Treatment FAQ

root canal treatment when breastfeeding

by Astrid Yundt Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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If you are suffering from extreme tooth pain or decay, it is likely that your dentist will advise you about dental work (fillings or root canals). They may also prescribe certain painkillers and antibiotics that can help reduce the symptoms of tooth or gum infection. It is safe to continue breastfeeding while undergoing most dental treatments.

There's no need to suspend nursing for a period of time or “pump and dump” after dental work. Lidocaine and bupivacaine are common numbing agents used in dental procedures such as root canals, extractions or fillings. These do not show up in a mother's milk, according to Dr.Apr 25, 2017

Full Answer

Is it safe to get a root canal while breastfeeding?

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. What Should I Do If Tooth Ache and Decay Worry Me During the Nursing Period?

Why do pregnant women need root canals?

This is because your pregnancy hormones take a toll on your immune system and the compromised immunity makes you more prone to illnesses and infections. Though minor gum or teeth problems are common in pregnancy sometimes more serious dental issues crop up like dental cavities which may require root canal treatment.

Are endodontic irrigants safe for root canal treatment during pregnancy?

Not much has been reported on the use of endodontic irrigants for root canal treatment during pregnancy, and this was reflected in the varied opinions regarding the safety of endodontic irrigants use in pregnancy.

How to deal with toothache while breastfeeding?

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.

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Can I take dental treatment while breastfeeding?

Both x-rays and novocaine (and other drugs used for local anesthesia, such as bupivacaine and lidocaine) are considered to be compatible with breastfeeding. Most medications used for oral and IV sedation are considered compatible with breastfeeding.

How long after dental anesthesia Can I breastfeed?

Doctors, nurses, and midwives often inform mothers to “pump and dump” their breast milk for 24 hours after receiving anesthesia to avoid passing medications to the infant.

Can I breastfeed after getting a crown?

While breastfeeding, it's completely safe to do dental crowns or veneers.

Does local anesthetic go into breast milk?

Local anesthesia is when a medication is injected or applied at the site to numb the area of surgery. It is often used in dental procedures. These medications are poorly absorbed and do not transfer to human milk.

Can antibiotics pass through breast milk?

Can you safely take antibiotics while breastfeeding? In most cases, antibiotics are safe for breastfeeding parents and their babies. “Antibiotics are one of the most common medications mothers are prescribed, and all pass in some degree into milk,” explains the Academy of American Pediatrics (AAP).

Does breastfeeding mess up your teeth?

Research shows that human milk by itself does not promote tooth decay. But breastfeeding infants who fall asleep while nursing with unswallowed milk in their mouths are also vulnerable to tooth decay.

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.

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.

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 su...

Can I Breast Feed After Getting Anesthesia for Root Canal?

Yes, you can. Studies don’t show anesthesia being passed through the milk. If you are still worried, you can feed the baby 2 hours after the proced...

Can you breastfeed while taking painkillers?

It is safe to continue breastfeeding while undergoing most dental treatments. However, your dentist may advise you to suspend nursing temporarily while taking these medications as a precaution to rule out any side effects. [ Read: Is It Safe To Take Painkillers While Breastfeeding ] Subscribe.

Can you take medication while breastfeeding?

While breastfeeding, use any medication or dental product only after seeking professional advice from experts. [ Read: Safe Medicines While Breastfeeding ] Now you know you do not need to suffer in silence while breastfeeding.

Can you breastfeed after dental sedation?

Most of the medications used for sedation during dental treatment are extremely safe for breastfeeding women ( 2 ). There is no need to pump and dump your breastmilk. The amount of anesthetic in your breast milk after a single dosage of sedative is nil or minimal and will not cause any harm to your precious baby.

Can you feed a baby while under sedation?

2. Sedation And Nitrous Oxide: If your dentist administers valium, you can resume feeding your child as soon as you are awake from your sedation. You can feed your baby before entering and after leaving the surgical room. Most of the medications used for sedation during dental treatment are extremely safe for breastfeeding women ( 2 ). ...

Can you stop breastfeeding after a tooth removal?

Even if you have to undergo a dental procedure for tooth removal, you do not have to stop breastfeeding at all. You can safely nurse your baby, as soon as you recover from anesthesia and surgical pain. ( 1) [ Read: Symptoms Of Strep Throat While Breastfeeding ] 2. Sedation And Nitrous Oxide:

Does nitrous oxide affect breastfeeding?

Nitrous oxide is insoluble in nature and does not enter your bloodstream. It means that the sedative gas used in dental works immediately moves out of the body and does not permeate the breastmilk. Therefore, it does not adversely affect your breastfeeding baby. ( 3)

Is it safe to breastfeed with a dental numbing agent?

Dental Procedures: Dentists use numbing agents such as lidocaine as a local anesthetic during a dental procedure. The numbing drug does not take a toll on the quantity or quality of your breast milk.

When should I get a root canal during pregnancy?

Your dentist may recommend the following options to you or suggest some of the following strategies for the root canal treatment during pregnancy: The first trimester is a crucial period of pregnancy. If any dental problem is observed during this time, your doctor may recommend postponing it until you start off with your second trimester.

How to prevent root canals?

Regular dental check-ups reduce your chances of having any infections or cavities and thus can help prevent root canal treatment. Keep yourself healthy during pregnancy for the better growth and development of your unborn baby; this includes taking care of your dental issues as well.

Why postpone root canal treatment?

If you are thinking of postponing the root canal treatment, you should reconsider. This is because the problems associated with not getting the treatment are much higher than getting the treatment done. Here are some problems that you may face if you plan to postpone your treatment: 1. The Infection May Spread.

