What dental care in pregnancy is and who it suits
Dental care during pregnancy means examining and treating a pregnant woman while weighing her need for treatment against the safety of the pregnancy. It is not a separate kind of dentistry. It is ordinary care (check-ups, cleaning, fillings and treating infection or pain), adjusted for timing, chair position, X-rays and local anaesthesia.
Mainstream guidance from bodies such as the NHS and the ADA says routine dental care is safe during pregnancy and should not be skipped. Women in Jordan get free NHS dental care during pregnancy only in the UK, so that part does not apply here, but the clinical advice does.
A common way to divide care:
- Usually fine at any stage: examination, scaling and cleaning, and advice on home care.
- Done when needed, often best timed: fillings, root canal treatment and extraction of a painful or infected tooth. An untreated abscess usually carries more risk than treating it.
- Usually postponed until after delivery: elective cosmetic work such as whitening and veneers, and planned procedures such as implants, unless the dentist and your doctor decide otherwise.
The second trimester (roughly weeks 14 to 27) is generally considered the most comfortable time for non-urgent treatment. Nausea has often eased by then, and lying back is still easy. Urgent problems should be treated whenever they happen, in any trimester.
This care suits any pregnant woman who wants a check-up, has bleeding gums, sensitivity or toothache, or is planning a pregnancy and wants her teeth in order first. Whether a particular treatment suits you is decided only after examination.
Signs that call for an examination, and when it is urgent
Hormonal changes make the gums react more strongly to plaque. Pregnancy gingivitis is common. It shows up as red, swollen gums that bleed when you brush. Book a visit if you notice:
- gums that bleed on brushing or flossing, or feel tender
- a soft, red lump on the gum that bleeds easily. This may be a pregnancy granuloma, which is benign and often settles after delivery, but it should be checked
- new sensitivity or worn-looking teeth after frequent vomiting, because stomach acid erodes enamel
- toothache, a broken filling or a chipped tooth
- a bad taste or persistent bad breath
Seek urgent care the same day if you have a swelling of the face or jaw that is spreading, difficulty breathing or swallowing, a high fever with dental pain, or swelling that is closing an eye. In an emergency in Jordan, call 911. Tell your pregnancy doctor too, because infection and fever matter in pregnancy.
How the steps usually go, from examination to follow-up
The platform's general catalogue describes these stages. Each clinic applies its own protocol.
- Pregnancy assessment before any treatment. The dentist asks how many weeks pregnant you are, whether the pregnancy is considered high-risk, and about blood pressure, diabetes, medicines, supplements and allergies.
- Setting priorities and timing. Pain and infection come first. Gum treatment and fillings may be planned for the second trimester. Elective work is usually deferred.
- Preparing the appointment and position. In later pregnancy, lying flat on the back can lower blood pressure and cause dizziness. Dentists often tilt the chair or place a cushion so you lean slightly to your left side, and allow breaks. X-rays are taken only when they are needed for diagnosis. Dental X-rays use a very low dose aimed at the mouth.
- Treatment with adequate local anaesthesia. Common dental local anaesthetics are widely considered acceptable in pregnancy. Controlling pain properly is safer than enduring it. Any medicine afterwards should be agreed with the dentist and, where needed, your doctor.
- Home prevention and follow-up. You will get advice on brushing, cleaning between teeth and managing vomiting. A review is booked, often including a check after delivery.
Visits usually take 20 to 40 minutes. Longer treatment is often split into several short appointments.
What Arafat Dental Clinics publishes about this service in Tabarbour
The following comes only from the clinic and dentist records on ClinicsJo:
- Service listed: Pregnant Teeth Treatment, among about 120 published services. The main services highlighted are dental implants, orthodontic braces, veneers (Hollywood smile), teeth whitening and root canal treatment.
- Dentist: Dr. Mohammad Arafat Hasan. His record lists 15 years of experience and a Bachelor of Oral and Dental Medicine and Surgery from Damascus University. His biography says he graduated in 2010 and has practised dentistry in Jordan and Saudi Arabia.
- Courses listed in his record:
- an Advanced Implantology Course (ICOI, 2018)
- a Clear Aligners (Invisalign) Certification (Align Technology Academy, 2020)
- Microscope-Assisted Endodontics (Jordanian Academy of Dentistry, 2022)
- Services he provides that are relevant here: gum diseases, root canal and pulp care, fillings, dental X-rays, oral diseases, dental emergencies and prevention. Conditions he treats include gum disease and bleeding gums, tooth decay, toothache, dental abscess and tooth sensitivity.
- Languages: Arabic and English.
- Consultation: the record lists the first consultation as free. Beyond that, the cost depends on the examination and plan, so ask before starting.
- Verification and reviews: both the clinic and the dentist are marked as verified by the platform. The clinic has 2 approved reviews and the dentist has 3, each averaging 5. That is a small number of reviews, so treat it as limited information.
- Approach: the clinic states that treatment options are discussed according to examination findings and patient needs.
- Team: the clinic description also names Dr. Alaa Fayez Hasan. The clinic opened in 2022.
Questions to ask the dentist before starting
When choosing a dentist for pregnant women in Tabarbour, these questions help you judge any clinic:
- Which of my treatments are needed now, and which can wait until after delivery?
- Is this the right trimester for this treatment, or should we schedule it later?
- Do I need an X-ray? If so, why, and what precautions will you take?
- Which local anaesthetic will you use, and is any medicine needed afterwards? Should my doctor confirm it?
- How will you position me in the chair, and can I take breaks?
- How many visits will this take, and how long will each one be?
- What will the full plan cost, and what is included?
- Should I contact you or my pregnancy doctor if I get swelling or fever after treatment?
Bring a list of your medicines and supplements, and any notes from your pregnancy doctor.
Aftercare and realistic expectations
- Brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and clean between your teeth daily. Bleeding gums usually improve when plaque is removed, not when brushing is avoided.
- After vomiting, rinse with water (or a fluoride mouthwash). Many guidelines suggest waiting about an hour before brushing so softened enamel is not worn away.
- Limit sugary snacks and drinks, especially between meals, even when cravings or nausea make frequent eating likely.
- Take any medicine only as agreed with your dentist and doctor.
- Book a check-up after delivery. Gum changes often settle, but some problems need follow-up.
Studies have linked untreated gum disease with pregnancy complications such as preterm birth. Treating gum disease is still recommended for your own health, but it has not been shown to guarantee any pregnancy outcome. No dentist can promise a result, and the plan depends on your examination.
Booking, getting there and opening hours
Arafat Dental Clinics is in Tabarbour, Amman. The recorded address is Journalists Roundabout (دوار الصحفيين), Al Tamimi Complex, first floor.
Confirmed opening hours are Saturday to Thursday, 10:00–22:00. Friday is not listed in the confirmed hours. When you book, mention that you are pregnant and how many weeks along you are, so the visit can be planned around it. Use the contact button on this page to book.