How pregnancy affects your mouth
Hormonal changes during pregnancy increase blood flow to the gums and amplify their inflammatory response to plaque. The gums become more sensitive, swollen and bleed more easily when brushing or flossing.
Other changes occur too. Morning sickness exposes the teeth to stomach acid, which increases the risk of enamel erosion, and the protective components of saliva change.
Some women also crave sweet snacks more often, which raises the risk of tooth decay. All of this calls for an adapted oral hygiene routine throughout pregnancy.
Is it safe to have dental treatment during pregnancy?
Dental treatment during pregnancy is not only allowed, it is important for the health of both mother and baby. Avoiding all dental care out of fear can lead to more serious problems: an untreated dental infection can worsen and spread. Advanced gum disease (periodontitis) has also been associated with pregnancy complications, as explained below. Pregnancy gingivitis should therefore be followed closely and treated in time.
Preventive, diagnostic and restorative dental treatments are considered safe throughout pregnancy, and urgent treatment should not be postponed (ADA; ACOG Committee Opinion No. 569).
According to ACOG and the ADA, local anesthesia is considered safe during pregnancy. Tell your dentist that you are pregnant, and tell your obstetrician about the planned treatment. When needed, the clinic coordinates with your obstetrician, especially in high-risk pregnancies, and reviews your health status and any medications before planning treatment.
| Type of care | What is recommended during pregnancy |
|---|---|
| Preventive and diagnostic care (check-up, cleaning, X-ray when needed) | At any stage of pregnancy |
| Urgent care (pain, infection, swelling) | Right away, at any stage of pregnancy; do not postpone it (see emergency dentist) |
| Planned, non-urgent care (for example a filling) | At any stage, at a time that is comfortable for you and coordinated with your OB-GYN; in the third trimester, your position in the chair is adjusted |
Are dental X-rays safe during pregnancy?
Dental X-rays can be taken safely throughout pregnancy when there is a clinical reason. The radiation dose of a standard dental X-ray is very low. X-rays are taken only when the information is expected to change treatment, at the lowest reasonable dose (the ALARA principle: As Low As Reasonably Achievable).
- Shielding: ACOG's 2013 opinion mentions shielding of the abdomen and thyroid; the ADA's updated 2024 recommendations (based on the AAOMR 2023 review) no longer call for lead aprons or thyroid collars for any patient, including during pregnancy.
- Digital X-rays usually reduce the dose compared with conventional film.
- Necessary X-rays should not be delayed: when an X-ray is needed to diagnose a deep infection, an abscess or a fracture, the risk from the infection itself far outweighs the negligible risk of the X-ray.
Dental treatments that are safe during pregnancy
Professional cleanings and preventive care are the cornerstone of dental care during pregnancy.
Cleanings and gum care
The clinic recommends at least two hygiene visits during pregnancy, and more when gingivitis is present. Scaling and root planing are considered safe; according to the ADA, treating gum disease during pregnancy is not associated with adverse outcomes for mother or baby.
Restorative treatment
Fillings, crowns, root canal treatment and extractions can be done at any stage when there is a clinical need. Since 2020 the FDA recommends avoiding amalgam (mercury) fillings, when possible, in pregnant or breastfeeding women; a sound amalgam filling does not need to be replaced. If an antibiotic is needed, it is prescription-only, decided by the dentist in coordination with your obstetrician.
Comfortable positioning
Especially in the third trimester, the chair position is adapted to avoid pressure on the large vein of the abdomen (vena cava): the patient is tilted slightly to the left, appointments are kept shorter and breaks are offered during longer treatments.
Examination, treatment plan and price quote
detailed and personalized
During the consultation, Dr Haim Aseriel examines your teeth, explains all the options and gives you a transparent price quote, with no obligation. The clinic is at 12 HaTnufa Street, Jerusalem.
Dental treatments to postpone until after delivery
Elective cosmetic treatments, which do not respond to an urgent clinical need, are best postponed until after the baby is born.
Cosmetic treatments
Teeth whitening has not been shown to be harmful, but there are not enough long-term studies in pregnant women, so it is postponed as a precaution. Extensive cosmetic work, such as multiple porcelain veneers, is best planned after pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Dental implants
Dental implant placement is a planned surgical procedure with more complex healing and follow-up X-rays, so it is usually postponed until after delivery. If a tooth has to be extracted during pregnancy, a temporary solution can be offered until the permanent restoration.
