Going to the dentist during pregnancy is not only safe but, as we have seen, absolutely necessary for the wellbeing of mother and baby if there are problems with the teeth or gums. Unfortunately, recent data confirm that fewer than half of pregnant women have dental check-ups, because they are worried about the safety of the foetus; mothers-to-be are especially concerned about anaesthesia and dental X-rays.
The safety of dental X-rays in pregnant patients has been a controversial topic since the 1960s. An article recently published in the Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA) summarised and consolidated the findings from 1957 to 2021 on the effects that dental ionising radiation might have on a pregnant patient and on birth defects in utero, showing that necessary dental radiography is safe at any stage of pregnancy, provided that adequate safety equipment is used.
When performed correctly, the amount of ionising radiation produced during dental radiographic procedures is so low that it is unlikely to cause anomalies or malformations in the embryo or foetus.
As technology advances, new research may shed further light on the safety of ionising radiation for pregnant patients. In the meantime, if you are expecting, do not hesitate to ask your trusted dentist to clear up any doubts.
Sources:
“A historical review of the effects of dental radiography on pregnant patients”
• Caroline K. Flagler, BS
• Christopher M. Troici, BA
• Sonali A. Rathore, BDS, MS, FICD
Published: August 16th, 2022
“Pregnancy and oral health”
• Anita M. Mark
Published on JADA: March 1st, 2021
Credits: Photo by Juan Encalada on Unsplash
