CJ Henley, DMD, PA / San Marco, Jacksonville, Florida
Dental care during pregnancy in Jacksonville, FL.
Yes, you can see the dentist. You probably should.
Going to the dentist while pregnant is safe, and the major obstetric and dental groups both recommend it. At our San Marco office in Jacksonville, Dr. Henley sees you himself, explains what can be done now and what can wait until after the baby, and works with your obstetrician when a decision calls for it.
- Any stagedental X-rays are considered safe at any point in pregnancy when they’re needed2
- 20 weeksfrom here on, the FDA advises avoiding NSAIDs like ibuprofen unless your doctor says otherwise4
- 15 trialsof gum treatment in pregnancy reported no treatment harms, and no clear drop in preterm birth5
- 1 dentistDr. Henley sees every patient himself
Top-rated on Google: 4.9 stars from more than 225 patient reviews.
Is it safe to go to the dentist while pregnant?
Short answer: yes.
Routine dental care is safe during pregnancy. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says patients should be told that oral health care in pregnancy is both safe and important, and the American Dental Association says preventive, diagnostic, and restorative treatment is safe throughout pregnancy. Skipping care to be cautious often leaves a small problem to grow.
A lot of people put off the dentist once they find out they’re pregnant. Waiting feels like the careful choice. But the guidance has been clear for years.
In 2013 the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) published a committee opinion on oral health in pregnancy, since reaffirmed. It says obstetric providers should reassure patients that dental care during pregnancy is safe and shouldn’t be put off, and it notes that the treatment studies done in pregnant women didn’t raise safety concerns.1 The ADA’s guidance for dentists says the same thing from our side: preventive, diagnostic, and restorative care is safe at every stage of pregnancy, and emergency care shouldn’t be delayed.2
Why not just wait nine months?
Because teeth and gums don’t pause. A cavity that could be a small filling in your fourth month can be a toothache in your eighth, and an infected tooth is harder to manage while pregnant than a routine filling.
If you’re pregnant or might be, tell us when you call. It changes which medicines we’d suggest and how we time elective work. It doesn’t mean you can’t be seen.
Dental work while pregnant, by trimester
When to schedule what.
Cleanings and exams are fine in any trimester. For fillings and other nonurgent treatment, the second trimester is usually the most comfortable time: nausea has often eased and lying back is still easy. A toothache, swelling, or infection should be treated whenever it happens.
| Stage | What usually makes sense | Things to keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| First trimester (weeks 1–13) | Cleaning and exam. X-rays only if something needs to be checked. Urgent treatment for pain or infection. | Nausea and a strong gag reflex are common. Short visits and breaks help. Nonurgent fillings can often wait a few weeks. |
| Second trimester (weeks 14–27) | The usual window for fillings, gum treatment, and other needed care that isn’t an emergency. | Most people feel better now. A good time to finish anything found earlier. |
| Third trimester (week 28 on) | Cleanings and exams. Urgent treatment as needed. Shorter appointments. | Lying flat can make you dizzy or short of breath. We keep you more upright and tilted slightly to your left. Avoid ibuprofen and naproxen unless your doctor says otherwise.4 |
| After delivery | Cosmetic work, whitening, and elective treatment that was postponed. | If you’re breastfeeding, tell us so we can check any prescription first. |
Dental X-rays and numbing while pregnant
Cleanings, X-rays, numbing, and pain relief.
Cleanings are safe at any stage. Dental X-rays are considered safe in pregnancy when they’re actually needed, and the ADA no longer recommends routine lead aprons or thyroid collars. Local anesthetic such as lidocaine with epinephrine can be used. For pain afterward, acetaminophen is the usual choice, and ibuprofen is avoided from 20 weeks.
Cleanings and exams
A cleaning while pregnant is the same cleaning, maybe with a few more breaks. If your gums bleed more than usual, that’s a reason to keep the appointment. See dental cleanings and comprehensive dental exams for what a visit here involves.
