Nine months is too long to leave teeth untreated, and most dental procedures are allowed in pregnancy. Which ones, when, and how much of the "wait until after" advice is true. The short answer
Yes, you can and should see a dentist during pregnancy. Untreated decay and gum inflammation are a bigger risk in pregnancy than treatment is. The difference is only in timing and in a few materials: what is done right away, what is planned for the second trimester, what waits until after the birth.
What happens to teeth and gums
Hormones make the gums more reactive to plaque: they swell, bleed on brushing, and sometimes grow a soft red lump, pregnancy gingivitis. It affects most pregnant women and goes away after the birth if plaque is removed; if not, it progresses to inflammation of the bone around the teeth. Vomiting in the first trimester and more frequent snacking make the mouth acidic, and enamel suffers. The idea that the baby "takes calcium from the mother's teeth" is a myth: teeth suffer from acid and plaque, not from the baby.
What is allowed, by trimester
| Trimester | Recommended | Postpone |
|---|---|---|
| 1st (to week 12) | Check-up, hygiene, urgent treatment if there is pain or infection. | Routine fillings, crowns and dentures can wait. |
| 2nd (weeks 13–27) | The best time for everything: fillings, root canals, extractions, hygiene. | Whitening, implants. |
| 3rd (from week 28) | Hygiene, urgent treatment. Short visits, semi-reclined position. | Long procedures, planned surgery. |
Anaesthesia
Local anaesthesia is allowed and advised in pregnancy: pain and stress for the mother do more harm than the anaesthetic. The dentist chooses a preparation without adrenaline or with the minimum amount. Always mention the pregnancy when booking, even if it does not show yet; it changes both the choice of anaesthetic and the decision about X-rays.
X-rays
A dental X-ray delivers a very small dose aimed away from the abdomen, but it is not taken in pregnancy without a reason. If an image is needed to decide on treatment, it is taken with a lead apron. In the first trimester X-rays are postponed unless the situation is acute.
What to do about bleeding gums
Do not stop brushing; that is exactly when plaque stays and bleeding gets worse. A soft brush, fluoride toothpaste, floss every evening and professional hygiene once a trimester rather than once every six months. After vomiting, rinse with water and brush 30 minutes later, not immediately, while the enamel is softened.
When to come without waiting
- A tooth hurts, especially at night: an inflamed nerve does not settle on its own in pregnancy, and the choice of painkillers is limited.
- A swollen gum, a pimple on the gum, or pus.
- A chipped tooth with a sharp edge or a lost filling: exposed dentine becomes painful fast.
If you are not sure, call: we will tell you whether to come now or whether it can wait, and offer the nearest available time.
Before the visit
Bring your maternity record or a note from your gynaecologist if you have one; tell us the week of pregnancy, your medication and your blood pressure. If a procedure needs agreeing with your gynaecologist, we will say so.
Booking
Laurus Dent plus, Spikeri, Riga, Monday to Friday 8:00–20:00. Consultation 20–40 EUR, hygiene 80–85 EUR. Call +371 67224064 or book online. More on hygiene on the service page.