I'm sure that my tooth is infected and I partially breastfeed my 2 month old. I'm afraid if I don't take care of it soon it will severely abscess; it is already painful enough that it is causing a headache. Is it safe to have Penicillin/Amoxicillin and Novocaine for the procedure where it won't affect the breast milk I feed her?
Ladies! Thank you all for the advice! They ended up giving me amox-clav; a derivative of Penicillin. So far, they think it is a sinus infection that is draining through my tooth. I will find out once the infection clears. Thank you all once again! What a great help!
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J.S.
answers from
Chicago
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if you can tell me exactly the medications you would be taking, I can look them up in my book about medicationsand mother's milk (I think it's by Hale). it tells you what medicines are safe or not and to what degree while bf'g. you can email me offlist or call/see my lactation consultant who can help you with some herbals (she has the book too). janet in naperville ###-###-#### (lactinv.com).
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V.G.
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Chicago
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Here is a website that lists safe medications for breastfeeding:
I have a ten month old that i breastfeed exclusively and i just got a cavity filled with no problem with about 12 novacaine shots. Sounds like you should take care of it soon before it gets worse.
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A.P.
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Chicago
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I had my son at GS in Barrington. they have a WONDERFUL lactation consultant there named Pam. When my son was 2 months old I got an awful infection in my eye of all places and was admitted to the hospital for 10 days. My Dr and pam went over the meds that were safe for me and my baby( I BF for the 1st year of his life). I pumped when I was in the hospital and was able to give him the milk with no problems!He is almost 5 and had no effects from the milk. So there is a way to get better and still BF!
Hope this helped,
A.
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B.N.
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Chicago
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A.- I to had a tooth problem while breast feeding . The amoxicillan/penicillian is fine, however the Novocaine is not. Double check with the peditrician.
Hope this helps!
B.
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A.V.
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Chicago
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I had a root canal when I was breastfeeding and it was OK. I've heard it may change the taste of your milk and so the baby might refuse it for that reason. I pumped a little extra just in case or have some formula on hand so you can give them something until it passes.
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V.K.
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Chicago
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Hi Am a mother of two. I was told by my Dr's that everything goes through the breast milk. So one thing you can do is start pumping so you have extra milk so when you do go to your dentist and he gives you your meds you can pump and dump! Until you are done with your medications. you would have to pump for at least 24 hrs to let the milk pass through.
Goog luck with your tooth
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T.S.
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Peoria
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Yes, it's safe! I let my teeth get really bad during pregnancy because I didn't ask my ob gyn if it was safe to see the dentist and my back tooth broke. So I've seen the dentist more than twice a week for the past two months and taken antibiotics and advil. My doctor, my pediatrician, and my denist all know that I'm breastfeeding my daughter and they all reccomneded dental work. If you're nervous, call your doctors, and make sure that the dentist knows your breastfeeding, especially when he writes any perscription. Heck, ask the pharmacist when you pick up the perscription, I did. LOL. But go to the dentist before your problems get worse like mine!
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S.A.
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Chicago
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Make an appointment to see the dentist and prior to the date of your appointment express enough milk into bottles to store until it is safe to return to normal feedings.
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M.G.
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Chicago
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It looks like you've already gotten quite a few answers saying "yes" it's okay...but here's one more!
I just had a very bad abscessed tooth and had to have a root canal and crown! They never gave me antibiotics for it...apparantly, antibiotics to treat are a thing of the past!? Old medicine...!? My dentist and the endodontist both said it's not neccesary. And I'm fine, everything went fine. I never missed a single feeding breastfeeding my son through the whole experience!
So absolutely, do not wait to get it treated! The pain I experienced with the same fears you had...I tried to wait it out.... it only gets worse! Don't wait! Let me know if you need a good endodontist... I drove to Schaumburg for mine, but he was excellent!! :) Hope you're feeling better soon!
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C.M.
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Chicago
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ABSOLUTELY YOU NEED TO CARE OF IT....... They gave me amoxicillian my 9th month of pregnancy. It is a SAFE antibiotic. Even thou you are nursing. PLS PLS PLS take care of that tooth NOW.......Good luck and let me know how you feel. Oh yeah, novicaine will NOT effect your nursing.....
C.
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S.M.
answers from
Chicago
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Ask your doctor... to be safe, I would "pump and dump".
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G.H.
answers from
Chicago
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Speak to your pedi. honey. They'll let you know right away. It may not be good to breast feed with the infection. Don't put this off, it's only a call.
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M.H.
answers from
Chicago
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i was on a penicillin-type antibiotic my doctor gave me for a breast infection that i got and it didn't affect me breast feeding. my doctor also told me that i could get my filling fixed and novocaine would be fine. hope this helps.
