Can pregnant women have anesthesia when having a tooth extracted?

Strictly speaking, it is not suitable for pregnant women to have their teeth extracted, especially in the first three months and the last three months. Tooth extraction in the first three months may cause miscarriage, while in the last three months it may induce premature birth. If a pregnant woman has serious dental problems and must have a tooth extracted, she must wait until the second trimester (4-6 months of pregnancy) to have the tooth extracted. At this time, local anesthesia can be used for tooth extraction, and the doctor will choose an anesthetic suitable for pregnant women (such as lidocaine), but general anesthesia cannot be used as the drug will affect fetal development. Anesthesia is also necessary as the tooth extraction process is too painful and the pregnant mother may suffer a miscarriage due to excessive pain.

What are the dangers of tooth extraction during pregnancy?

1. Tooth extraction often requires X-rays, which has a greater impact on the fetus in early pregnancy (within 2 months) and should be avoided as much as possible, except in cases where the mother's life is endangered.

2. Tooth extraction uses anesthetics and the pain caused by the operation itself can easily induce uterine contractions, which may lead to miscarriage in the early stage (within 4 months) or premature birth in the late stage (after 8 months).

3. Tooth extraction during pregnancy is mostly because this tooth itself is a diseased tooth and the condition is more serious, so tooth extraction often requires the use of antibiotics. The effects of antibiotics on pregnancy are more complicated. It is generally recommended to only use relatively safe antibiotics such as penicillin.

The editor reminds: Before tooth extraction, you should get enough rest, sleep, take good oral care, and relax mentally. Pregnant women with a history of habitual miscarriage and premature birth should not have tooth extraction.

How to treat pregnant women without tooth extraction

1. Conservative treatment in hospital

Pregnant women cannot have their teeth extracted, but they can receive conservative treatment: if the inflammation is mild, the doctor will generally recommend local medication and flushing, and the treatment should be effective after one to two weeks. However, if it is a more serious inflammation such as osteomyelitis or deep space abscess, the doctor may choose to treat and relieve temporary symptoms, and may also give the pregnant mother anti-inflammatory drugs depending on the specific situation. But remember, pregnant women must take medicines as prescribed by their doctor and do not assume that they can just follow the instructions.

2. Life hacks

1. Place a peppercorn on the painful area and hold it in your mouth.

2. Place a mint on the painful tooth.

3. Apply garlic slices on painful gums to reduce inflammation.

4. Cut the garlic into thin slices and apply it to the pulse point of your wrist. If the toothache is on the left side, apply it to the pulse point of your right wrist. If you have a toothache on the right side, placing it on your left wrist can relieve some of the pain.

5. Rinse your mouth with saturated concentrated salt water (take an appropriate amount of water and add salt until it no longer dissolves). Concentrated salt water helps to reduce inflammation. You can also dip a cotton swab in concentrated salt water and bite it on the swollen and painful tooth for a while. Be sure to rinse your mouth with boiled water afterwards.

6. Hold aloe vera: Cut a small piece of aloe vera, peel off the skin, and hold the pulp containing sticky liquid in the painful area. It will relieve itself in 2 to 4 hours.

7. Take an ice cube and rub the V-shaped area between the thumb and index finger bones, and gently press the ice cube on this area for 5 to 7 minutes. Apply for 15 minutes each time, at least 3 to 4 times a day.