Is It Safe To Take Antibiotics When Pregnant
Studies have shown some antibiotics to be safe during pregnancy, while some may have potential adverse effects on the mother or fetus. The safety may also depend on the dose, duration of antibiotic treatment, and gestational age. Additionally, metabolic and immunological changes during pregnancy may change the behavior of drugs inside the body and impact antibiotic therapy . Therefore, you should take antibiotics only when prescribed by the doctor.
Lets Understand The Common Cause Of Having Teeth Pain During Pregnancy
- As mentioned earlier, morning sickness is one of the reasons for your dental troubles during pregnancy. When your teeth come in frequent contact with stomach acid, it may cause tooth sensitivity or dental cavities, which causes toothache.
- Diet changes during pregnancy. If an expecting mother consumes more dairy products or sugary products, it increases your chances of having dental problems.
- The calcium requirement increases during pregnancy as it needs to facilitate the calcium necessities of a growing fetus. Nevertheless, if you do not consume adequate amounts of calcium during pregnancy, it easily leads to demineralization of your tooth enamel, causing toothaches and pains.
- Sometimes, pregnancy may make your gums and teeth sensitive, which may lead to improper brushing frequently. As a result, dental problems may occur, which causes tooth pain during pregnancy.
Most of the time, it is easier to prevent dental issues, even during pregnancy. Have a look at the simple remedies to prevent teeth issues during pregnancy
Simple precautionary practices at home will help you to stay away from teeth issues during pregnancy. However, if you face any dental problems, do not delay visiting a dentist. The earlier you start treatment, the earlier you will get relief. The untreated dental issues can lead to severe complications in the later stage of pregnancy. So, have a regular dental check-up with your preferred dentist.
FAQs
1. How do you get rid of a toothache while pregnant?
Preventing Teeth Pain During Pregnancy
Your body is going through a ton of changes right now. Pregnancy may seem to amplify them. Since you probably have different dietary habits than you did pre-pregnancy or youre battling extra acid exposure due to morning sickness and heartburn there are some things you can do to keep your teeth healthy.
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Should You Treat Toothache During Pregnancy
Most pregnant women are worried about having their teeth treated during pregnancy. However, doctors and dentists still recommend having any dental problems treated during pregnancy, with some precautions using x-rays and taking medication for toothache pain relief.
- X-Rays During Pregnancy
Many women are concerned about getting any kind of x-ray during pregnancyeven dental x-rays. If you have a toothache during pregnancy, the dentist will try to take care of the problem without doing x-rays if this is possible. If it is necessary to do x-rays to take care of the problem, the dentist will ask you to wear a lead apron and a lead covering over your thyroid gland so that the x-rays do not get to these areas. The x-rays can then be safely done and the dentist will have more information available to help treat your dental problem.
- Medications During Pregnancy
There are a variety of medications available for toothache pain, some of which are not appropriate to be used in pregnancy. For example, research has indicated that taking Percocet or oxycodone during pregnancy can result in unwanted birth defects. Because of issues like this, it is important to tell the dentist that you are pregnant so that safe medications in pregnancy, such as acetaminophen can be used instead. Antibiotics may also be required. Some antibiotics, like penicillin, are safe to take in pregnancy and will be prescribed for you for the management of infections that need antibiotics during pregnancy.
What Uti Medications Are Safe During Pregnancy
Most UTIs are caused by bacteria. So theyre usually treated with antibiotics. Its important to finish all of the antibiotic doses prescribed to you, even if you start to feel better. If you dont finish your antibiotics, you may be at risk for a future infection thats resistant to common UTI medications.
There are a few antibiotics for UTIs that are considered safe during pregnancy.
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What Conditions Require Preventive Antibiotic Treatments
Under normal circumstances and in most average wisdom teeth extraction cases, antibiotics are usually not prescribed before such a procedure however, there are specific cases where preventive antibiotics are warranted and prescribing antibiotics is part of best practice and patient care. Here are some unique circumstances that often require antibiotic treatment before wisdom teeth extraction:
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Oral Health During Pregnancy
Whether youre pregnant or not, proper daily oral health is essential for the prevention of dental issues and the maintenance of a beautiful smile. As mentioned above, since pregnancy can render the mouth sensitive, it might be a good idea to be a little gentler around the area.Oral Hygiene Tips for Pregnant Women
- Continue brushing your teeth and gums twice daily and flossing and rinsing your mouth once daily.
- Schedule your biannual dentist appointment as you normally would.
- Opt for sensitivity toothpaste, home remedies like clove oil for temporary pain relief if you experience painful inflammation.
- See your dentist for routine dental health care, and postpone cosmetic work until you are no longer pregnant if possible.
- Try to visit your dentist during your first or second trimester to avoid back pain from occurring in your third trimester.
- Smile often during your pregnancy to encourage positive growth in you and your child!
The main takeaway here is to feel comfortable about visiting the dentist while youre pregnant. Your dentist is a trained professional who will work to eliminate as much stress as possible during your procedure. Rest assured that you and your baby are safe and sound in a dentist chair.