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J.C.
answers from
Chicago
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Go to your dentist! There is medication you can
receive that will help you! Don't let it go!
You don't have to stop breastfeeding!
No need for you and your baby to suffer with your sore tooth!
IF the dentist says you have to stop brestfeeding.
Get a new dentist or call yoru breastfeeding supportive doctor or friend or La LECHE League International.
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A.M.
answers from
Chicago
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As far as I know it is safe. I had two absess teeth while I was pregnant with my daughter and the medicine they give me was fine. Also, taking Codene or Vicodin won't do any harm to your baby either.
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P.D.
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Chicago
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A.:
all the meds you are mentioning are fine. if the dds has an issue working in your mouth while you are bf please have him/her call me.
P. Berg-Drazin, RLC, IBCLC
Breastfeeding and Parenting Solutions
800 LACTATE ( 800 522 8283) ###-###-####
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E.B.
answers from
Chicago
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Don't stop nursing her...you should be nursing full time so that she can establish your milk production. The sucking action at the breast and the sucking action on a bottle are very different. Breast milk is best for your beautiful baby.
All that being said, fully explain to your doctor that you want to continue nursing and ask what for the best solution.
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J.C.
answers from
Champaign
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please seek helps right away,infections can get very bad. Ask your doctor first of course. Online resource www.kellymom(s?).com has a very good list of medications that are okay for breast feeding mom
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J.C.
answers from
Chicago
on
You should definitely have that taken care of--most antibiotics are safe, and Novocaine doesn't travel through the body, but ask your dentist and pediatrician just to be safe. I'm sure your pediatrician is aware of what's safe and what's not for breastfeeding.
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S.V.
answers from
Chicago
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Yes it's safe. Just make sure that your doctor knows about the nursing because that may affect the type of antibiotic they give you. I had a number of dental procedures done during one of my pregnancies.
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J.F.
answers from
Chicago
on
Most likely Doctors will not allow you to have the Novocaine while breastfeeding; however, I would recommend that you take care of that tooth. Talk with your dentist for some other options.
My neglegence has created a gapping hole in my mouth and resulted in needed bridge work at the young age of 27. You only get one set of adult teeth. Don't loose any!
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C.S.
answers from
Chicago
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You may want to take a probiotic like acidopholus too. This is because the antibiotic kills the good bacteria. If you don't have enough good bacteria you could have trouble with yeast/thrush. I don't know how strong of an antibiotic they'll put you on, but I'd just play it safe. You can get probiotics in a health food store.
C.
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S.M.
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Chicago
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I took medicine when I breastfed both my boys. Just let the dentist/oral surgeon know and they will try to get you a low dose or one that is better to take when breast feeding. If you are that worried pump and save for a while and then go get what you need done!! Then pump while you are taking the meds and dump it out while using the stuff you saved prior to. You need to be healthy for your baby girl.
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A.J.
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Chicago
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I am a 4 time BF mom, currently nursing an 8 month old lil one. A few weeks ago I had my a tooth pulled using the Novocaine to numb and Amoxicillin prior to that for infection. I had checked with my OB and Ped and they gave me the go ahead.
I am sure you will be fine. But I would double check with your doctor and the baby's doctor just to be safe.
And you can certainly express before hand so baby has milk to drink until you get the Novocaine out of your system. And if you are up to it, pump after your procedure just to keep your milk flow up and then dump it if you are concerned about it.
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A.L.
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Chicago
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No it shouldn't affect the baby. I had a root canal done while I was nursing my baby and the doctor said it wouldn't hurt him and it didn't.
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C.S.
answers from
Chicago
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You need to get your tooth taken care of right away, it will only get worse. I had some work done while I was nursing and I spoke to both my OB and dentist to see what was safe for the baby. Call your OB and they will let you know what is safe to take while breastfeeding.
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M.L.
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Chicago
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Hi A. -
Glad things worked out. I just started a course of Amoxicillin for a sinus infection so it's good to hear (again) that these drugs are o.k. while breastfeeding.
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D.P.
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Chicago
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A.,
The risk of having infection in your system is of greater concern to you and your baby. It is safe for you and your baby for you to take amoxicillin. You should be evaluated as soon as possible to determine the best course of treatment.
My office is in Franklin Park. You can reach me at ###-###-#### or at ____@____.com my office is not close to where you live or work, I would be happy to help you locate a dental office in your area.
Sincerely,
Dr. D. R. Pietrini
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N.S.
answers from
Chicago
on
Boy have I been there, with 2 of my kids I had root canals while breastfeeding. They will definetly not give you something that would hurt you or baby.I had tylenol 3 and amoxacilin. Also I had a foot surgury while breastfeeding and I got anestetic. So I do think you'll be okay.