Can you start or continue braces or Invisalign while being pregnant? The short answer is, "Yes!", but let's review some helpful info for expectant mothers who are either considering or going through orthodontic treatment.
A common question from younger female patients considering orthodontic treatment is, "Can I start or continue braces or Invisalign treatment if I'm pregnant?" Yes, orthodontic treatment is considered safe while you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, and when nursing. But there's more to know about your pregnancy, your oral health, and potential treatments. Here are a few takeaways:
Routine dental and orthodontic evaluation and treatments are considered safe during pregnancy
You should feel comfortable scheduling and undergoing orthodontic and dental treatment while pregnant or trying to become pregnant.
Considerations:
Altering the way treatment is delivered may be recommended to keep the mother's posture safe and comfortable.
This may mean to keep patients "half-reclined" at 45 degrees instead of fully reclined, especially during the third trimester. This is very doable for most orthodontic appointments.
Dental treatments requiring local anesthetics are permitted during pregnancy because of the low dosage levels of epinephrine used in dental anesthetics. Luckily, routine orthodontic treatment does not require any administration of anesthetics!
Dental radiographs (x-rays) are considered safe during all stages of pregnancy
This is true of all types of dental x-rays, not just those used for orthodontic evaluation and treatment. The reason for this is that dental x-ray machines require much lower radiation dosages to obtain diagnostic images of the areas of interest than do medical x-ray machines.
Considerations:
For comparison, a panoramic dental x-ray uses about 40 times less radiation than a mammogram, and nearly 200 times less radiation than a medical head CT scan.
Some expectant mothers may choose to defer dental x-rays during the first trimester, although it is still considered a safe time. If needed, we can typically take the required orthodontic x-rays either before or after the first trimester.
Changes to your oral health are possible during pregnancy
The most common change to oral health seen during pregnancy is a temporary flare-up of the gums with possible redness and/or swelling -- this is often called "pregnancy gingivitis" due to the timing and symptoms. This doesn't happen to all expectant mothers, but when it does, it occurs independently of whether or not the mother is undergoing orthodontic treatment
Considerations:
The best prevention and management of pregnancy gingivitis to excellent oral hygiene at home. Ask us if you need help with brushing or flossing techniques with or without braces!
Some expectant mothers may choose to have more frequent cleaning appointments during pregnancy, such as every 3-4 months, then return to their regular cleaning frequency after delivery.
For patients who may struggle to keep their teeth clean with braces, clear aligner treatment (i.e. Invisalign) may be a better treatment style because it may allow for easier home oral hygiene.
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Want more information about pregnancy and dental health or treatment? Visit the American Dental Association's (ADA) online overview below, or feel free to call or email us with questions!
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