Visiting a dentist during pregnancy

It is a common perception among pregnant women that they should refrain from visiting a dentist till they deliver a baby. But this is just a myth, because it is very crucial to maintain good oral hygiene during pregnancy. The reason for this is that many disorders start from poor oral hygiene.

Routine dental visits are safe during pregnancy. It is good to schedule a dental appointment, but this visit should be restricted to minor oral procedures, like tooth cleaning, dental filling etc.

Pregnancy is divided into three trimesters: First trimester (first, second and third month); second trimester (fourth, fifth and sixth month); and third trimester (seventh, eighth and ninth month).

The second trimester is best for dental treatment: the best time to see a dentist is during the second trimester of pregnancy. This is because there are chances of miscarriage during the first trimester of pregnancy, if you undergo extensive dental procedures, like dental extraction and during the third trimester, dental procedures can bring anxiety in the patient, thereby causing early labour pains.