The changes in the level of hormones that occur during pregnancy not only trigger emotional and physical changes but also can affect your oral health. If dental problems appear during pregnancy, most of the mothers prefer to postpone the treatment till delivery. But what if a severe toothache disturbs you during your nursing period? What if the doctor prescribed a root canal during the breastfeeding period?
You may have a lot of queries and doubts regarding undergoing dental treatment during the nursing period. Here comes a piece of good news. You don’t have to avoid or postpone inserting or replacing fillings or even going for a root canal treatment during breastfeeding. However, you should take some precautions. Keep on reading and you may be able to clear all your doubts.
In This Article
- What Should I do if Tooth Ache and Decay Worry Me During the Nursing Period?
- Is it Safe to Undergo Dental Treatment During Breastfeeding?
- Could Local Anesthesia While Breastfeeding be Harmful to the Child?
- Is Nitrous Oxide Sedation Safe During Breastfeeding?
- Are Dental Diagnostic Tests Safe During Nursing Period?
- Are Dental Fillings Safe for My Breastfeeding Baby?
- Can I Undergo Cosmetic Dental Treatments During Breastfeeding?
- Are Antibiotics and Painkillers Safe During Breastfeeding?
- FAQ’s
What Should I Do If Tooth Ache and Decay Worry Me During the Nursing Period?
Toothache and decay would need treatment like a filling or a root canal. Never neglect a dental problem and consult a doctor and inform them you are a nursing mom. This will help them to recommend appropriate and safe treatment and medicines that will not affect the feeding procedures. Many doctors may use medicines that are specifically for lactating mothers.
Is it Safe to Undergo Dental Treatment During Breastfeeding?
Yes, it is safe to carry on breastfeeding while going through most dental treatments. In fact, it is not at all necessary to suspend breastfeeding even for a short period when you are nursing a healthy full-term baby.
But when you are nursing a premature baby or a baby with some health issues, special considerations are required. And the same should be mentioned to your doctor. They may ask you to stop feeding for the time being. Or wait a certain time before feeding the preterm baby or baby with some other health issues.
Could Local Anesthesia While Breastfeeding Is Harmful to the Baby?
Local anesthetics work by numbing the sensation of the nerve endings of the tissues around the tooth. There is no evidence of anesthetic passing into breast milk and there is no reason to discontinue breastfeeding.
Lidocaine, a drug that helps to numb the tissues during the dental procedure and is relatively safe for breastfeeding mothers. Other local anesthetics like novocaine and bupivacaine may also be compatible with breastfeeding. Only a tiny amount of local anesthetic is used.
Hence, an insignificant amount could get into your milk. The same is also cleared rapidly from your bloodstream and is unlikely to enter your milk in significant quantities. Therefore, the local anesthesia while breastfeeding is extremely unlikely to cause any effects on your baby. So, it is safe to breastfeed following a local anesthetic for dental work.
Is Nitrous Oxide Sedation Safe During Breastfeeding?
Nitrous oxide is an effective and secured sedative agent. It is mixed with oxygen and breathed in through a small mask that is placed over the nose. This sedative gas helps to relax the nerves during dental procedures.
Nitrous oxide or laughing gas is virtually insoluble in the bloodstream. Meaning, this sedative gas used in dental works immediately moves out of the body after you stop breathing it in. Therefore inhaling nitrous oxide will not interfere with breastfeeding.
Are Dental Diagnostic Tests Safe During the Nursing Period?
The diagnostic tests to examine the level of dental decay comprise X-rays, fine-needle aspirations, etc. None of these tests are found to affect the quality and quantity of breast milk. Hence, dental diagnostic tests are largely considered safe during the nursing period.
Are Dental Fillings Safe for My Breastfeeding Baby?
This question targets amalgam filling. Amalgam is an alloy of silver and mercury with a variable amount of other metals. About half of the amalgam is liquid mercury. This is used to fill the cavities caused by tooth decay.
During the filling or replacing process for treating a tooth cavity, there are undeniable chances of the mercury getting vaporized. This increases the chances of it getting swallowed or inhaled.
But, the amount of mercury passing into breast milk is insignificant and falls below the level usually considered to be unsafe by health organizations. Therefore, inserting and replacing the dental filling for a lactating mother is quite safe.
Can I Undergo Cosmetic Dental Treatments During Breastfeeding?
The chemical compounds used in the cosmetic treatment like tooth whitening (peroxide compound in the case of tooth whitening) do get absorbed by the tissues. However, they are instantly destroyed and usually never reach breast milk.
However, if you are a lactating mother, it is better to postpone the cosmetic treatment, as it is not necessary and significant like the tooth decay treatment.
Are Antibiotics and Painkillers Safe During Breastfeeding?
Several painkillers and antibiotics used in treating dental issues can harm the baby. So it is important to tell your doctor that you are a breastfeeding mother during the visit. This will help the doctor to prescribe alternative medicines which will not harm the baby.
Now you know there is no need to suffer toothache in silence while breastfeeding. Go and look for quick alleviation from the dental uneasiness by scheduling an appointment with your dentist today!
FAQ’s
1. Can I Get a Root Canal Done While Breastfeeding?
Yes, you can. It is perfectly safe. it won’t have any impact on your milk.
2. Will a Dental Filling While Breastfeeding Impact the Milk?
No, it won’t. A filling is just a superficial procedure. It does not interfere with the milk in any way.
3. Should I Stop Breastfeeding When Getting a Root Canal?
No, that may not be necessary. If your dentist is prescribing very strong medicines, you may have to. Else, just feed the baby 2 hours after the surgery.
4. Can I Breast Feed After Getting Anesthesia for Root Canal?
Yes, you can. Studies don’t show anesthesia gets into the milk. If you are still not sure, you can feed the baby 2 hours after the procedure.
Read Also: 12 Medicines You Should Never Take During Breastfeeding
