Don’t Put off Dental Care While Breastfeeding

Updated December 16, 2025.

If you're currently breastfeeding and postponing your dental work because you're fearful of affecting their breastmilk, we have some good news. All dental material used during procedures at Family Dentistry, Inc, is safe for breastfeeding mothers and will not affect your breast milk. You can you can definitely have procedures like laser dentistry, nitrous oxide, and local anesthesia during treatments without negatively impacting your breastmilk or child.

For example, when it comes to using local anesthetics, rest assured that it doesn’t affect breast milk. Even the anesthetic bupivacaine, which remains in the system longer than carbocaine or lidocaine, is safe to use because it’s milk levels are still “zero”. This is according to Dr. Thomas Hale, who researched and wrote the book, Medications & Mother’s Milk.

What about valium? Valium can be taken as an oral sedation and you can still breastfeed your child. This is because the levels of anesthetic in your breastmilk after taking one dose is still considered minimal. Rest assured that most medications used in dental work for oral and IV sedation are compatible with breastfeeding an infant.

What about laughing gas? Yes, even laughing gas, or nitrous oxide sedation is safe. This is because it is mostly insoluble when in your bloodstream. Because the nitrous oxide travels from your brain to your lungs and then back into the room air after you stop breathing it in, your milk is safe. The gas is gone within 3-5 minutes after you stop breathing it in so it likely isn’t transmitted into your milk.

You can even have X-rays done safely without negatively affecting your breastmilk. We encourage you to stay on top of your dental care while breastfeeding your child. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to speak with our dentists, Dr. Sarah Haas, Dr. Robert Hass, and Dr. Nathan Helfferich. Our Family Dentistry, Inc. team in Lebanon, Ohio, can be reached at 513-932-6991. We care about you and your child!