Re: cavities

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A cavity can cause an infection, and can spread bacteria to your system even if it doesn't abscess. The infection can be bad for you and obviously for your baby, plus once it's infected you have to take drugs... who wants to take heavy painkillers and antibiotics while pregnant if they can avoid it? Of course, there are safe ones for pregnancy, but it's best not to let it get that far. Also, my doctors tell me that gingivitis (inflamed, infected gums) is indeed a leading cause pre-term labor, though I don't know about cavities themselves.

I had an actual hole in one of my molars for the past two weeks. I don't know if the tooth just started to crumble or if a filling came loose. The dentist looked at it to ensure there was no sign of active infection, then rinsed it with water and air, put on a topical antibacterial and sedative, then put in a temporary-type cement. I go back after I deliver and then they will Xray and put in a permanent filling.

With a proper lead shield for your abdomen, most OBs seem to feel that a required tooth Xray is even okay, but dentists won't do it unless there's no other option to figure out how to treat your tooth. Also, novacaine is considered safe if needed, but your dentist must know you are pregnant so that no adrenaline (NOT okay) is added to the shot.

Hope this helps -- I'm sure you will get an actual MD's answer later today, but I had a bit of experience with this myself.

Good luck, Meredith lil Ian edd 2/7/02

At Sun, 30 Sep 2001, Molly wrote: >
>I read on the archives about it being both safe and advised to get
>cavities filled during pregnancy. I know I have 2 at least since before
>I got pregnant, and I plan on having them filled. But I couldn't find
>on the archives..does the cavity endanger the preg.? I know a tooth
>infection does. I didn't know if a cavity was a tooth infection or not,
>and if it is bothersome..can lead to smthg dangerous..or is actually
>dangerous itself. A cavity can't cause a miscarriage, can it???

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