Giant Hole in Tooth. Pregnant! Sick!

I also had dental work while pregnant. I had a tooth pulled when I was preg w/ #2, I had a crown done when I was pregnant w/ #3 and had my wisdom teeth pulled (I was actually 8 months pregnant), and I had a tooth pulled w/ #4. I also let my teeth go neglected b/c of cost, and ended up having to get several teeth pulled b/c I waited too long -- yes they could have down root canals and crowns - but I just couldn't afford them. I was passed my 1st trimester w/ all the procedures. I did go into early labor w/ #4 -- and by then I definately have some teeth issues I had neglected. My dentist suggested it was b/c of the decay in my mouth - but I suppose no one knows for sure.

If you're past your 1st trimester, I recommend taking care of your teeth - if you can't afford the root canal and or crown - then if they are back teeth - you can always get them pulled for relatively cheap. It's not the preferred thing to do --- but pain and cost are ruling factors also. I've had 4 pulled - not exactly the best thing - but I just couldn't afford the root canals and crowns -- I actually have 3 root canals and crowns I still need to get done -- because I neglected my teeth for so long. Had I gone to the dentist regularly, I could have gotten fillings done for $20 w/ my insurance, instead of the $800 per tooth I'll be paying now.

You can still get painkillers - if I remember correctly I had to have 1% or 2% lidocane w/o epinephrine (sp) and all of my children were just fine and did not suffer any side effects from the dental anestithia (sp).

Because your tooth is throbbing, you should really go see a dentist - no x-rays of course b/c you're only 9 weeks - but there might be an infection which you need to be on antibiotics for. The infection can be very serious for you and your baby.

Good Luck to you!

S.
~~Homeschooling Mom to 4 Little Texans~~

Yes, you can (and should!) get dental work done while pg if it is needed. Bad bacteria can enter your bloodstream through tooth decay and harm the fetus. You will need to get a letter from your OB stating that the dentist can perform work and what anesthesia the dentist may use (most likely you will be allowed to have any local, but no inhaled anesthesia).

FWIW, I had a root canal done at 25 weeks.

I am a dental hygienist. We recommend dental work in the second trimester unless it is an emergency. If so, you will need to get clearance through your ob. You want to get these teeth fixed now. Hopefully you only need a couple of fillings which are inexpensive. But, if you wait untile after the baby they could turn into root canals and crowns which will run approx. $1600 per tooth. We charge anywhere from 180-300 for fillings depending on the size of the filling. Good luck :)

My daughter had major problems with her teeth during her pregnancy. Her ob/gyn told her to get them fixed. Her dentist wouldn't touch her (even though the ob/gyn oked the treatment). She ended up having premature labor during the end of her pregnancy. She kept having to go to the emergency room and get injections to stop the labor. Talk ro your ob/gyn about it. if your dentist refuses, talk to your ob/gyn again.