Dental X-rays while pregnant
We take X-rays only when there’s a reason to, pregnant or not. With a toothache, swelling, or a cavity we need to measure, an X-ray is safer than guessing. The ADA states that radiographs are considered safe at any stage of pregnancy.2
You may notice that dental offices no longer automatically drape a lead apron over you. In 2024 an ADA expert panel concluded that abdominal and thyroid shielding during dental imaging is no longer recommended for any patient, including during pregnancy. A collar can block the area being imaged and force a retake.3 We follow any state rules that apply, and if an apron would make you more comfortable, just ask.
Numbing while pregnant
Local anesthetics with epinephrine, including lidocaine, may be used during pregnancy.2,6 Being properly numb is easier on you than sitting through a painful procedure. We use what the procedure needs and no more. More on what to expect is on our dental numbness page.
Pain medicine and antibiotics
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol). Listed as usable during pregnancy.6 Take the lowest dose that helps for the shortest time, and check with your obstetrician before you use it, especially for more than a day or two.
- Ibuprofen, naproxen, and other NSAIDs. The FDA advises avoiding them from 20 weeks of pregnancy on unless your doctor specifically recommends one, because they can affect the baby’s kidneys and lower amniotic fluid.4 Low-dose aspirin prescribed by your obstetrician is a separate case; don’t stop it on your own.
- Antibiotics. When an infection needs one, Dr. Henley chooses with your pregnancy in mind and checks with your obstetrician when it’s not straightforward.
The ADA says pain medicine decisions in pregnancy should be made with your obstetrician.2 We agree.
What to postpone
What can wait until after the baby.
Anything purely cosmetic or elective can usually wait: whitening, veneers, cosmetic bonding, and planned work on teeth that aren’t causing trouble. Nitrous oxide and sedation are generally avoided during pregnancy unless your obstetrician is involved in the decision. Infections and pain are not things to postpone.
Teeth whitening
There isn’t good safety research on bleaching gels in pregnancy, and there’s no health reason to whiten now. We suggest waiting until after delivery. Our teeth whitening page covers the options.
Veneers and cosmetic bonding
Cosmetic work takes several visits, and gums that are puffy from pregnancy hormones make it harder to get the gumline right. Plan now, do it after the baby. A chipped or broken tooth is different; we can repair that.
Nitrous oxide and sedation
We offer nitrous oxide and oral sedation to other patients, but sedation is generally avoided during pregnancy. The ADA recommends that pregnant patients avoid nitrous oxide exposure.2 If anxiety is a real barrier to needed care, tell us. Dr. Henley would talk with your obstetrician before considering anything beyond local anesthetic and a calm, unhurried visit.
Elective, nonurgent treatment
Replacing an old crown that isn’t failing or placing an implant for a long-missing tooth can usually wait. Growing cavities, cracked teeth, and active gum disease are better handled now, ideally in the second trimester.
Pregnancy gingivitis and “pregnancy tumors”
Why your gums act up, and what it means.
Pregnancy hormones make gums react more strongly to plaque, so swollen, bleeding gums are common. A red, fast-growing lump on the gum, sometimes called a pregnancy tumor, is a pyogenic granuloma: benign, and often smaller after delivery. Treating gum disease during pregnancy is safe, though studies haven’t shown it prevents preterm birth.
Pregnancy gingivitis
Gingivitis is more common in pregnancy. Hormone changes increase the gums’ response to the bacteria in plaque, so gums that were fine before may now bleed when you brush or floss.2 It can start early and often gets worse as pregnancy goes on.
- Keep brushing and flossing with a soft brush and fluoride toothpaste, even if your gums bleed. Bleeding is a sign of inflammation, not a reason to stop.
- Keep your cleaning appointment. Some people do better with an extra cleaning during pregnancy. We’ll tell you if your measurements suggest it.
More detail is on our gingivitis page.
The “pregnancy tumor” (pyogenic granuloma)
Despite the name, this is not cancer. A pyogenic granuloma, also called a pregnancy tumor or granuloma gravidarum, is a red, soft, often bleeding growth on the gums, usually between teeth.2 Many shrink after delivery. If one bleeds a lot, gets in the way of eating, or doesn’t go away, it can be removed. If there’s any doubt about what a growth is, a biopsy is the only way to know. Read more on our pyogenic granuloma page.
