Breastfeeding and dental treatment: what to check before your visit

By the Austral Smiles team.

Yes, you can see a dentist while breastfeeding. The Australian Dental Association says local anaesthetic injections are safe to have during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and that dental treatment should not be avoided for this reason. At Austral Smiles, you'll receive a clearly itemised treatment plan before starting the procedure, so you can check each part first.

You're feeding a baby around the clock, and now a tooth is sore or a check-up is overdue. It's easy to wonder whether an appointment means changing your feeding plan, expressing extra milk or putting treatment off until you've weaned.

For most visits, the starting point is simpler than that. The useful questions are about the exact treatment and any medicines involved, not about dental care in general. This guide sets out what Australian health bodies say, what's worth checking before you book, and what happens when you come in to see us.

Yes. Breastfeeding isn't a reason to put off a check-up or treatment you need, and the ADA's pregnancy guidance covers breastfeeding parents as well. Its advice on numbing injections is the part most people ask about, and it's covered in the next section.

Waiting rarely helps. Our emergency dentist page notes that tooth pain, swelling or bleeding rarely improve without attention, and that swelling in the jaw, cheek or around a tooth can signal infection. If you notice swelling, a throbbing ache that keeps you awake, or a broken tooth, call us and mention you're breastfeeding. Austral Smiles offers same-day appointments for urgent needs where possible, so ask when you call.

For routine care, the ADA lists being pregnant or breastfeeding among the things to include in your medical history. Telling the team early means the dentist can plan around you rather than you trying to guess what applies.

No. The numbing injection dentists use for fillings, extractions and root canal treatment is a local anaesthetic. It works on a small area of your mouth, and the ADA's guidance above covers it directly.

The Australian Breastfeeding Association says there's no need to stop breastfeeding or throw away expressed milk after a local anaesthetic. It also notes that local anaesthetics are commonly used during and after childbirth.

At Austral Smiles, our root canal treatment page explains that the area is numbed before the procedure begins, using a local anaesthetic. You may still feel slight pressure or movement. If you're anxious about the injection itself, say so when you book. That's a normal concern. We take time to listen to your concerns and explain each step clearly.

A couple of practical points help on the day:

• Feeding or expressing just before your appointment can make a longer visit easier, because you're not watching the clock.
• If someone is minding your baby nearby, let the front desk know so they understand if you need a short break.

Usually, you can carry on feeding as normal. The Australian Breastfeeding Association says that if you need an X-ray, you can usually keep breastfeeding as normal, and these tests don't affect your breastmilk or your baby.

At your first visit, our new patient information explains that diagnostic imaging, such as X-rays or 3D scans, may be used to assist with diagnosis. You can ask why an image is needed, and our team will explain the findings and answer your questions clearly.

It helps to separate the parts of a dental visit, because the published advice is different for each one.

• Numbing injection (local anaesthetic): the ADA says these injections are safe to have during breastfeeding, and the Australian Breastfeeding Association says there's no need to stop feeding or discard expressed milk afterwards.
• Dental X-rays: the Australian Breastfeeding Association says you can usually keep breastfeeding as normal after an X-ray.
• Pain relief afterwards: Pregnancy, Birth and Baby lists paracetamol and ibuprofen at the recommended dose as safe while breastfeeding, and says codeine should not be used.
• Antibiotics: Pregnancy, Birth and Baby says most antibiotics are safe, but to follow your doctor's advice.
• Sedation or general anaesthetic: the Australian Breastfeeding Association advises a personal plan with your treating team, especially if your baby is premature or sick.
• Teeth whitening: the ADA does not recommend whitening while you're breastfeeding.

If two people have given you different answers, ask which part of the visit each answer was about. Advice about a numbing injection doesn't automatically apply to a sedative, and the reverse is true too.

This is where it's worth slowing down and checking each medicine by name. The Pregnancy, Birth and Baby service says many medicines are safe to take while breastfeeding, and that only a very small amount of these medicines passes into your breast milk.

It also gives specific guidance that's relevant after dental treatment:

• Paracetamol and ibuprofen are safe to take at the recommended dose while breastfeeding.
• Most antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections are safe, but always follow your doctor's advice.
• Codeine should not be used while breastfeeding.
• For most medicines, there is no need to express and throw away your milk.

Pregnancy, Birth and Baby also suggests feeding your baby just before you take a dose, if you are prescribed medicine. And it lists signs to watch for in your baby: being more sleepy or irritable than usual, feeding problems, diarrhoea, vomiting or allergic reactions. If your baby is under 2 months of age, they may have a higher chance of side effects from your medicines, so watch them carefully.

Always check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking a new medicine, including over-the-counter products. If the dentist suggests a medicine, ask them to write down its name and dose so you can check it.

A local anaesthetic and a sedative or general anaesthetic are different things, so the advice for one doesn't automatically carry over to the other. If anything beyond a numbing injection is proposed, ask for a separate plan.

