Needing advice from a dentist please!

[Marriageoftrueminds]

I am looking for some advice as I am pregnant and worrying. I did post in general health but trying my luck here too as no responses.

I have an amalgam filling (root canal) and on Sunday a small piece of it crumbled off into my mouth. The filling is loose anyway but when I last saw my dentist she understandably did not want to remove it until I have had the baby.

So I have not managed to get an appointment before Thursday to have this crumbling filling looked at, despite offering to pay privately - none of the local dentist surgeries can see me any earlier. My specific worry is that mercury from the broken filling will cause the baby harm. I am scaring myself reading horror stories online and I don’t know any dentists IRL that I can ask informally how likely this is. Can anyone shed any light on what the risk is to the baby?

Many thanks in advice!

I’m not a dentist but I had an amalgam filling of mine chipped last week. Private dentist said that he couldn’t do anything for me until baby is here as it is the official guidelines that amalgam is not to be used on under 16s or pregnant women (He said that the dental profession is trying to cut back on amalgam use altogether so eventually nobody will get those kind of fillings). Also mentioned that any harm that could be done is from when the amalgam is either in powder form - like it would be when getting it removed - or when it is in the more liquidy state it is when they put it in.

Didn’t seem concerned about my chipped filling and has given quotes for crowns etc after baby has arrived as even though he can’t do anything to it now, as it is an open tooth any decay is likely to be harder to remove at a later date.

Thank you @thegirlwhohasnoname. My filling did crumble so it was wire powdery but it was only a tiny bit and I managed to spit most of it out I think. Thanks for your response and good luck with the rest of your pregnancy!

Urgh sounds stressful!

Can you give your dentist a call and explain the situation to the receptionist and ask to speak briefly to the dentist themself for some reassurance?

@dinosaurkisses the dentist wasn’t available to talk but the receptionist said ‘I’m sure it’ll be fine, don’t worry’ so now I don’t want to phone again and ask the same question. I realise I’m being silly. I’m finding it hard to be rational where the baby is concerned, I lost my first pregnancy and I’m struggling to focus on the likely positive outcome this time round! Thanks for your advice.

I guess no dentists hang out on mn thanks to everyone who tried to help. When I see the dentist I will update this thread because maybe it will help someone else experiencing the same panic in future!

Hi! Not a dentist but i had 2 teeth crumble during early pregnancy. They both had amalgam fillings. My dentist said removing the filling could have a small risk of inhaling fumes. So she just places a temporary filling on top to protect the remaining tooth and filling for now, with a plan to crown them after the pregnancy. According to her, swallowing small amount of amalgam isn’t dangerous. Hope that reassures you! I was also very panicked- 1st pregnancy after mmc, so i know how you feel! Good luck.

Hiya, I'm a dental nurse. There's absolutely no risk to you or the baby from a broken filling. Honestly don't worry for even a second! Hope you get it sorted and patched up soon.

@defafplease and @justfred thank you so much for your input, you have really helped set my mind at rest!

Sorry that should be @decafplease