Pregnancy-safe dental care for
Pregnancy isn’t a reason to skip your dentist — it’s a reason to prioritize them. Pregnancy gingivitis affects up to 75% of expecting moms. We provide safe, comfortable dental care during all trimesters.
⭐ 500+ five-star reviews · MAGD Master of the Academy of General Dentistry · Diamond+ Invisalign Provider
Hormonal changes affect oral health
Hormonal changes during pregnancy increase blood flow to gum tissue, making it more reactive to plaque. The result: pregnancy gingivitis — bleeding, swollen gums — affects up to 75% of expectant mothers.
Untreated gum disease has been linked to preterm birth and low birth weight, so dental care during pregnancy isn’t optional.

First and third have specific considerations
Most non-emergency dental work is best scheduled in the second trimester (weeks 14–28) when nausea is typically resolved and you can comfortably recline. Routine cleanings are safe in any trimester.

I avoided the dentist for almost eight years. Dr. Pedersen and her team made me feel completely safe — no judgment, no lecture, just a real plan I could afford. Two years in and I never miss a cleaning.— Sarah M.
Complete care under one roof
Every service in the same office, with the same team that already knows your story.
Pregnancy-safe cleanings
Routine cleanings safe in any trimester.
Anxiety-friendly options
Local anesthesia is safe; nitrous oxide is avoided during pregnancy.
Emergency care
Untreated infection is far more dangerous than appropriate emergency treatment.
Postpartum care
Schedule your first post-baby checkup to address any pregnancy-related issues.
OB-GYN coordination
We coordinate with your OB-GYN team for complex treatment decisions.
Lactation-safe medications
All prescribed medications considered for breastfeeding compatibility.
Pregnancy-safe cleanings
Routine cleanings safe in any trimester.
Anxiety-friendly options
Local anesthesia is safe; nitrous oxide is avoided during pregnancy.
Emergency care
Untreated infection is far more dangerous than appropriate emergency treatment.
Postpartum care
Schedule your first post-baby checkup to address any pregnancy-related issues.
OB-GYN coordination
We coordinate with your OB-GYN team for complex treatment decisions.
Lactation-safe medications
All prescribed medications considered for breastfeeding compatibility.
Modern radiation doses are extremely low
Digital dental X-rays produce extremely low radiation — and we use lead aprons and thyroid collars for additional shielding. The ADA and ACOG both confirm that necessary dental X-rays are safe during pregnancy.
For non-urgent work, we’ll defer X-rays if you prefer. For emergencies, the X-ray is far safer than untreated infection.
![]()
What our patients actually say
Hundreds of 5-star reviews from real Overland Park, Johnson County, and Cass County families.
“I avoided the dentist for almost eight years. Dr. Pedersen and her team made me feel completely safe — no judgment, no lecture, just a real plan I could afford. Two years in and I never miss a cleaning.”
“We have four kids ranging from 6 to 17. Having one dental office that handles all of them — including my teenager’s Invisalign — has saved us so many hours of driving.”
“I’d been searching for a ‘natural dentist’ in Overland Park for two years. Finally found one that doesn’t make me feel weird for asking about my fillings.”
“Walked in convinced I needed a root canal. They diagnosed a cracked filling and fixed it the same day for a fraction of what I’d been quoted. Honest, fast, painless.”
“I avoided the dentist for almost eight years. Dr. Pedersen and her team made me feel completely safe — no judgment, no lecture, just a real plan I could afford. Two years in and I never miss a cleaning.”
“We have four kids ranging from 6 to 17. Having one dental office that handles all of them — including my teenager’s Invisalign — has saved us so many hours of driving.”
“I’d been searching for a ‘natural dentist’ in Overland Park for two years. Finally found one that doesn’t make me feel weird for asking about my fillings.”
“Walked in convinced I needed a root canal. They diagnosed a cracked filling and fixed it the same day for a fraction of what I’d been quoted. Honest, fast, painless.”
“Cracked a molar on a Tuesday morning. Called at 8am, was in the chair by 11 with a same-day temporary crown. They saved my workweek.”
“I’d been hiding my smile for a decade. Now I forget I have implants until someone compliments my teeth.”
“Quoted four veneers somewhere else. Dr. Pedersen showed me a digital preview and we ended up doing bonding on two teeth and whitening — same result, a fraction of the cost.”
“The Smile Club paid for itself in the first six months. As a freelancer with no insurance, this is the only reason I actually get my teeth cleaned twice a year now.”
“Cracked a molar on a Tuesday morning. Called at 8am, was in the chair by 11 with a same-day temporary crown. They saved my workweek.”
“I’d been hiding my smile for a decade. Now I forget I have implants until someone compliments my teeth.”
“Quoted four veneers somewhere else. Dr. Pedersen showed me a digital preview and we ended up doing bonding on two teeth and whitening — same result, a fraction of the cost.”
“The Smile Club paid for itself in the first six months. As a freelancer with no insurance, this is the only reason I actually get my teeth cleaned twice a year now.”
“Dr. Pedersen finished my Invisalign in eleven months. My old dentist (Bronze tier) had quoted twenty. Experience really does matter.”
“Having a Diamond+ Invisalign Provider this close to home meant my daughter didn’t have to miss school for every check-in. They explained everything to her like she was the patient, not me.”
“My six-year-old now asks when we get to go back to the dentist. That has never happened in any office before. The team is something else.”
“My implant looks better than the tooth it replaced. Every step explained, every cost in writing up front, zero surprises on the bill.”
“Dr. Pedersen finished my Invisalign in eleven months. My old dentist (Bronze tier) had quoted twenty. Experience really does matter.”
“Having a Diamond+ Invisalign Provider this close to home meant my daughter didn’t have to miss school for every check-in. They explained everything to her like she was the patient, not me.”
“My six-year-old now asks when we get to go back to the dentist. That has never happened in any office before. The team is something else.”
“My implant looks better than the tooth it replaced. Every step explained, every cost in writing up front, zero surprises on the bill.”
Visit us in Overland Park or Peculiar
Records and treatment plans travel with you between offices — so a move across the metro never means starting over with a new dentist.

