I just found out I'm pregnant and I need a root canal done...?

DDS said I have an infection in one of my teeth and I need a root canal. Is it better to wait until the 2nd trimester or until after the baby's born? I also haven't been to a dentist for 3 years b/c of a phobia I have (even though I work for an orthodontist), so I don't know how long I've had this infection. Is it worse to have the infection or root canal when pregnant?

I just found out I'm pregnant and I need a root canal done...?
You cant get any type of drilling done while ur pregnant the only thing a dentist will do is cleaning. The reason u cant get root canals is because they would have to do xrays to see the problem more closely and everyone knows xrays are a no no while pregnant
Reply:There are baby safe antibiotics. As long as you aren't knocked out during the procedure, the anethestics are localized so it isn't going to travel throughout your body.
Reply:Go now and get it out of the way, if you tell your dentist that you are pregnant they will make sure they take extra special care..also they will make sure any injections or drugs you take are safe during pregnancy
Reply:I had on done at 3 or 4 months and everything was fine just tell then that youre pregnant and it will be fine.
Reply:I got a root canal when I was pregnant it's safe you just need a note from your gyn. I wanted to wait tell my baby was born but it got bad to the point I could not eat and cry at night because of the pain. I had it done when I was like 4 or 5 months. I felt a million times better and my baby girl is 8 months now and very healthy and happy.


P.S get it done asap the infection can speared if not treated.
Reply:Have the root Canal! I had to have one when I was first pregnant and it was not too bad.





I knew I had to have it a month before I got pregnant, but was trying to wait it out,and wouldnt you know,it got infected while I was pregnant and hurt so bad.Plus, I could not take anything for the pain! All they could do was finally give me a numbing shot as an emergency precaution.





Make sure they put two of those lead aprons on you to protect the baby while doing x-rays. Also, you probably dont need pain medication afterwards and i dont think they will give you any. I am the biggest wimp in the world %26amp; I was just extra tired after,but not really in pain.





The root canal is really not bad-really- a tooth ache has got to be the worst pain even!!! Dont risk it :o)





Also, although x-rays are taboo during preganancy, I had over 7 done while I was pregnant,and everything is fine-just make sure your dentist is on the ball %26amp; uses precautions- I guess since you work for an orthodontist, you already know that :o)
Reply:Sometimes the best answer is a question, so let me ask you one.





Do you REALLY want to trust the advice of nincompoops who should be telling you to seek the advice of either your dentist or your obstetrician instead of voicing their invalid opinions?





Just a thought.
Reply:The infection would be worse, because it would spread. If you're really worried about the baby, call your ob/gyn and ask. That's the only good and safe way to answer this question.


But I'll bet they'll tell you to have the root canal and just tell your dentist you're pregnant. The local anesthesia they use is probably safe for your baby.
Reply:I can't say from experience, but my cousin was preg, and needed a root canal and they wouldn't touch her....they told her to wait untill after she had her baby and she was in a lot of pain.... here is a site to help out
Reply:the best thing for you too do is to ask your doc they would know best i know you not suppose to get work done on your teeth while you are pregnant but best to ask the doc
Reply:I had a root canal done at the very beginning of my pregnancy and all turned out fine. Though some dentists will only do work during the second trimester. Speak to your dentist and you doctor and see what their opinion is on the situation.