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Antibiotics Used In Dentistry
- Penicillin: A common class of antibiotic with minor side effects that treats a broad range of bacterial infections
- Amoxicillin and ampicillin: Antibiotics in the penicillin family that treat a greater variety of infections
- Metronidazole: An antibiotic with antimicrobial properties that is regularly used to treat acute ulcerative gingivitis and is frequently used in conjunction with penicillin
- Erythromycin: A broad spectrum antibiotic administered to patients allergic to penicillin
- Cephalosporin: An antibiotic appropriate for those with penicillin allergies and used to treat a range of bacterial infections
- Tetracycline: An antibiotic used to treat a spectrum of infections, can cause grey stains on erupting teeth, and should not be prescribed to pregnant women or children under 12
- Sulphonamides: A group of antibiotics that can penetrate cerebrospinal fluid, often prescribed as a prophylactic to prevent bacterial meningitis for those with high infection risk
- Co-trimoxazole: An antibiotic that targets specific bacterial infections and requires a bacteriological sensitivity test
Wilson W, Taubert KA, Gewitz M, Lockhart PB, Baddour LM, Levison M, et al.
Circulation 2007 116:1736-54.
Wilson W, Taubert KA, Gewitz M, Lockhart PB, Baddour LM, Levison M, et al.
J Am Dent Assoc 2008 139 Suppl:3S-24S Accessed July 2018.
What is antibiotic prophylaxis. American Dental Association. J Amer Dent Assoc. 2016. Vol. 147 p. 526.
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Can We Do Everything And At Any Time
It depends on your pregnancy stage and the kind of intervention you will need to have.
During the first trimester of pregnancy, the risk of miscarriage is higher. It is better to do only emergency procedures: treat a cavity, an infection, In short, act only to reduce stress, pain, and control potential infectious risks.
Between the 3rd and 6th month, there are many things you can do, including treatment to control infectious or painful pathologies that are progressing or likely to progress. Then you need to do an assessment to see if it is better to wait until after delivery for more complex interventions.
At the end of pregnancy, as in the beginning, only emergency treatments that provide relief are performed. Women feel discomfort due to weight gain, their movements are limited, and the risk of childbirth increases as the term approaches.
The second trimester is therefore considered the safest and most recommended time to receive dental treatment.
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Is It Safe To Take Antibiotics While Pregnant
Its not uncommon for women to take antibiotics when pregnant. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , 68.9% of women with a urinary tract infection filled an antibiotic prescription during pregnancy in 2013-2015.
Even though its relatively common, does that make it safe? Not always.
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Anesthesia And Pain Medicine During Pregnancy
The next common question expectant mothers ask regarding root canal treatment and pregnancy is about the safety of anesthesia and pain medication.
Thankfully, the American Dental Association says that local anesthesia does not pose a risk to a developing fetus. They recommend local anesthetics with epinephrine such as Bupivacaine, Lidocaine, and Mepivacaine.
The American Pregnancy Association recommends using as little anesthesia as possible, but still using enough to provide a comfortable level of pain relief.
Also, dental procedures like a root canal may require the use of antibiotics to prevent or treat an active infection. If that applies to your case, your dental professional will follow the current standard regarding which specific antibiotics are appropriate and their correct dosage. Most antibiotics like Amoxicillin are perfectly fine to use during pregnancy, but be sure to carefully follow each instruction to a T and reach out to the provider if any questions arise.
In more severe instances, patients may prefer to utilize pain management for a few days after their root canal therapy. While pregnant, ibuprofen and Advil must be avoided. You will want to stick with acetaminophen based medications like Tylenol. Be sure to discuss this with your dental professional since the correct dosage and medication vary depending on how far along you are, as well as individual concerns.
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How To Prevent Teeth Pain During Pregnancy
With everything youll go through during pregnancy, physically speaking, youll want to minimize the likelihood of tooth pain. This starts with excellent oral hygiene habits, which are important due to the risk of developing dental problems. Heres what you can do:
- Dont skimp on dental care. Youll be more tired and achy, so it might be easy to go to bed without brushing your teeth dont. Stick to a good routine. Brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss once a day. Also, use a fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash to prevent cavities and strengthen your teeth.
- Drink water or rinse out your mouth after vomiting, if you have morning sickness. This helps remove stomach acid from teeth. Dont immediately brush your teeth, though. This might seem odd, but the acidity level in your mouth increases after vomiting. Brushing can do more harm than good, so wait at least an hour after vomiting before brushing your teeth.
- Tell your dentist that youre pregnant and see if you need more frequent cleanings. Also, speak with your health insurance provider. Some plans cover extra dental cleanings during pregnancy.
- Limit sugary foods and carbohydrates. Snack on healthy foods like raw vegetables, whole-wheat crackers, and fruit.
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Are Antibiotics Necessary After Tooth Extraction
Tooth extraction involves either a simple procedure or a surgery may be required. In either case, there would be a wound viz., a small or a lengthy incision from where one might bleed. With an open wound, the chances of infection go high. Moreover, pain and inflammation are some of the most common symptoms in the post tooth extraction phase.
