Receiving routine dental care, including getting a cavity filled, is generally compatible with nursing and should not be postponed. This process involves local anesthetics, pain medication, and dental materials, all of which have been studied for their transfer into breast milk. By communicating with your dental provider about your breastfeeding status, you can ensure the procedure uses materials and medications that minimize any potential risk to your child.
Compatibility of Local Anesthetics
Standard local anesthetics, such as lidocaine and mepivacaine, are highly compatible with breastfeeding and are necessary for comfort during the filling procedure. These medications are administered locally, resulting in a low total dose entering the mother’s systemic circulation. Their pharmacological properties, including high protein binding, further restrict the amount of the drug that transfers into the milk supply. Scientific studies confirm that the amount of anesthetic detected in breast milk after a typical dental injection is negligible and is not expected to cause adverse effects in a nursing infant. Therefore, there is no need to interrupt your regular feeding schedule or engage in “pumping and dumping” after receiving local anesthesia for a routine filling.
Managing Pain After the Filling
You might experience sensitivity or discomfort after the anesthetic wears off, though a simple filling may not require ongoing pain relief. Non-opioid, over-the-counter medications are the preferred first-line treatment for managing post-procedure pain while nursing. Both acetaminophen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen are considered safe options. Acetaminophen enters breast milk in very low concentrations, and ibuprofen is widely recommended because it is rapidly cleared from the mother’s system, resulting in minimal infant exposure. For superior pain control, health professionals often recommend alternating doses of ibuprofen and acetaminophen.
Stronger Pain Management
In the rare event that stronger pain medication is necessary, such as after a more complex procedure, discuss options with your dentist and a lactation specialist. Stronger pain relievers, including certain opioids, carry a higher risk of sedation or other effects in the infant. However, these medications are unnecessary for a standard cavity filling.
Concerns Regarding Filling Materials
The materials used to fill the cavity, primarily composite resin and silver amalgam, are important considerations for nursing individuals. Composite resin, often called “white fillings,” is a tooth-colored mixture that poses no known risk to the nursing infant. This material is inert once placed and does not release substances into the mother’s system that would affect breast milk.
Silver Amalgam Considerations
Silver amalgam fillings contain elemental mercury, which releases trace amounts of vapor over time. The scientific consensus is that mercury exposure to the infant through breast milk from existing amalgam fillings is extremely low. Removing stable, existing amalgam fillings while nursing is discouraged, as the drilling process can temporarily increase vapor release. When a new filling is needed, most dentists prefer to use composite resin for nursing mothers.