Pregnancy and Dental Care: What Is Safe, X-rays and Gum Changes

This page is general information and does not replace an examination.

How pregnancy affects teeth and gums

Hormonal changes during pregnancy can make the gums more vulnerable to plaque, leading to inflammation and bleeding; some women get swollen, sore gums that bleed^[2]. A systematic review of 33 studies confirmed a significant increase in gum inflammation during pregnancy, higher in the second and third trimesters than in the first and than after the birth, without a matching increase in plaque^[3]. In other words, the same amount of plaque causes more inflammation while you are pregnant.

The American Dental Association lists the oral conditions that are more common in pregnancy^[1]:

• Gingivitis, because hormonal changes exaggerate the gums’ response to bacteria.
• Tooth decay, from more snacking because of cravings, more acid in the mouth from vomiting, a dry mouth, or less thorough cleaning because of nausea.
• Pyogenic granuloma (also called granuloma gravidarum), a round growth on the gum, usually attached by a thin stalk of tissue, that may develop because of hormonal changes.
• Enamel erosion from the stomach acid of morning sickness.

Bleeding gums in pregnancy are explained further in our guides to bleeding gums and gum disease; erosion is covered in our guide to tooth wear and enamel erosion.

Daily care during pregnancy

An NHS community dental service gives this advice for pregnancy^[2]:

• Brush twice a day for 2 minutes, once before bed and at one other time, with a fluoride toothpaste of 1,350–1,500 ppm. Spit, do not rinse.
• Clean between your teeth with floss or interdental brushes.
• Keep sugary food and drinks to mealtimes; water and milk protect the teeth better than sugary drinks.
• If you are sick, rinse your mouth with plain water afterwards. Do not brush straight away, because the acid softens the teeth; wait about an hour.
• Visit your dentist as often as recommended.

Our daily oral care guide explains brushing and cleaning between the teeth step by step.

Dental treatment in pregnancy: what is done when

Guidance differs between countries and clinics. The American Dental Association states that preventive, diagnostic and restorative dental treatment is safe throughout pregnancy, and that the ADA and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists agree that emergency treatment such as extractions, root canal treatment or fillings can be done safely during pregnancy, because delaying it may lead to more complex problems^[1]. Our clinic follows a more cautious protocol, shown side by side below so you can discuss it with your own doctor and dentist.

ADA = American Dental Association, Oral Health Topics: Pregnancy (2025) [1]; NHS [6]. Ulubey Dental Clinic protocol, October 2026.

Dental X-rays during pregnancy

The American Dental Association considers dental radiographs safe for pregnant patients at any stage, and no longer recommends abdominal or thyroid shielding^[1]. Dental X-ray doses are very small; our guide to dental X-rays and CBCT sets out the doses in everyday terms.

Even so, our clinic policy is simple: we do not take dental X-rays during pregnancy. Please tell us if you are or might be pregnant before any appointment. If an urgent problem has to be managed, it is managed without an X-ray, and the X-ray and definitive treatment follow after the birth.

Does treating gum disease prevent premature birth?

Gum disease has been linked with adverse pregnancy outcomes in observational studies, so researchers have tested whether treating it during pregnancy helps. A Cochrane review of 15 randomised trials with 7,161 pregnant women found no clear difference in preterm birth before 37 weeks between periodontal treatment and no treatment (low-quality evidence). There was low-quality evidence that treatment may reduce low birth weight under 2,500 g (9.70% with treatment versus 12.60% without), and all included studies were at high risk of bias^[4].

The practical message is not to rely on gum treatment to prevent premature birth, but to keep the gums healthy because healthy gums matter in their own right. Good daily cleaning before and during pregnancy is the part you control.

Local anaesthetic, painkillers and antibiotics

The American Dental Association states that local anaesthetics with epinephrine (for example bupivacaine, lidocaine or mepivacaine) may be used during pregnancy^[1]. It advises that decisions about medicines for pain relief should be made after consultation with the obstetrician^[1].

Do not take any painkiller or other medicine during pregnancy without asking your doctor, midwife or pharmacist first. Antibiotics are used only when prescribed after an examination; at our clinic any medicine during pregnancy is decided together with your physician.

Breastfeeding and dental treatment

Many breastfeeding mothers postpone dental treatment or stop breastfeeding because they are unsure about local anaesthetic. In a 2025 study, 12 breastfeeding mothers received one dental injection of 4% articaine (68 mg); the amount passing into breast milk was very small, the predicted exposure of the baby was far below the level with any effect, and the authors concluded that mothers can safely resume breastfeeding within 1 to 3 hours of the injection^[5]. The study was small, and other anaesthetics may differ.

The American Dental Association notes that most medicine leaflets carry information about use during breastfeeding^[1]. Tell your dentist that you are breastfeeding before any treatment. Whitening is not recommended while you are breastfeeding^[6].

When to see a dentist during pregnancy

Tell your dentist, and if needed your midwife or doctor, if you notice:

• gums that keep bleeding or swelling despite good brushing and cleaning between the teeth^[2];
• a growth or lump on the gum^[1];
• toothache, a broken tooth or a lost filling;
• sensitive or worn teeth after frequent vomiting^[1].

For pain or swelling outside our opening hours, see emergency dental care in Antalya; on Sundays the clinic is closed and WhatsApp is for urgent cases.

Pregnancy at our clinic

Ulubey Dental Clinic is run by two dentists, Dr. Ali Cem Ulubey and Dr. Surur Ulubey; there are no rotating dentists. During pregnancy:

• No dental X-rays during pregnancy.
• Treatment is avoided as far as possible. Only urgent work is done, in the second trimester, and only with your physician’s approval.
• Holding treatment: for example, a tooth that needs root canal treatment is opened, dressed and sealed with a temporary filling, and the definitive treatment is done after the birth.
• Elective treatment waits: whitening, veneers, crowns and implant surgery are planned for after the birth; our page who can get dental implants explains the timing for implants.
• Medical history: tell us about your pregnancy, any medicines and any pregnancy-related conditions; our guide to oral health and medical conditions explains why this matters.

If you are planning treatment in Antalya after the birth, you can send photos on WhatsApp now and we explain what can be planned, and when.

Frequently asked questions