Antibiotics are a group of drugs which inhibit or prevent the growth of microbes. They even kill the micro-organisms that cause different diseases or infections. These organisms are usually referred to as pathogens. Antibiotics are particularly antibacterial drugs. Whenever, there is a chance of infection, a doctor usually prescribes antibiotics to prevent its likelihood. Similarly, in case of tooth extraction, the dentist might advise the intake of antibiotics for a few days1. What needs to be understood here is that whether an antibiotic is necessary after a tooth extraction or not. Before we delve into understanding it, let us first understand the tooth extraction procedure.
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Safe Antibiotics In Pregnancy
Some antibiotics that are generally considered safe during pregnancy include:
- Penicillins, including amoxicillin and ampicillin
- Macrolides, including erythromycin and azithromycin
- Cephalosporins, including cephalexin
- Metronidazole, which isn’t an antibiotic but is used to treat some vaginal infections, such as trichomoniasis and bacterial vaginosis, as well as other kinds of infections
Studies on some of these antibiotics have found mixed conclusions on whether they can cause birth defects. It can be hard to determine for sure what caused a birth defect, as there are many factors in any given pregnancy, and an antibiotic is just one factor. The likelihood of these antibiotics causing problems for your baby is extremely low.
So Who Needs An Amoxicillin Dose Before Dental Work With Mvp
Patients who are at highest risk of developing heart infections like infective endocarditis should take antibiotics before invasive medical and dental procedures, if prescribed by their doctor.
According to the updated AHA guidelines, MVP patients who have a history of endocarditis are among the highest risk patients. Those who have certain heart defects, a prosthetic heart valve, and/or have had valve repair with prosthetic materials also fall into the very high risk category.
While it is clear that people with mitral valve degeneration and/or regurgitation are more likely to develop endocarditis in some situations, the majority of doctors today will generally not prescribe antibiotics before dental work with mitral valve prolapse, as the risk of infection is minute.
The consequences of infection can be serious, though, and the antibiotics risk is small, so some physicians may continue to prescribe prophylaxis to patients with severe forms of MVP.
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A Toothache That Is Worse After An Antibiotic
According to the American Academy of Family Physicians , dental emergencies are extremely common and cause missed time at work and school 1. Most emergencies are the result of a severe toothache. Analgesics and antibiotics are frequently prescribed to relieve the pain. A toothache that is worse after an antibiotic has been prescribed may be distressing, but it is a definite possibility.
Medications For The Treatment Of Urinary Tract Infection During Pregnancy
Antibiotic medications are frequently used to treat urinary tract infections in women who are pregnant. They are typically prescribed for three to 10 days, depending on the type of medication and the severity of the infection. Common antibiotics that have been approved for the treatment of urinary tract infections during pregnancy include:
- Penicillins: Penicillins, including amoxicillin, were once the principle treatment of choice for urinary tract infections, but are ineffective against E. coli-driven UTIs in up to 30 percent of cases. They are, however, useful against urinary tract infections caused by other bacteria, such as Staphylococcus saprophyticus or Enterococcus. Stubborn, drug-resistant infections may have to be addressed with Augmentin . Penicillins are typically prescribed for 10 days and are generally well tolerated by most patients. Side effects include diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain, and vaginal itching or discharge.
- Cephalosporins: Cephalosporins include medications such as cephalexin , cefuroxime and cefadrozil . These antibiotics are currently the most widely prescribed medications for UTIs, but can only be used in the first and second trimesters. Because of their potency, cephalosporins are usually prescribed for three to seven days and are well tolerated. Side effects of these medications include upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
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Benefits Of Taking Amoxicillin For A Tooth Infection
All antibiotics work by stopping the growth of bacteria that cause an infection, which can also alleviate your pain.
Amoxicillin, a type of antibiotic known as a penicillin class antibiotic, is one of the most common antibiotics prescribed by doctors for that reason, its considered a front-line antibiotic.
Other front-line antibiotics include penicillin, cephalexin, clindamycin, and azithromycin.
Along with treating pneumonia, bronchitis, urinary tract infections, and ear infections, amoxicillin also works well for tooth infections.
While a mild abscessed tooth may resolve on its own, dentists often prescribe amoxicillin if theyre concerned the infection could spread, or when a patient has a weakened immune system.
There are many types of antibiotics that work for tooth infection, but amoxicillin is one of the most common because of how effective it is against the type of bacteria involved.
Compared to other antibiotics, amoxicillin also generally causes fewer major side effects, making it a great first option for treating an abscessed tooth.
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Bacteria And Tooth Decay
To understand why your dentist might prescribe antibiotics for a toothache, you must first understand how bacteria contribute to tooth decay and toothaches. Without regular, twice-daily brushing with proper technique, the bacteria in your mouth can grow and turn the foods you eat into acid that then gets deposited on your teeth. This promotes cavity formation and tooth decay. As the American Dental Association explains, frequent sugar intake can especially fuel the bacteria that break down tooth structure. The type of bacteria that primarily cause cavities is Streptococcus mutans, as a study in PLOS ONE notes.
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