Hello there,
I recently had several porcelain veneers prepped and placed. However, I just learned I am pregnant! I am currently in my first trimester. Would getting those porcelain veneers have caused any harm to my unborn baby?
Thank you,
Suzie, from San Bernardino, CA
Hi Suzie,
Congratulations! To answer your question, you do not have anything to worry about. Doing dental work during pregnancy is safe as long as it does not cause stress to the mother or introduce any harmful substances to the baby. The baby is most sensitive to foreign substances during the earliest stages of pregnancy. This is often before you even know you are pregnant!
During the first trimester of pregnancy, it is important to avoid introducing any foreign agents into your body, as the baby may be sensitive to them. Usually, dental work is safest during the second trimester or later. However, getting your veneers in the first trimester was fine and safe to do. Porcelain veneer placement only requires the use of local anesthesia, which studies have shown to be safe for use in pregnant women during all stages of pregnancy, with no harm done to the baby. The anesthetic your dentist used was most likely Lidocaine, which has been designated as safe to use during pregnancy.
Pregnancy causes lots of changes to your body, including to your teeth! Be sure to keep up a good oral hygiene routine during pregnancy – including brushing, flossing, and using alcohol-free mouthwash at least twice a day (or after your teeth come into contact with food). This will help later on, because once your child is old enough to brush their own teeth, they will have had a good role model at home showing them the importance of oral hygiene.
This blog post is brought to you by Enfield porcelain veneer provider, Dr. William Cummiskey, of Generations Dental Care.