Breastfeeding has been shown to have countless benefits for both mothers and babies. But although the benefits are well established, what should you do if you need dental work during this early phase of your child’s life? You don’t want to neglect your dental needs, but it’s natural to be concerned about the effects of any medications or numbing agents that you might need. In addition, certain dental procedures are truly necessary and can’t be put off. But rest assured, we’ll put your mind at ease in this blog by reviewing the guidelines of dental care while breastfeeding in Nashua. Learn more today!
What Should You Do If You Need Dental Work While Breastfeeding?
First of all, don’t worry if you need dental work at this time. After all, you aren’t the first mother who needs dental work while breastfeeding- and you won’t be the last!
Dentists are well trained to determine which procedures need to be done as soon as possible and which ones can wait until you’re done breastfeeding.
For example, a dentist may wait if you simply have a small cavity that isn’t causing pain yet. However, if you’re in pain or have a large cavity or fracture, a dentist will usually recommend moving forward with treatment.
Thankfully, many aspects of dental treatment have been found to be safe for your baby during breastfeeding:
- Antibiotics– Many commonly used antibiotics such as amoxicillin and erythromycin are widely considered safe while breastfeeding.
- Local anesthetic – If you need to be numbed prior to dental work, there’s no need to worry because most numbing agents won’t remain in your system long enough to harm your baby.
- Nitrous oxide – Also called “laughing gas,” nitrous oxide will leave your system almost immediately after the mask is removed, so it won’t pose any risks.
How Can You Care For Your Teeth While Breastfeeding?
Of course, the best way to avoid the need for extensive dental work while breastfeeding is to get regular, preventative care from a dentist in Nashua.
In addition, here are some things you can do at home to keep your teeth and gums healthy:
- Get lots of calcium – It’s not uncommon to have calcium depletion during pregnancy and breastfeeding, so it’s especially important to make sure you get enough calcium at this time.
- Eat a good diet – Foods low in sugar, but high in protein and calcium, such as sugar-free yogurt, lean meats, greens, and nuts, are excellent for your oral health.
- Brush and floss – As always, a good home hygiene routine is the best way to stay out of the dental chair!
When it comes to taking great care of your new baby, you have to be healthy yourself. Your oral health is no exception.
But you can rest easy knowing that even when you can’t avoid dental work, it’s almost always still safe for your baby as well!
About the Author
Dr. Jini Shetty is a general and restorative dentist and also a mother of two. During many years of practice, she’s treated women at every stage of their pregnancy and understands the worry mothers have around balancing self-care with caring for their young children. If you have any questions, she can be reached via her website or at 603-429-2199.
