Dental Considerations during Pregnancy

Abstract Pregnancy is a unique moment in a woman’s life, accompanied by several physiologic changes that have an impact on oral health. Pregnancy results in physiologic changes in almost all organ systems in the body mediated mainly by hormones, which influences the treatment schedule. Understanding these normal changes is essential for providing quality care for pregnant women. The general principles that apply in this situation are discussed, followed by the relevant physiologic changes and their treatment implications, the risks of various medications to the mother and foetus, the management of concomitant medical problems in the pregnant patient, appropriate timing of oral and maxillofacial surgery during pregnancy and management of emergencies during pregnancy. Information about the compatibility, complications and excretion of the common drugs during pregnancy is provided. Guidelines for the management of a pregnant patient in the dental office are summarised.