Dental Treatment - a Dilemma for Pregnant Mothers – Part 1

Apprehension of a dentist to treat a pregnant woman is nearly reasonable considering the vast number of changes taking place in the body. These vast changes could pose a significant risk to the health of a pregnant woman undergoing dental treatment. This makes it mandatory for a dentist to be aware of the dos and don'ts of treating such patients to ensure maximum safety to the mother and her growing foetus. It is important to fully understand the specific changes occurring during each trimester to appropriately modify the treatment approach starting from scheduling of appointments and correct chair positions to major surgical procedures. Knowledge about the pharmacological actions and limitations of drugs administered during this period is essential. Each branch of dentistry has a distinct modality of treating expectant mothers. Hence, the purpose of this article is to emphasize on the dental services that a pregnant woman can receive without hesitation and to give a complete picture to the dentist regarding the specific alterations that he needs to make in treating such patients.