Worried about dentist tomorrow :(

[Opheliasgoldenwine]

I have a fear of dentist at the best of times, I'm not actually signed up to one because of this (bad, I know). However, after a phone call to 111, I have an emergency appointment for tomorrow (well, they gave me the number to ring, but the dental nurse I spoke to says it could be serious and it's 100% and abscess, but a bad one from the sounds of it. That alone scares me, however, I'm 6+3 days pregnant and I'm worried that if they need to do something there and then (which was implied), is it A) safe (as in anaesthetic) and B) I'm panicking that they'd do it without pain relief; they wouldn't, would they?? If it was extraction or root canal?? Sorry for being a baby, I'm just really scared

If you have an abscess they will probably give you antibiotics to get rid of it before doing treatment. They wouldn’t do treatment like extraction while you have the infection. That’s my experience anyway

OP don't worry, i had a tooth extraction at 9:30 this morning, and I'm 23+1. The dentist can still use local anaesthetic and it won't harm the baby. I was reluctant to have the tooth out as I have a fear of dentists too, however it's better to get it sorted now rather than down the line. Just make sure you tell them you are pregnant just in case of x-rays etc. Good luck!

They don’t like to do too much in the first trimester or the third trimester. Especially if you need X-rays I don’t think they would do them in the first 12 weeks. They will most likely give medication and treat any discomfort and ask you to return at a later date in the pregnancy or after the baby is born.

Sorry just read other posts, I wasn't aware dentists wouldn't do extractions etc in the first trimester, so yes they will probably give you antibiotics for now. Try and not worry!

Well, I needn't have worried because I can't go until tomorrow. They rung me this morning and said the closest dentist is two hours each way which no bus goes to (we live rurally) and I physically couldn't have gotten there today, I could've done one that was an hour each way but not two, I told her that and that 111 said I needed to go in today and she said that was all she could do, she said she has an available one tomorrow which is 45 mins away so that's also another day off work (employer is understanding but we don't get sick pay). Fun times

It's perfectly ok to have emergency dental treatment with local anaesthetic eg extraction or pulp removal, at any trimester of pregnancy.
It's also completely justifiable to take a dental X-ray during any stage of pregnancy in the emergency situation i.e. severe pain/swelling.
Any other more routine treatment including radiographs, can wait until after delivery. Good luck OP. Try not to worry.