Anchorage Dentist Publishes Article On Whether Dental X-Rays Are Safe During Pregnancy

Healthy Smiles Dental, a dental office in Anchorage, Alaska, has announced that they have recently published an article on their blog page regarding the question of whether dental x-rays are safe during pregnancy. In other words, the issue is whether pregnant women should agree to have a dental x-ray. The article explains that x-rays indeed can affect the body of an expectant mother and also the developing fetus but only when the x-ray is directed at the reproductive region of the body. Thus, the decision to undergo a dental x-ray when pregnant is primarily based on whether it is absolutely necessary.

“While some dental procedures such as root canals and wisdom teeth removal can be necessary emergencies, any procedure that can wait until after the birth may be the best option,” explains Dr. Terry J. Preece, the dentist at Healthy Smiles Dental.

He continues, “There could assuredly be some situations where a dental procedure could benefit the developing child, such as a tooth removal with a significant infection that could impact development through the blood stream. Infection of any type is never good for an expectant mother, but this is a decision that can be made with the professional input of both your doctor and your dentist in Anchorage. Be diligent in making decisions that could be postponed.”

The Anchorage dentist will usually suggest that routine dental health measures will have more positive impact than negative during pregnancy. One example is teeth cleaning. If routine cleanings are not performed, this can result into a problem that may have an impact on the fetus later during the pregnancy, which in turn could result in other medical problems for the child.

Meanwhile, it should also be noted that the stage of pregnancy may also need to be considered when making the decision. For instance, if the dental procedure requires laying flat throughout the process, this could be difficult during the final trimester of pregnancy.

The article also points out that pregnancy may also affect dental health. For example, expectant mothers may tend to consume more carbohydrates during pregnancy, which can be more prone to lodging between the teeth. Good dental hygiene will likely be more of a health concern for the developing fetus during pregnancy than the effect of dental x-rays. Dr. Preece advises pregnant women to maintain dental health because even common problems like gingivitis can easily develop during a full pregnancy cycle.

Dr. Preece offers a wide range of dentistry, including cosmetic dentistry, teeth whitening, and sedation dentistry. The dental clinic offers comprehensive dentistry so that patients can have all of their procedures done in-house so that they can avoid running all over town just to get the necessary dental procedures. Dr. Preece also cooperates with a network of competent specialists so that patients can receive the best possible dental care.

The dental clinic also offers comprehensive cosmetic dentistry services. These include smile design, dental implants, porcelain crowns and bridges, teeth whitening, tooth-colored fillings, direct bonding, porcelain and composite resin veneers, gum contouring, premium aesthetic dentures, closing of spaces and gaps, and restoration of chipped teeth.

Dr. Preece also offers sedation dentistry for patients who are nervous or very afraid of dental visits. He offers three types of sedation: nitrous oxide or laughing gas, which is the most common form of sedation; oral conscious sedation; and IV sedation or parenteral sedation, which offers profound sedation with the patient being asleep during the procedure.

Dr. Preece obtained his dentistry degree from the University of Washington School of Dentistry in 1980. When he returned to Anchorage with his family on August 2010, he founded the Healthy Smiles Dental clinic. He has more than 35 years of experience in providing full-care, comprehensive dentistry. He is also an active member of the American Dental Association, American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, Alaska Dental Society, and Anchorage Dental Society.

Those who would like to inquire about the dental services provided at Healthy Smiles Dental can check out the clinic's website at https://www.anchoragehealthysmiles.com/ or they can contact them by phone or through email.