Gum disease, deep cleanings, and preterm birth
Some studies link gum disease with preterm birth, and you may have read that treating your gums will protect the baby. The strongest evidence doesn’t show that. A Cochrane review of 15 randomized trials with more than 7,000 pregnant women found no clear difference in preterm birth between women who had gum treatment during pregnancy and those who didn’t. Studies that reported on harms found none from the treatment.5
So we recommend treating periodontitis in pregnancy for the reason we’d treat it anytime: it’s an infection around your teeth that destroys bone and doesn’t heal on its own. Scaling and root planing is safe during pregnancy, typically in the second trimester. See gum disease for how we measure and treat it.
Comfort in the dental chair
Making the visit easier on you.
Later in pregnancy, lying flat on your back can press on a large vein and make you dizzy, nauseated, or short of breath. We keep you semi-reclined, tilt you slightly to your left with a small pillow under your right hip, and keep visits shorter. Tell us right away if you feel lightheaded.
Tell us how far along you are
Bring your due date, your medication list (including any low-dose aspirin), and your obstetrician’s name and number, so we can reach your doctor quickly if a question comes up.
Expect us to tilt you
From the second half of pregnancy on, we keep your head higher than your feet and tip you slightly onto your left side.6 If you feel dizzy, sweaty, or queasy, say so.
Take breaks
Ask to sit up, use the restroom, or stretch your legs whenever you need to. Pregnancy visits aren’t a race.
Gagging is normal
Pregnancy can make your gag reflex much stronger. Let us know. Breathing slowly through your nose, short pauses, and taking things one area at a time go a long way.
Morning sickness and your baby’s teeth
Protecting your enamel now, and your child’s teeth later.
Stomach acid softens enamel. After vomiting, rinse with water or a teaspoon of baking soda in a cup of water, and hold off on brushing for a while. Caring for your own teeth now also matters for your baby, since cavity-causing bacteria are usually passed from caregivers to young children.
Morning sickness and enamel
Repeated vomiting over weeks or months can wear enamel thin, especially on the tongue side of the upper front teeth. The instinct is to brush right away. Don’t. Scrubbing acid-softened enamel removes more of it.
- Rinse first. Swish with plain water, or with about one teaspoon of baking soda dissolved in a cup of water to neutralize the acid.2,6
- Wait to brush. Give your enamel some time, roughly half an hour, before brushing.
- Lean on fluoride. A fluoride toothpaste twice a day helps harden enamel. If you’re vomiting a lot, ask us whether a stronger fluoride product makes sense.
Passing cavity bacteria to your baby
Babies aren’t born with the bacteria that cause tooth decay. Most young children pick them up from their mothers and other caregivers, through things like sharing spoons or cleaning a pacifier in your mouth.1,6 Treating your own cavities and keeping your gums healthy lowers the number of those bacteria in your mouth, which may delay or reduce what gets passed along.
Your child’s first dental visit
Our office sees children from about age 2 to 3. If you’d like your child seen earlier, or a child needs extensive treatment or has special needs, we’ll refer you to a pediatric dentist. After that, we can see the whole family; see general and family dentistry.
Dental pain, swelling in your face or gums, or a fever with a toothache during pregnancy shouldn’t wait for your next cleaning. Call the office. Our emergency dental care page explains what to do after hours.
Frequently asked questions
Questions about dental care during pregnancy.
Is it safe to go to the dentist while pregnant?
Yes. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Dental Association both say routine dental care during pregnancy is safe and shouldn’t be delayed. Cleanings, exams, needed X-rays, fillings, and treatment for infection can all be done. Just tell us how far along you are.
When should I schedule dental work during pregnancy?
For nonurgent treatment like fillings or gum therapy, the second trimester, roughly weeks 14 through 27, is usually the most comfortable. Cleanings and exams are fine in any trimester. Pain, swelling, or infection should be treated whenever it comes up rather than waiting for a better week. See our emergency dental care page.
Can I get dental X-rays while pregnant?
