Wisdom Teeth During Pregnancy: From Pre-Pregnancy Checks to Handling Pain

In Korea, wisdom tooth extraction during pregnancy is avoided when possible, and when truly necessary it is timed carefully and kept to a minimum. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA, 질병관리청) tooth extraction guidance explains that extraction is avoided in early pregnancy because of miscarriage risk and in late pregnancy because of preterm birth risk. If it cannot be avoided, it is done minimally between months 4 and 6 after consulting an obstetrician. For this reason, if you are planning a pregnancy, the best preparation is to have your wisdom teeth checked and discussed at a dental clinic beforehand.

Published 2026-11-08 · Updated 2026-11-08 · DentalStatics editorial team

Key facts

Extraction in early and late pregnancy	Avoided: miscarriage risk in early pregnancy, preterm birth risk in late pregnancy (source: KDCA National Health Information Portal)
Timing when unavoidable	Minimally, between months 4 and 6, after consulting an obstetrician (source: KDCA National Health Information Portal)
When planning a pregnancy	Having a dentist check for wisdom teeth and giving advice is recommended (source: KDCA National Health Information Portal)
Dental treatment during pregnancy	Mostly possible (source: KDCA National Health Information Portal)
Outpatient copayment rate for pregnant women	10% at clinics, 20% at hospitals (regular patients pay 30%, and 40% in dong-area hospitals) (source: National Health Insurance Service (NHIS, 국민건강보험공단))

Why should wisdom teeth be checked before pregnancy?

The KDCA advises that people planning a pregnancy visit a dentist to check for wisdom teeth and get advice. During pregnancy there are limits on taking medication, having X-rays and the timing of extraction, so if a wisdom tooth that has repeatedly become inflamed flares up, your options are narrower.

The KDCA also explains that hormonal changes such as pregnancy can affect gum inflammation independently of plaque. Spots that already inflame easily, such as a wisdom tooth partly covered by gum, can become more uncomfortable during pregnancy, so it is safer to sort them out at the planning stage.

Can a wisdom tooth be pulled during pregnancy?

Postpone it if possible. The KDCA extraction guidance explains that extraction is avoided because of miscarriage risk in early pregnancy and preterm birth risk in late pregnancy. If it is truly necessary, it is done minimally between months 4 and 6 after consulting an obstetrician.

The wisdom tooth guidance also says that during pregnancy, treatment can be done after consulting an obstetrician or physician. Pregnancy is counted as 42 weeks from the first day of the last period, divided into early, middle and late stages of 14 weeks each, so tell the dentist your exact week of pregnancy.

What should you do if a wisdom tooth hurts during pregnancy?

If a wisdom tooth hurts, inflammation has likely developed around it. The KDCA says not to take painkillers or anti-inflammatories on your own and to see a dentist, because choosing medication is harder during pregnancy and it is important not to pick drugs yourself.

The dentist first calms the inflammation with irrigation and disinfection, and if needed consults an obstetrician to decide on medication. The KDCA explains that the first trimester (early pregnancy) is when fetal organs begin to develop, so it is wise to limit drug use if possible.

Tell the dentist your week of pregnancy and what your obstetrician has said
Take only the painkillers and antibiotics that were prescribed to you
Seek care right away if your face swells, you have a fever or you have trouble swallowing

Are dental X-rays safe during pregnancy?

The KDCA prenatal care guidance explains that most dental treatment is possible during pregnancy. It says radiation is most sensitive at weeks 8 to 15, when fetal organs form, followed by weeks 16 to 25, and that all radiological exams performed today use less than the reference dose that could affect a fetus.

Even so, it is best to take only the wisdom tooth X-rays that are truly needed during pregnancy. If you tell the dentist about the pregnancy and the week beforehand, the dentist can judge together with you whether the X-ray is needed now or can wait until after delivery.

How much does dental care cost during pregnancy?

Pregnant women receive a lower copayment rate for outpatient health insurance care. According to the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS), the rate is 10% at dental clinics, 20% at dental hospitals, 30% at general hospitals and 40% at tertiary hospitals, which is lighter than the 30% that regular patients pay at a dental clinic.

Insured care such as wisdom tooth extraction is calculated at these rates. It helps to check with the NHIS or your card company in advance about which items and where you can pay using the pregnancy and childbirth medical expense support.

Common myths and facts

Myth: No dental treatment of any kind may be received during pregnancy.

The KDCA explains that most dental treatment is possible during pregnancy. Extraction, however, avoids early and late pregnancy and, when unavoidable, is done minimally between months 4 and 6.

Myth: Wisdom tooth pain during pregnancy can just be endured with painkillers.

Taking medication on your own can make things worse, and choosing drugs during pregnancy is difficult. It is safer to see a dentist and decide on medication after consulting an obstetrician.

Frequently asked questions

In which month of pregnancy can a wisdom tooth be pulled?

The KDCA extraction guidance explains that, when unavoidable, it is done minimally between months 4 and 6 after consulting an obstetrician. Extraction is avoided in early and late pregnancy.

Should I have my wisdom teeth pulled in advance if I am preparing for pregnancy?

Not every wisdom tooth needs to be pulled, but the KDCA recommends having a dentist check and advise on your wisdom teeth when you plan a pregnancy. If a tooth has repeatedly become inflamed or is lying sideways, discuss sorting it out before pregnancy.

Is dental anesthesia safe during pregnancy?

Whether to use local dental anesthesia and which drug to use is decided by the dentist, who looks at your week of pregnancy and condition and consults an obstetrician. Be sure to tell them about the pregnancy and the week before treatment.

Can I have a wisdom tooth pulled while breastfeeding?

For extraction and medication while breastfeeding, tell the dentist that you are nursing and get a prescription. It is best to check at the prescribing stage how the drug may affect breastfeeding.

My gums near the wisdom tooth are swollen and bleeding during pregnancy. Is it the wisdom tooth?

Hormonal changes in pregnancy can cause gum inflammation, and inflammation may also have developed around a partly erupted wisdom tooth. A dental exam can tell which it is, and care starts with irrigation and tooth brushing.

References

Korean version →