 | ||
|
| |    Dental Medications: Which Are Safe in Pregnancy? by Marjorie Greenfield, M.D. reviewed by Marjorie Greenfield, M.D. Pregnant patients (and some dentists) often wonder what effect--if any--medications will have on them and their babies. Here are some general guidelines for the use of dental medications during pregnancy. Anesthetics A good number of dental procedures require anesthesia, which generally can take place without cause for concern. Local anesthetics are relatively safe and are preferred over intravenous or inhaled agents (which may increase the risk of miscarriage in the first trimester). Novocaine and lidocaine--indeed, all of the "-caines"--can be used. Although the addition of epinephrine to local anesthetics (to make them last longer) is usually considered safe in pregnancy, women who are given this drug run a higher risk of some minor birth defects, so it's best avoided. If your dentist thinks your care requires the use of epinephrine, have her check first with your obstetric practitioner. Pain medications Acetaminophen is believed to be safe throughout pregnancy. Non-steroidals like ibuprofen generally are considered safe until around 32 weeks. If stronger pain medications are needed, narcotics such as codeine or Percodan can be used for the short term (less than a few weeks). The fetus might be "sleepy" while you're on the medication, but your metabolism quickly removes the drug from the baby's circulation. Narcotic use in pregnancy only becomes an issue when:
Antibiotics Dentists often prescribe antibiotics to either treat or prevent an infection. Barring any allergies, the penicillin and cephalosporin families of medications are safe to take. Erythromycin, though sometimes hard on the stomach, also is acceptable. Metronidazole (Flagyl), which is sometimes used for serious abscesses, can be taken during pregnancy as well. Tetracycline should be avoided because it can affect the teeth and bones of a developing fetus. Fluoride Although fluoride protects developing teeth from cavities, the use of supplemental fluoride in pregnancy is controversial. Some studies have shown that children whose mothers received fluoride during their pregnancies developed fewer cavities; others found no benefit. It's not known whether fluoride poses any risk to the fetus. As a general rule, it's best not to take fluoride beyond the small amount added to city water supplies.
| |  | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| About Us |
Contact Us |
Our Partners Privacy Policy | Ethics | Advertising Policy | Terms of Service © Copyright 2004 The Dr. Spock Company. All Rights Reserved. THIS SITE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. The information drSpock.com
provides is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for
professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your health care
professional if you have a specific health concern. Mention or advertisement
of any product, service, or brand does not constitute endorsement, guarantee,
or recommendation by The Dr. Spock Company. Please read our full
Terms of Service. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
