It is only natural for an expectant mother to worry about how medical treatments will impact her unborn child.
If you’ve been hoping to straighten your teeth for years, and it’s something you’d prefer to get out of the way before you have a baby to contend with, then you’re likely wondering if it’s safe to get braces while you’re pregnant.
Read on to find out all about getting braces while you’re pregnant.
What Are Braces?
First, let’s look into what braces are and what they’re fitted for. Braces are devices that are made up of wires and brackets that are attached to your teeth. They are adjusted over time in a way that will slowly move your teeth.
Benefits Of Straight Teeth?
It is a common belief that people only get braces to have a beautiful smile. This is one reason why people get braces.
However, braces also help to ensure healthy smiles and the proper functioning of your teeth. If your teeth are aligned, it is much easier to speak, bite and chew.
It is also easier to keep teeth clean when they are properly aligned which means that you won’t suffer from abnormal tooth decay. Orthodontic care can save you a lot of time and money in the long run.
Is It Safe To Get Braces When You’re Pregnant?
You can get braces when you are pregnant, and it is safe. There is no medical reason that orthodontic treatment during pregnancy would have any negative effect.
A dentist will first of all check whether it is safe for you to get braces depending on the health of your gums and teeth.
Some people are concerned that the need to have X-rays during your orthodontic treatment could negatively affect the health of a fetus.
Large levels of radiation can interfere with the development of a fetus. However, the amount of radiation needed in X-rays for orthodontic care is very low and so will not be harmful to your unborn baby.
If you are worried, you can always ask your orthodontist to place a lead shield over your lower body to ensure the radiation does not reach your baby.
Should You Get Braces When You’re Pregnant?
There are many pros and cons to getting braces while you are pregnant. Read on to find out the benefits and disadvantages and whether having braces during pregnancy is the best option.
Advantages
There are many benefits to getting your braces during pregnancy. These include:
- Practically, it would make sense to get your braces before your baby arrives so that you don’t have to worry about taking your baby with you to orthodontist appointments when the baby is born. However, you should remember that depending on what you want to be done, you may need more than nine months for your orthodontic treatment, so it may continue after you give birth.
- Due to pregnancy hormones, it is a good time to get braces as sometimes women’s teeth can loosen during pregnancy or be more prone to movement.
You should always let your dentist know if you are pregnant or hoping to get pregnant, as it is important for them to have all your medical information available.
Disadvantages
While getting braces during pregnancy can be a good idea, some things may put you off the idea. These include:
- The side effects of braces can be quite painful, and if you have pregnancy symptoms, aches and pains, it may be too much to have braces too.
- Braces make it more difficult to take proper care of your teeth and gums as they make it harder for you to floss and brush your teeth effectively. Pregnancy also increases your chances of developing gum disease. This can mean that you are more likely to get cavities. Gum disease can also put the health of your baby at risk. You can increase your chances of giving birth prematurely and giving birth to a baby with a low birth weight. This is preventable and treatable, but it can take much more effort.
- There are some foods that it is recommended that you don’t eat when you have braces. This might become problematic alongside the dietary restrictions placed on pregnant people. It might become difficult to have so many restrictions on your diet.
- It is important to consider the length of your orthodontic treatment. It may take longer than nine months to finish your treatment. You will be expected to visit the orthodontist during the orthodontic treatment very often.
How To Take Care Of Your Oral Health
If you have opted for getting braces during your pregnancy, you should consider how you will maintain your oral hygiene. In order to take care of your oral health, you should:
- Brush your teeth often. You should brush your teeth thoroughly twice a day, however, if you are experiencing morning sickness, then you should brush your teeth again after each episode. This is because vomiting could damage your braces.
- Ask your doctor about any painkillers. While you may feel like you need painkillers while having braces, you should always ask your doctor before taking any painkillers. This is to ensure that it is safe for both you and your child.
- Ensure you wear your retainer. It is very important to wear your retainer normally. However, when pregnant, your teeth are more likely to move. This means that you may need to wear your retainer for longer after your braces have been removed to ensure that your teeth stay in place.
Final Thoughts
It is safe to get braces while pregnant and it is down to individual choice as to whether it is right for you.
There are many advantages to having braces during pregnancy, as well as many disadvantages. You should consider all of these before you make your decision.
He has combined both of these skills to create his first company, Isopharm Limited, which became one of the top learning platforms within the dental industry.
With over 120,000 active users, he has been able to educate others in order to provide better dental care around the world.
With his expertise and work in the field, Andrew has been able to help many dental care professionals succeed in treating their patients.
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