Routine dental care is safe during pregnancy and recommended. Pregnancy gingivitis affects a majority of pregnant women, and untreated gum disease is associated with preterm birth and low birth weight. Cleaning, fillings and necessary treatment are best done in the second trimester, which is the most comfortable window. Urgent infection should be treated in any trimester — the infection is the greater risk.
Why gums change in pregnancy
Raised progesterone and oestrogen exaggerate the gum's inflammatory response to the same amount of plaque. Gums become swollen, tender and bleed easily — often from the second month, peaking around the eighth. Some women develop a 'pregnancy epulis', a localised red lump on the gum that is harmless and usually resolves after delivery.
Trimester by trimester
| Trimester | What is appropriate |
|---|---|
| First | Checkup, cleaning, oral hygiene advice. Elective treatment usually deferred; urgent infection still treated. |
| Second | The comfortable window. Cleaning, fillings, root canals, extractions if needed. |
| Third | Short appointments, and lying flat becomes uncomfortable. Elective work generally postponed until after delivery. |
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
The specific worries, answered
- Local anaesthesiaLignocaine is widely used in pregnancy and considered appropriate. Treating you in pain without anaesthesia is the worse option — pain and stress are not neutral.
- X-raysDeferred when non-urgent. Where necessary for diagnosis, a shielded dental X-ray delivers a very small dose directed away from the abdomen.
- PainkillersParacetamol is generally the preferred choice. Avoid NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, especially in the third trimester, unless your obstetrician advises otherwise.
- AntibioticsSeveral are well established as suitable in pregnancy. Tell us you are pregnant and we will prescribe accordingly.
Morning sickness and your teeth
Repeated vomiting bathes the teeth in stomach acid, which erodes enamel — typically on the inner surfaces of the upper front teeth. Do not brush immediately afterwards; the softened enamel will simply be scrubbed away.
- Rinse with plain water, or water with a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda, straight away.
- Wait about thirty minutes before brushing.
- Use a fluoride toothpaste and a soft brush.
- If a strong-flavoured toothpaste triggers nausea, switch to a milder one rather than skipping brushing.
After the baby arrives
Book a checkup. It is the appointment most reliably forgotten, and the postnatal period combines disrupted routines with frequent snacking. Also worth knowing: the bacteria that cause decay are transmissible, so avoid sharing spoons or cleaning a dummy in your own mouth.
Questions we get asked
Can I have a tooth extracted while pregnant?
Yes, if it is necessary. The second trimester is preferred for anything elective, but an infected tooth should not be left untreated in any trimester.
Does the baby take calcium from my teeth?
No — this is a myth. Foetal calcium comes from the mother's diet and, if needed, her skeleton, not from her teeth. Dental problems in pregnancy come from hormonal gum changes, acid erosion and altered eating patterns.
Is teeth whitening safe during pregnancy?
It is deferred as a precaution. There is no evidence of harm, but there is also no reason to take an elective cosmetic risk. It can wait.