Expectant mothers are often worried about how their medical treatments might affect their babies. Since applying braces involves multiple materials and a special adhesive, in addition to the procedures and checkups involved, many wonder if they can get braces and other orthodontic treatments while they are pregnant.
Continue reading to learn about why being pregnant does not prevent you from getting braces, as well as the special steps you may need to take to wear braces safely when you are expecting.
Want to find out if you or your child needs braces? Visit Reese Orthodontics in Charleston, SC for leading orthodontic care.
Why Get Braces While Pregnant?
In many ways, pregnancy offers an ideal opportunity to undergo orthodontic treatment. Since your baby will likely occupy your schedule after the delivery, pregnancy may give you time to focus on your oral health. You may be on leave from work and already scheduling multiple doctor’s visits, so one more could not be a big deal.
Note that this applies to expectant dads as well! The time requirements after the baby arrives could make braces inconvenient later.
Precautions for Getting Braces While Pregnant
The metals and adhesive used to build and attach your braces are safe for you and the baby during pregnancy. However, there are quite a few things you should consider before jumping in.
Dental Health Procedures
Braces should never be placed over teeth that have issues such as cavities, decay, or other diseases. This means that you will need to get your oral health in order before getting braces. Since each oral health issue has a different treatment, check with your doctor to make sure that each of them is safe for you while you are pregnant.
Dental x-rays, for instance, are often required to diagnose dental issues. However, these are not generally safe during pregnancy without additional procedures. Your doctor will need to take extra precautions, such as extra lead padding placed in the appropriate areas, if a dental x-ray is necessary.
Gum Inflammation
During pregnancy, many mothers experience gum inflammation and recession. This can make you more vulnerable to plaque buildup as well as cause discomfort. Gum inflammation can affect your eligibility to receive braces as well as how comfortable they are for you.
Diets and Cravings
It is well-known that pregnancy often causes cravings. These could combine awkwardly with the dietary restrictions placed on patients when they wear braces. Eating the wrong foods, such as chewy steak or bagels, crunchy candies or chips, hard nuts or carrots, or fibrous vegetables like celery, can damage your braces by bending the wires or causing the brackets to come loose. Sugary foods and drinks are also not recommended.
Consider whether you have the willpower to resist cravings that conflict with your orthodontist’s dietary restrictions before getting braces while pregnant. On the positive side, by combining the orthodontist’s list of restrictions with your doctor’s recommended pregnancy diet, you could not only keep your teeth healthier but also control your weight gain during pregnancy.
How to Maintain Oral Health During Pregnancy
If you decide to get braces during your pregnancy, you should keep a few things in mind to maintain your oral hygiene. Here are a few tips:
Brush often – Many expecting mothers experience morning sickness accompanied by vomiting, which can damage braces. Be sure to brush, floss, and rinse after each episode.
Resist pain killers – Braces can be uncomfortable, particularly in the first week. However, for the safety of your baby, do not take any painkillers without first asking your doctor about their safety.
Wear your retainer – Hormonal changes during pregnancy can change how your teeth move. You may need to wear your retainer longer after your braces come off because of these changes.
Consider Invisalign
The materials and procedures used in braces are safe. No medications or special tests are required. However, all the above considerations may be too much to handle for mothers that already have so much on their minds.
Invisalign offers an alternative to braces that is also completely safe and comes with a few bonus conveniences. Firstly, you can take it out to eat and drink, so the dietary restrictions are not as harsh. Secondly, the appliance is practically invisible, so mothers who are nervous about changes in their appearance during pregnancy don’t also have to worry about the look of braces.
Ask your orthodontist about your eligibility for Invisalign as well as your price options to receive the treatment.
Choose Reese Orthodontics
If you’re an adult who is considering braces, you need professional advice on your treatment and payment options. For orthodontic treatments in Charleston, SC, Reese Orthodontics offers the latest technology and treatment plans. We can customize our advanced and comfortable orthodontic treatments to suit your needs. A consultation with Reese Orthodontics includes scans, a comprehensive exam, and a conversation with the orthodontist to discover which treatment options are right for you.
Schedule an appointment with us today to stay ahead of your oral health and receive the best possible treatment in your area.