Overland Park, KS
Overland Park, KS 66210

Peculiar, MO
Peculiar, MO 64078
Who we see
Expectant and new moms across Overland Park and Johnson County come to Love To Smile for pregnancy-aware dental care.

Most major PPO insurance accepted
We verify benefits before your appointment and file claims for you. No insurance? Ask about the Smile Club.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to go to the dentist while pregnant?
Yes — and untreated dental issues during pregnancy carry real risks. The ADA and ACOG both recommend regular dental care during pregnancy.
When during pregnancy should I schedule dental work?
Second trimester (weeks 14–28) is optimal for non-emergency work. Routine cleanings are safe in any trimester. Emergencies are treated whenever they occur.
Are dental X-rays safe during pregnancy?
Yes — modern digital X-rays produce extremely low radiation and we use lead aprons and thyroid collars. The ADA confirms necessary X-rays are safe at any stage of pregnancy.
Can I have novocaine during pregnancy?
Yes — local anesthetics (lidocaine, articaine) are considered safe during pregnancy. We avoid nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and certain prescription pain medications.
What’s pregnancy gingivitis?
Hormonal changes during pregnancy make gum tissue more reactive to plaque, causing redness, swelling, and bleeding. Affects up to 75% of expectant mothers. Professional cleanings and good home care prevent it from progressing to gum disease.
Should I get a dental checkup after the baby is born?
Yes — schedule your postpartum visit 6–8 weeks after delivery to address any pregnancy-related issues that emerged.
Can pregnancy affect my baby’s teeth?
Yes — your nutrition and oral health during pregnancy can affect your baby’s developing teeth. We provide guidance on prenatal nutrition relevant to oral health.
Book a pregnancy-aware dental visit.
We’ll coordinate with your OB-GYN team and schedule routine or emergency care safely at any trimester.