If you are here, you are wondering: is it possible to undergo orthodontic treatment when you are pregnant?
In short, the answer is yes
But beware, there are some precautions to take!
The impact of pregnancy on orthodontics
Pregnancy has an impact on many aspects of a woman’s life:
· The lifestyle,
· Diet,
· And health in general.
However, will pregnancy affect your orthodontic treatment?
Keep the following in mind:
Orthodontic treatments have no impact on the developing fetus. It is therefore perfectly advisable to pursue an orthodontic treatment plan during pregnancy. Whether it is a treatment with classic or lingual rings or even a treatment with Invisalign aligners, you can perform them without any problem during your pregnancy. You are pregnant and planning to start orthodontic treatment, here are 7 questions and their answers that may interest you before you start:
1- Does orthodontic treatment involve taking medication?
Generally speaking, orthodontic treatment does not require any anesthesia or medication. There are therefore no contraindications related to taking medication during pregnancy. When there is an extraction prescription on the other hand – even surgery associated with the treatment – it will then be necessary to think precisely with your orthodontist and with the maxillofacial surgeon who will perform the operation.
2- How can pregnancy affect the position of the teeth?
Although orthodontic appliances can be worn safely during pregnancy, certain factors can make treatment more difficult for both the patient and the orthodontist. This is because pregnancy hormones can make your teeth more mobile and quicker to move than usual. This may involve faster movements and therefore adaptations in the patient’s orthodontic treatment plan. But there is nothing insurmountable about that!
3- Can what we eat during pregnancy affect the teeth?
Depending on the type of treatment chosen, certain foods may be prohibited.
For example, for all treatments with rings (internal rings in the case of a lingual treatment or external rings) we forbid all hard elements which could break the rings, or else which could get stuck:
- Sticky or hard candies,
- Chewing gum
- Hard cookies,
- Pretzels,
- Hazelnut,
In the case of a treatment with Invisalign aligners, there is no food prohibited during the treatment : just remove your aligners when you eat.
4- Tell your orthodontist about your pregnancy!
Before starting treatment, the orthodontist needs to be informed if you are pregnant or if you are planning a pregnancy.
5- Is there a more favorable time for treatment during pregnancy?
Most women receiving orthodontic treatment during their pregnancy do not experience any particular difficulty. However, as some orthodontic appliances require a little time to adjust (for a lingual or an Invisalign for example), it is often better to start treatment before the start of pregnancy: this will give the patient time to get used to it quietly. It will also reduce the risk of discomfort during a period when women may be more sensitive than usual. If this is not possible, do not worry, it is still quite possible to follow a treatment, you will just have to be very careful and warn your practitioner in case of pain.
6- Discuss your orthodontic treatment with your obstetrician
If you are considering orthodontic treatment while you are pregnant, you should discuss this with your obstetrician beforehand. Some women can sometimes suffer from dental inflammation problems during their pregnancy: this can cause gingivitis or simply more rapid changes in the positions of the teeth.
7- In summary
If you were wearing braces before pregnancy, there is no reason to stop your treatment. If you start orthodontic treatment during your pregnancy, you should continue with your treatment plan. You will just have to warn your orthodontist so that he is aware of the potential changes to come (faster tooth movements linked to the strong increase in hormones).