Can dental X-rays harm pregnancy?
The amount of radiation used in a dental X-ray is very low and, according to both the American Dental Association and the American Pregnancy Association, is not enough to cause any harm to a pregnant woman or her baby.
Why would you avoid X-rays during a dental visit while pregnant?
Dental X-rays Have Very Low Radiation Emissions And X-rays simply do not produce high levels of radiation. Fetal exposure to more than 10 rads (unit of measurement for radiation absorption) has been linked to mental retardation and eye abnormalities.
Do I need to tell my dentist I’m pregnant?
Tell your dentist (and doctor) if you are pregnant. Routine dental care can be done any time during pregnancy. Any urgent procedure can be done, as well. All elective dental procedures, however, should be postponed until after the delivery.
Can dental problems cause miscarriages?
Brief Summary: Oral infections can trigger the production of pro-inflammatory mediators that may be risk factors for miscarriage.
How can radiation affect a pregnant woman?
Depending on the stage of fetal development, the health consequences of exposure at doses greater than 0.5 Gy can be severe, even if such a dose is too low to cause an immediate effect for the mother. The health consequences can include growth restriction, malformations, impaired brain function, and cancer.
How does radiation affect early pregnancy?
During the first 2 weeks of pregnancy, the radiation-related health effect of greatest concern is the death of the baby. The fetus is made up of only a few cells during the first 2 weeks of pregnancy. Damage to one cell can cause the death of the embryo before the mother even knows that she is pregnant.
Is it okay to get dental work while pregnant?
Dental treatment can be done at any time during pregnancy. However, the best time to perform elective dental treatment during pregnancy is in the second trimester, weeks 14 through 20. Keep in mind that if you have a dental infection or swelling, you might need immediate treatment.