If you are pregnant or think you might be pregnant, tell your dentist during your visit.
During the first trimester, it is best to avoid any elective dental treatment.
After that point, you can discuss your anesthesia options with your obstetrician
or midwife, as well as with your dentist, to come up with the safest choice
for you.
Local Anesthetics
Pregnant women can receive some local anesthetics if dental treatment is necessary,
though most dentists recommend postponing elective dental treatment or completing
it before a pregnancy. Nursing women can receive normal doses of local anesthetics
without affecting their infants.
If possible, pregnant women should avoid local anesthetics that contain epinephrine.
If this type of anesthetic is accidentally introduced into a blood vessel,
it could lead to a decrease in blood supply to the placenta. It also could
cause spasms in blood vessels, including the arteries that supply the uterus.
Sedation
Pregnant women should avoid nitrous oxide, particularly during the first trimester.
There are many alternatives to alleviate dental anxiety, such as listening to
music, or acupuncture. Diazepam and other similar drugs should not be used in
women who are pregnant or who could be pregnant.
General Anesthesia
The effects of general anesthesia on a pregnant woman and
her fetus vary depending on the drugs used. In most cases, general anesthesia
should be avoided during pregnancy. If you are pregnant or believe you may
be pregnant, make sure your dentist or oral surgeon knows about it.
