Missing one or many teeth can take a toll on your everyday life. Dental implants provide a reliable solution, restoring your smile to its full potential. When you go to your dentist for this treatment, they will first learn about your overall health. One thing that’s important to bring up is whether you are pregnant. You may wonder if you can get dental implants while expecting, so keep reading to find out.
Can I Get Dental Implants If I’m Pregnant?
While you are carrying, it’s not recommended to get this tooth replacement option. Your body is going through many changes, so your and your baby’s health and safety are the number one priority. There are many risks involved for you as a pregnant person compared to others wanting dental implants.
For instance, your body is helping support your growing baby. This can affect your bone density or the healing process after surgery. Hormonal changes that you experience while pregnant can impact your immune system, increasing your risk of infection. Gum disease is a major threat to dental implants, so developing it can cause complications.
Pain medication, sedation, and X-rays are all often used during this treatment. Any medicine or sedatives may not be safe or risky to use while you are expecting. Although digital X-rays are much safer than their traditional counterpart, exposure to radiation (even in small amounts) can be harmful to your baby.
What Can I Do to Prepare for Dental Implants While Pregnant?
Although it’s best to wait until after giving birth to get a dental implant, there are steps you can take to prepare for it! Here is what you can do:
- Get a consultation to learn more about the treatment and if it is a good option for you. It should be safe to get X-rays during your third trimester, but talking to your doctor beforehand might be helpful.
- Your dentist will then create a treatment plan for you. This will help you be prepared for what to expect after your baby is born.
- Keep up with your dental hygiene. Brush twice a day and floss at least once, ensuring you get rid of harmful bacteria in your mouth. This will help stop many dental problems, like gum disease.
- Go to your routine checkups, so your dentist can monitor any changes to your oral health and address any issues before they cause more complications down the line.
Even though it’s not recommended to get dental implants while you are pregnant, you can still look forward to them! Once your baby is born and you see their little smile, you can take the steps you need to rebuild yours and get back your confidence.
About the Practice
At Loretto Family Dentistry, we are happy to help the Corinth community get a full set of teeth that they are proud of. Led by Dr. Kristina Mackie and Dr. Kara Barkley, we help replace any number of missing teeth through a variety of treatments. While you may have to wait to get dental implants while you are pregnant, we can help you keep your oral health pristine to give you a better chance of getting them after. If you have any questions, schedule an appointment or call our office at (940) 498-2290.