Preconception Dental Check-Ups
By Shiraz Asif | Published on May 25, 2011 | 0 Comments
For couples that are planning on conceiving in the near future, Dr. Shiraz Asif of Anderson Lake Dental says that coming in for a preconception dental check-up is an excellent idea. A cosmetic dentist in Eden Prairie is extremely restricted in the types of dental procedures he can perform on pregnant patients, which is why women should come in to get any necessary dental work done before they conceive.
Of course, Dr. Asif is a cosmetic dentist in Eden Prairie who is quick to point out that many pregnancies are unplanned or unexpected. In these cases, it would be impossible for a woman to visit her dentist for a preconception dental check-up. Nonetheless, in an ideal world every woman would get a comprehensive evaluation – in addition to new set of x-rays – before becoming pregnant.
Research has shown that women who are pregnant are at an increased risk for a whole host of dental problems, including gum disease and pregnancy tumors. These issues come up not because women are not brushing and flossing their teeth regularly, but because of the hormonal changes that their bodies go through. These hormonal changes end up affecting the gums, and leading to cases of periodontitis or gum disease.
Dr. Asif says it is always better for women to come in for cleanings before they conceive, so they can avoid any unnecessary decay or cavities during their nine months of pregnancy. Although dentists can do dental work on pregnant patients, they prefer to avoid it whenever possible.
In situations where a woman’s pregnancy is a surprise, Dr. Asif would recommend coming in for a visit to the cosmetic dentist in Eden Prairie as soon as possible to start seeking dental care. At that point, Dr. Asif would not be doing any x-rays – at least not for the first three or four months. However, he would recommend a cleaning in order to get the gums into the best possible shape they can be going forward into the pregnancy.
Women who are currently pregnant or thinking about conceiving in the near future should bring this information up with their dentist or hygienist when they visit the office. Although Dr. Asif’s staff has been trained to ask about pregnancy while taking their routine medical histories before every appointment, not every office is run in the same way. It is always best for a patient to tell her dentist any information that seems like it might be pertinent in the way her dental care is managed.
*Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.