Dental radiographs in pregnancy
- Preventative Dental Procedures
Preventative dental cleanings are safe and recommended during pregnancy because they can help to prevent gingivitis and its complications.
Additionally, cavity fillings and crowns can be put in to help reduce the risk of infection.
How does pregnancy affect dental health?
The lack of routine dental check-ups and the postponement of dental treatments expose the pregnant patient to a greater risk of dental infections
The immunological changes during pregnancy influence oral health
In particular, the suppression of some neutrophil functions may explain the aggravation of gingivitis
According to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), dental x-rays are generally safe during pregnancy. Still, controversy is generally prevalent in the literature surrounding this issue due to radiation exposure's elusive results. Hence, after studying the high radiation exposure in pregnancy, such x-rays are not recommended.The amount of radiation produced by dental x-rays today is minimal, and the fetus will not be exposed at all. In fact, the American Dental Association (ADA) and the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have determined that they are safe for everyone, including children and pregnant women.The risk to the foetus from a few µSv of radiation exposure arising from a dental radiographic procedure is extremely small. The cancer risk to the unborn child resulting from a 10 µSv foetal dose is several thousand times less than the background risk of childhood cancer.