Gum disease during pregnancy
Pregnancy gingivitis is common: according to the CDC, 60% to 75% of pregnant women have gingivitis. The gums are red, swollen and tender and bleed easily when brushing or eating. It is an exaggerated reaction to an amount of plaque that would not normally cause such inflammation, not a new or more dangerous infection.
Pregnancy tumor (pyogenic granuloma)
In a minority of pregnant women, a red, benign growth appears on the gum, usually between two teeth. Despite its name, it is not cancer: it is an inflammatory overgrowth of gum tissue. It can grow quickly and bleed easily, and in most cases it disappears on its own after delivery.
Periodontitis
Untreated gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, a deeper inflammation that destroys the supporting tissues and bone around the teeth. According to the ADA, periodontitis has been associated with pregnancy complications such as preterm birth, low birth weight and preeclampsia, but a causal relationship has not been proven.
Tips for healthy teeth and gums during pregnancy
An adapted daily routine is the key to preventing dental problems during pregnancy.
1. Brushing and flossing
The ADA recommends brushing twice a day for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste, using a soft or extra-soft brush. Do not brush more gently for fear of bleeding: thorough plaque removal is what keeps the inflammation from worsening. Clean between your teeth once a day with floss or interdental brushes.
2. Mouth rinses
An antibacterial mouthwash may help with persistent gingivitis; ask your dentist which product to use during pregnancy. A warm salt-water rinse (half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water) soothes sensitive gums.
3. Diet and morning sickness
A balanced diet rich in calcium, phosphorus and protein supports your teeth and your baby's developing teeth. Avoid frequent snacking on sweet or acidic foods. After vomiting, rinse with water or with a teaspoon of baking soda dissolved in water (an ADA recommendation) to neutralize the acid, and do not brush right away.
Dental care during pregnancy in Jerusalem, in English
Dr Haim Aseriel, a US-trained dentist (DDS, NYU College of Dentistry), adapts treatment to your medical situation and stage of pregnancy, explains everything in English and coordinates with your obstetrician when needed. You receive a written plan and itemized receipts you can submit to your insurer. The clinic is at 12 HaTnufa Street in Talpiot, south Jerusalem, open Sun 8:00–19:00 · Mon 9:00–19:00 · Tue–Wed 9:00–21:00 · Thu 8:30–21:00 · Fri 8:00–14:00.
Dental treatment during pregnancy: frequently asked questions
Yes. According to the American Dental Association (ADA) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), preventive, diagnostic and restorative dental care is safe throughout pregnancy, and urgent treatment should not be postponed. Local anesthesia is also considered safe. Tell your dentist you are pregnant and tell your obstetrician about the planned treatment.
Dental X-rays are considered safe at any stage of pregnancy when they are needed, that is, when the information is expected to change treatment. The radiation dose of a dental X-ray is very low. ACOG's 2013 opinion mentions shielding of the abdomen and thyroid; since 2024 the ADA no longer recommends lead aprons or thyroid collars for any patient, including pregnant women.
Professional cleanings, check-ups and preventive care are safe during pregnancy, as are restorative treatments such as fillings, crowns, root canal treatment and extractions when there is a clinical need. They can be done at any stage of pregnancy, under local anesthesia when needed.
Elective cosmetic treatments, such as teeth whitening or porcelain veneers, are best postponed until after delivery. Dental implant surgery, a planned surgical procedure, is also usually postponed when it is not urgent.
After vomiting, rinse your mouth with water, or with a teaspoon of baking soda dissolved in water, to neutralize stomach acid. Do not brush your teeth right away, because enamel softened by acid is more vulnerable to wear.
Sources
- American Dental Association, Pregnancy (Oral Health Topics), 2025 – View the page
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Committee Opinion No. 569, 2013 (reaffirmed 2025) – View the page
- ADA MouthHealthy, Pregnancy Dental Concerns – View the page
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Talking to Pregnant Women about Oral Health – View the page
- Benavides E et al., Journal of the American Dental Association, 2023 – View the study
- American Dental Association, Updated recommendations to enhance radiography safety in dentistry, 2024 – View the page
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Dental Amalgam Recommendations, 2020 – View the page
