During the procedure, monitoring is mostly in the hands of your dental team. They’ll make sure you’re comfortable and will keep tabs on your vital signs while they work.

This includes monitoring your heart rate and oxygen levels, ensuring that everything stays normal as they remove your wisdom teeth. This kind of careful oversight is important to catch and respond to any issues as quickly as possible.

After your wisdom teeth are removed, the monitoring shouldn’t stop. You’ll need to track how you’re feeling and look out for any signs of complications like excessive bleeding, infection, or severe pain.

These can be signs of more serious issues that need immediate attention. Because you’re pregnant, it’s even more important to take the most minor symptom serious.

Your dental team will likely schedule visits to follow up with your healing process. You should also reach out to them if something isn’t right. Keeping in communication with them along with your OB is very necessary as they can quickly attend to you once something isn’t alright.  

By taking these precautions and working closely with your dentist and healthcare provider, you can safely manage wisdom teeth removal during pregnancy.

How can wisdom tooth pain be relieved while pregnant?

After your tooth has been expelled, you should care for yourself very well. That is the only way to minimize any symptom and help you heal faster

Here are a few tips to get you going:

• Get more sleep: During the first twenty four hours after the operation, get more sleep. Don’t overload activities that will spark off your blood pressure or cause bleeding at your gums
• Use cold compresses: Apply ice packs to your cheeks where the surgery was performed. This helps to shrink any swelling and discomfort. Also, Use the ice packs for 15-20 minutes at each application during the first two days.
• Keep Your Head Elevated: Always tilt your head at an elevated angle. This would reduce any swelling and get rid of bleeding.
• Eat Soft Foods: Stick to soft food diets. Pudding, yogurt, soups and smoothies are great. Avoid crunchy and hard foods that might provoke the extraction site.
• Drink more water: You need more fluids at this time, especially water. But stay off the use of straw. It can oust blood cloths from the site and cause infections that might harm you and the baby.
• Practice oral hygiene: Keep your mouth clean to prevent infections. Go ahead and brush other teeth expect the ones around the extraction site. You can get back to brushing all your teeth after a while when the pain has drastically reduced. Your dentist may recommend mouth wash or saltwater rinses to clean up the area. stick to them.
• Follow dentists’ instructions: Aside from the mouth washers, they would give you or prescribe antibiotics or pain relievers to buy from the pharmacy.  Be sure to get them and pop them up as directed. Also, follow any other routine care or instructions they provide.
• Watch for Signs of Complications: Monitor any signs of infection or other complications, like swells, persistent pain, or unusual discharge. Reach out to them ASAP once you notice any of these.

By following these steps, you can ensure a speedy recovery after wisdom teeth removal.

FAQS

Conclusion

Don’t be terrified to get wisdom teeth removed while pregnant. It is very safe, and the American Dental Association also approves it. However, your decision to get this should be certfified by health professionals.

Also, the safest time is the second trimester. Your dentists know this and they would advise accordingly, together with other precautionary measures.

Don’t forget to reach out to both your OB and dentist from the start t until even after your baby is out. Their guidance at this time is very crucial to your health and the baby.