Yes, when there’s a real reason for them. The ADA considers dental X-rays safe at any stage of pregnancy. Since 2024 it no longer recommends routine lead aprons or thyroid collars for any patient, because modern doses are very low and shields can block the image. We take X-rays only when they’ll change a decision.
Is numbing safe while pregnant?
Yes. Local anesthetics with epinephrine, such as lidocaine, can be used during pregnancy. We use only as much as the work requires. Our dental numbness page explains what to expect afterward.
What can I take for tooth pain while pregnant?
Acetaminophen is the pain reliever most often suggested in pregnancy, at the lowest dose that helps for the shortest time. The FDA advises avoiding ibuprofen, naproxen, and other NSAIDs from 20 weeks on unless your doctor recommends one. Check with your obstetrician, and call us too, since pain usually means something needs treatment.
Can I get nitrous oxide or sedation while pregnant?
Generally, no. The ADA recommends that pregnant patients avoid nitrous oxide, and sedative medicines are usually avoided as well. Most dental care in pregnancy is done comfortably with local anesthetic. If anxiety is keeping you from needed treatment, tell us; Dr. Henley would involve your obstetrician before considering anything more. See sedation dentistry.
What is a pregnancy tumor on the gums?
It’s a pyogenic granuloma, a benign red growth on the gum that bleeds easily and is driven partly by pregnancy hormones. It isn’t cancer, and many shrink after delivery. If it bleeds a lot or gets in the way, it can be removed. Learn more about pyogenic granuloma.
Will treating my gums prevent preterm birth?
The strongest evidence says probably not. A Cochrane review of 15 trials found no clear difference in preterm birth with gum treatment during pregnancy. It did find the treatment safe. We still recommend treating gum disease in pregnancy because it’s an infection that damages bone around your teeth. See gum disease.
Can I whiten my teeth while pregnant?
We recommend waiting. There isn’t good safety research on whitening gels during pregnancy, there’s no health benefit, and pregnancy often makes gums more sensitive. The same goes for veneers and other elective cosmetic work, which we can plan now and start after the baby arrives.
Where can I get dental care during pregnancy in Jacksonville?
Our office is at 3675 Hendricks Avenue in San Marco, Jacksonville. Dr. Henley sees every patient himself, explains what can be done now and what can wait, and coordinates with your obstetrician when needed. You’ll get the fee for each step in writing first. Call 904.398.1549 or request an appointment.
Your next step
Book a pregnancy dental visit in San Marco.
If you’re pregnant and it’s been a while, or your gums have started bleeding, or something just doesn’t feel right, come see us. Dr. Henley will look, explain what he finds, and sort out with you what’s worth doing now and what can wait. You’ll have the fee for each step in writing before anything starts. We’re an out-of-network office, and our team can help you understand how to use your dental benefits.
CJ Henley, DMD, PA3675 Hendricks Avenue
Jacksonville, FL 32207
Prefer a nonurgent text? 904.762.5616 is our practice on-call and text line. Please don’t send sensitive health information by text, and call for anything urgent.
Related pages
Sources
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Committee on Health Care for Underserved Women. Committee Opinion No. 569: oral health care during pregnancy and through the lifespan. Obstet Gynecol. 2013;122(2 Pt 1):417-422. Reaffirmed.
- American Dental Association. Oral Health Topics: Pregnancy. ADA Library & Archives. Accessed October 2026.
- Benavides E, Krecioch JR, Connolly RT, et al. Optimizing radiation safety in dentistry: clinical recommendations and regulatory considerations. J Am Dent Assoc. 2024;155(4):280-293.e4.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA recommends avoiding use of NSAIDs in pregnancy at 20 weeks or later because they can result in low amniotic fluid. Drug Safety Communication, October 15, 2020.
- Iheozor-Ejiofor Z, Middleton P, Esposito M, Glenny AM. Treating periodontal disease for preventing adverse birth outcomes in pregnant women. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;6(6):CD005297.
- Oral Health Care During Pregnancy Expert Workgroup. Oral Health Care During Pregnancy: A National Consensus Statement. Washington, DC: National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center, Georgetown University; revised edition.