The Australian Breastfeeding Association suggests letting your healthcare team know you're breastfeeding so they can choose medications that are safe for you. If your doctor isn't sure, it suggests asking them to check with medicine information experts.

It also says that if your baby is premature or sick, or you're taking strong pain medications, you may need extra care, and you should discuss your personal plan with your doctors. After an anaesthetic you may feel drowsy or nauseous, and you might need support to hold and breastfeed your baby safely. If you'll be separated from your baby for one or more feeds, you could express and store some milk ahead of time.

Those details depend on the procedure, so don't rely on a general article for fasting times or doses. Ask the treating team for written instructions.

This is the one treatment the ADA says to hold off on. Its guidance is that teeth whitening treatment is not recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. The ADA explains there isn't any evidence that whitening is dangerous for pregnant women, but there also isn't any evidence that it's safe, so it is best to avoid it.

If you're thinking about a whitening toothpaste while breastfeeding, the ADA suggests getting advice from your doctor or dentist first.

You don't have to work this out alone. In NSW, MotherSafe is a telephone service for women of NSW, based at the Royal Hospital for Women, Randwick. It provides counselling for women and their healthcare providers concerned about exposures during pregnancy and breastfeeding, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications and radiation.

Useful numbers from these services:

• MotherSafe: 9382 6539 or 1800 647 848.
• Australian Breastfeeding Association Breastfeeding Helpline: 1800 686 268.
• healthdirect helpline: 1800 022 222. A registered nurse is available to speak with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Poisons Information Centre: 13 11 26.

If a pharmacist or MotherSafe gives you advice about a medicine, bring a note of it to your appointment so the dentist can see what was checked.

The ADA recommends telling your dentist about all current and previous medications, and any vitamins, minerals, supplements, or medications bought without a doctor's prescription. If your medical history is complicated, it may be helpful to bring a copy of your medical history or medications from your doctor.

Before you come in, check you have:

• Told the team you're breastfeeding when you book, and how old your baby is.
• A list of every medicine you take, including supplements and anything bought without a prescription.
• Any advice you've already had from your GP, pharmacist or MotherSafe, written down.
• Your Medicare card (if using CDBS) or private health fund card.
• A plan for your baby during the appointment, and who can help if you feel drowsy afterwards.
• Your questions written down, so nothing gets lost when you're tired.

Questions worth asking the dentist:

1. "Is a local anaesthetic the only medicine planned for this visit?"
2. "If I need pain relief afterwards, which medicine and dose do you suggest, and should I check it with my pharmacist?"
3. "Will I need an X-ray, and why?"
4. "If sedation or a referral is suggested, who gives me feeding and recovery instructions?"
5. "What does the itemised plan include, and what are the estimated costs?"

Your first visit starts with listening and an assessment. You don't need to have decided on any treatment beforehand. Our new patient information sets out the steps:

1. Please arrive 10 minutes early. Our front desk team will assist with any forms or questions. Let our team know in advance if you have any accessibility needs or specific concerns.
2. Your appointment begins with a thorough check-up of your teeth, gums, and overall oral health. You'll have the opportunity to raise any concerns, and our team will explain the findings.
3. Your dentist will discuss their findings and explain your options. You'll receive a clearly itemised treatment plan so you know what to expect before starting the procedure.

If cost is on your mind, our payment options page explains that we can discuss general pricing over the phone, and a detailed quote, with item numbers and estimated costs, is only available after your consultation.

When you call, you can simply say: "I'm breastfeeding and I'd like a check-up. Is there anything I should bring or tell the dentist beforehand?"

Call (02) 9053 1997 or use our booking page. You'll find Austral Smiles at Level 1, Suite 2, 101 Browns Rd, Austral NSW 2179. We're open Monday 9 am to 5 pm, Tuesday 11 am to 7 pm, Wednesday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm and Saturday 8 am to 4 pm. You can also meet our team before your visit.

This is general information. Your dentist needs to assess your mouth and explain the relevant options and risks before you decide on treatment.

Checked 1 November 2026. This article summarises general published guidance; it isn't personal medical or dental advice.

• Australian Dental Association, Pregnancy (local anaesthetic injections, teeth whitening).
• Australian Dental Association, Teeth whitening.
• Australian Dental Association, Why do I have to tell my medical history to my dentist?
• Pregnancy, Birth and Baby, Medicines and breastfeeding, last reviewed August 2025.
• Australian Breastfeeding Association, Breastfeeding and anaesthesia, December 2025.
• Australian Breastfeeding Association, X-rays, scans and breastfeeding, May 2026.
• South Eastern Sydney Local Health District (NSW Health), MotherSafe.
• Austral Smiles: new patient information, root canal treatment, emergency dentist, payment options.

Photos in this article are AI-generated illustrations, not photos of Austral Smiles, its staff or patients.