We have many adult patients who are ready to transform their smiles and are ready for braces or clear aligners. But what happens if the patient is pregnant? Is it safe to get braces while pregnant?
We know how much a woman’s body can change during pregnancy. Will hormonal and other changes affect teeth? The answer is yes, but that doesn’t mean that it’s impossible to get braces while pregnant or even clear aligners while pregnant.
At Kanning Orthodontics, we know how important both events are in your life, and we can guide you through braces treatment while pregnant. We take every precaution to make sure all our patients are safe and healthy throughout their treatment. Here are a few things you should keep in mind if you’re planning to get braces while pregnant.
Healthy Teeth Before Braces
It’s important to have healthy teeth before you start treatment with braces or clear aligners. You need to have your teeth cleaned and examined by your dentist before you get treatment. You need to have any cavities filled, and your dentist needs to check for gum disease.
Once you’re ready for braces treatment, Kanning Orthodontics welcomes you with a free consultation. We will give you a thorough examination and take digital images of your teeth, jaws, and gums. We want to make sure your teeth and gums are healthy and ready for treatment. We’ll lay out your best treatment options and set a schedule, and you’ll be ready to go!
Getting a Dental XRay While Pregnant
One of the biggest concerns our pregnant patients have is getting dental X-rays while pregnant. Are dental X-rays safe while pregnant? With the right precautions, you can safely get dental X-rays while pregnant. You do need to get as few X-rays as possible while pregnant, but the team at Kanning Orthodontics can work with you on that.
Dental X-rays are not the same as X-rays on the rest of your body. The radiation is so low it’s not considered harmful to you or your unborn child. Still, we’re happy to keep the number of X-rays to a minimum.
Teeth Changes During Pregnancy
You probably know that the body goes through a lot of changes during pregnancy, but did you know your teeth can go through changes, too? Those changes can both help and hinder braces treatment, but we’re prepared for both!
Shifting Teeth During Pregnancy
Your hormone levels will go through some drastic changes during your pregnancy, which in turn changes a lot on and in your body. Your dental health is part of that change, thanks to a hormone called relaxin. This hormone causes the ligaments holding your teeth in place to loosen.
Looser ligaments make it easier to move your teeth during braces treatment while pregnant. However, it also means we have to be extra careful not to move your teeth TOO much so they don’t become too loose. It’s a delicate balance with which we’re familiar, so rest assured! We’ve got this.
Losing Teeth During Pregnancy
Why do we ask that you check with your dentist before braces treatment? We want to be sure that you don’t have any jaw or gum disease that could loosen your teeth before braces treatment. Your braces or clear aligners will loosen and move your teeth by applying pressure, but teeth that are already loose are in danger of falling out. A clean bill of health on your gums and jaws will reduce the risk of losing teeth during pregnancy.
Teeth Hurting During Pregnancy
Swollen gums during pregnancy or a toothache during pregnancy are not uncommon. Pregnancy can cause your teeth and gums to be sensitive.
Braces and clear aligners can cause your teeth to be sensitive. You see where this is going, right? Putting both of those together means more sensitivity than usual.
Normally, we would recommend over-the-counter painkillers to help ease your discomfort. Those are generally a no-no during pregnancy.
So does that mean you just have to suffer in silence? Not at all! We have a few other tricks up our sleeves.
Rinsing your mouth with warm salt water soothes and strengthens your gums. It’s OK to rinse your mouth 2-3 times a day to soothe your teeth and gums.
Just be sure you spit out the water so you don’t ingest all that extra sodium. Also, be sure the water is warm but not hot. We don’t want you scalding your gums!
Food Restrictions With Braces During Pregnancy
We all know braces come with food restrictions, such as nothing sticky, hard, or chewy. This will eliminate some candies and junk foods, but it leaves a lot of healthy options!
Pregnancy also has food restrictions, such as no sushi, tuna, unpasteurized dairy, lunch meat, or alcohol. So does this mean you get to spend nine months eating applesauce? Not at all!
Despite the food restrictions, there are plenty of options still available for you to enjoy while pregnant and in braces. Cook your vegetables to soften them, and avoid raw ones, such as raw carrots, broccoli, or cauliflower. Cut meats into small pieces. If your teeth and gums are sore, stick to soft foods for a few days, then you can go back to solid foods.
Oral Hygiene During Pregnancy
It’s always important to maintain good oral hygiene, but it’s especially important during pregnancy. That’s because all of the changes can increase your chances of gingivitis during pregnancy, which can lead to more advanced gum disease. Braces can complicate brushing and flossing. That’s why we recommend using all the tools you can to keep up with good oral hygiene, from using an electric toothbrush that scrubs better to using floss threaders that can make it easier to get around brackets and wires when you floss.
Why is this so important? Studies show oral health can affect the risk of early births and low birth weights. We want to be sure you don’t get gingivitis or advanced gum disease while pregnant, so we will keep a close eye on your teeth and gums during your treatment, but you’ll need to be diligent in brushing and flossing after each meal.
Getting Braces While Pregnant in Kansas City, MO
Kanning Orthodontics wants you to have a great experience with your braces or clear aligners, as well as a smooth pregnancy. We’re ready to guide you through your treatment and ensure that both you and your baby have exceptional care. Schedule a free consult with us, and we’ll guide you through everything you can expect with your braces treatment during pregnancy!