What happens if you postpone a root canal?

Here are some problems that you may face if you plan to postpone your treatment: 1. The Infection May Spread. The tooth that requires the root canal treatment is already infected, and if you delay the treatment, the infection may increase and spread to other teeth or gums also.

How to prevent dental infection?

The first and foremost thing that you can do to prevent any kind of dental infection is by maintaining good dental hygiene. Stick to your dental hygiene schedule and brush and floss twice daily to keep dental problems at bay. Avoid eating food items with high sugar content.

Is root canal anesthesia required?

2. The Effects of Anaesthesia. Anaesthesia is not required in all root canal procedures and might vary from case to case.

Can you use cleaning chemicals for root canals?

Your doctor may make use of various cleaning chemicals during the root canal treatment and also use other chemical material for the filling of the tooth. Both these chemicals usually are not detrimental to the foetal health and well-being.

Why is an x-ray necessary for root canals?

An x-ray is necessary in order to provide that information. According to the American College of Radiology, no single diagnostic x-ray has ...

What is the best treatment for tooth infection?

Antibiotics. Prescription of antibiotics is common to fight the tooth infection. Dentists prescribe, during or after the treatment, specific antibiotics (such as penicillin or amoxicillin) which are rated as safe for pregnancy.

Why do dentists give pregnant women lead shields?

As an extra precaution, dentists usually provide pregnant women with an additional lead shield to stop any x-rays from reaching to the abdomen. Another worry associated with pregnancy is related to the prescribed medications and the chemicals used during the procedure: Anesthesia.

Can a dentist open an abscessed tooth?

If needed the dentist can open an abscessed tooth to allow drainage and pain relief, and clean the pulp area as good as possible. Later, when pregnancy enters the second trimester, an X-ray can be taken to allow the completion of the root canal treatment. The same procedure can be followed for a problem during the third trimester;

Can you postpone a root canal?

The safest course of action is to postpone all unnecessary dental work until after the birth. Unfortunately, it is not the same to postpone a root canal treatment as it is to postpone a teeth whitening.

Can a dentist give you anesthesia while pregnant?

However, the amount of anesthesia administered to pregnant women is as little as possible. If the initial dose is not enough, the dentist will provide additional anesthesia until the patient feels comfortable.

Can dental x-rays affect embryos?

According to the American College of Radiology, no single diagnostic x-ray has a radiation dose significant enough to cause adverse effects in a developing embryo or fetus. Besides that, dental x-rays are aimed locally at the mouth and not the abdomen area.

When can a mom nurse?

To minimize baby’s exposure (and increase mom’s comfort), mom can nurse just before she goes in for the procedure. There is no need to wait on breastfeeding afterwards or to pump and dump — mom can nurse as soon as she feels alert enough to hold baby.

How long does it take to recover from wisdom tooth surgery?

A rapid recovery generally occurs within 3-5 minutes…. Ingestion of nitrous oxide orally via milk is unlikely.”. See Conscious Sedation for more information. . A mother who has wisdom tooth surgery should not need to interrupt breastfeeding at all (except during the surgery, of course).

Can you breastfeed with novocaine?

Both x-rays and novocaine (and other drugs used for local anesthesia, such as bupivacaine and lidocaine) are considered to be compatible with breastfeeding. Most medications used for oral and IV sedation are considered compatible with breastfeeding.

Is bupivacaine safe for breast feeding?

Conclusion: “This study documents the magnitude of excreted lidocaine, bupivacaine and PPX in breast milk, and indicates that the use of both lidocaine and bupivacaine for epidural anaesthesia is safe with regard to breast-feeding.”.

How to keep teeth healthy while pregnant?

This gets talked about a lot during pregnancy, but eating healthy can help your teeth too. Try to stick to fresh foods, lean meats, and low sugar drinks. Try to stay away from fast food, processed food and high calorie beverages.

What to eat while pregnant?

Since pregnancy hormones affect your mouth, you will want to avoid too many sweets during pregnancy. It is more important now than ever before to brush your teeth after eating any sweets if you have eaten them. If you do get a craving for something sweet, here are a few good ideas: 1 Sugar-free ice pops 2 Sugar-free jello 3 Fresh fruits 4 Dark chocolate 5 A glass of chocolate milk 6 Chocolate dipped banana 7 Sugar-free candy

Can you use novocaine for oral sedation?

Instead of worrying about novocaine and breastfeeding, there are alternative mild drugs that you can use for oral sedation. The only issue is that some may remain in your breast milk and cause your infant to become sleepy. Your doctor may recommend that you "pump and dump" some of your breast milk for a certain period of time after your dental work.

Can you get your teeth cleaned while pregnant?

Dentists may have you wait on dental work while you are pregnant unless it is an emergency, but you may be able to get your teeth cleaned. Keep up with your regular 6 month teeth cleanings during your pregnancy. You can always wait on x-rays until after the baby is born, but still get your check-up.

Can you breastfeed a baby without anesthesia?

Doctors mostly agree that breastfeeding mothers can go under general anesthesia for dental work and breastfeed their baby without harm. The type of general anesthesia used in dental and oral surgery offices is actually a type of light sedation that is mild and wears off quickly. Mothers usually nurse just before oral surgery and then nurse after they exit the recovery room. The only complication could be not being alert enough to safely hold your baby.

Can you take novocaine while breastfeeding?

The best way to avoid needing major dental work done while you're breastfeeding is to take very good care of your teeth while you are pregnant . This can help avoid major issues. The hormones in pregnancy can be hard on teeth and lead to things like bleeding gums, decay, and plaque buildup.

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