Is It Safe To Undergo Orthodontic Treatments During Pregnancy?
Should You Undergo Orthodontic Treatment During a Pregnancy?
You might wonder if it is safe to undergo orthodontic treatment during pregnancy with braces or Invisalign aligners. In some cases, you might already have orthodontic devices on your teeth, so you wouldn’t want to remove the devices because this would disrupt your treatment plan. However, you should tell your orthodontist that you are pregnant because it can change the way that you are treated. If you are pregnant, then your body goes through rapid changes, including gaining weight. In addition, your body chemistry changes, leading to problems with excess saliva and other oral health issues.
It Is Often Difficult To Cope With Aligners or Braces While You Are Pregnant
Many pregnant women also experience morning sickness, and this condition leads to nausea or vomiting. If a woman is vomiting, then the excess stomach acid in her mouth can damage the wires or brackets of braces. When a pregnant woman is wearing Invisalign aligners, she may need to remove the devices frequently when she is nauseated or vomiting, and this can also disrupt an orthodontic treatment plan.
Changes In Weight Will Affect How Your Braces or Aligners Fit
Pregnant women also gain weight, and this can change how often she needs to have her braces adjusted to fit properly. Fortunately, an orthodontist understands how to cope with changes in weight because the children and teenagers who wear braces also have this problem. However, if you are wearing plastic aligners to straighten your teeth, then you will probably need new molds to make the devices. When adults wear aligners, they have usually stopped growing, so an orthodontic office uses the original set of molds to create the series of clear plastic aligners. The size of a woman’s mouth might change as she is pregnant, but an orthodontist can collect a new set of molds for her customized aligners.
Aligners and Braces Can Irritate Your Gums and Jawbone
Women who aren’t wearing aligners or braces while pregnant can wait to begin orthodontic treatment. When you begin orthodontic treatment, it can lead to irritation in the oral cavity with swollen or bleeding gums. The pressure on your teeth can lead to pain in the jaw, neck and shoulders, but if you are pregnant, then your physician won’t want you taking pain medications. The hormones in your body from pregnancy can make it more difficult to shift your teeth into the correct positions. If you are wearing aligners, then you might need to remove the devices frequently because you are consuming more meals and snacks throughout the day.
Visit an Orthodontist For Loose Teeth
Some women do have problems with their teeth during a pregnancy, including teeth that become loose in the gums. If this happens to you, then you should make an appointment with an orthodontic office right away. Make sure to inform the office staff and hygienist that you are pregnant to avoid too much exposure to harmful X-rays. If you have loose teeth, then it is important to begin orthodontic treatment as soon as possible, but you should avoid taking any medications without your physician’s approval.
Orthodontic Treatment Is Necessary For Injuries or Other Oral Health Issues
Another reason to begin orthodontic treatment during pregnancy is that you have an injury to your mouth. When your teeth are damaged by a vehicular accident or sports injury, an orthodontist can help you. It is possible to save chipped, dislocated or loose teeth with a variety of treatments. Experts recommend avoiding medical images or X-rays while you are pregnant, so you should discuss your orthodontic treatment with your physician before undergoing treatment.
There Are Numerous Types Of Braces
If you are planning a pregnancy, then visit an orthodontist first to determine if you need braces or aligners. The best time for an orthodontist to collect medical images is before a pregnancy. Alternatively, you can wait until after you give birth to begin orthodontic treatment. There are numerous types of braces available, including:
- Traditional metal wires and brackets
- Ceramic braces that have clear wires and tooth-colored brackets
- Lingual braces worn on the backs of your teeth
In addition, you might need treatment with palatal expanders or headgear.
You Can Wear Aligners For Mild To Moderate Malocclusions
When you have mild to moderate malocclusions of your teeth, you can wear clear plastic aligners that are designed using Invisalign software. These devices are worn for 23-hours each day and night, but you must remove the items to consume food, drink water and perform oral hygiene. An orthodontist will create up to 30 sets of aligners that are made in different configurations to shift your teeth into the correct positions in six months to one year.
Contact Us Today
At Tisseront Orthodontics in Reston, Va., we offer an assortment of orthodontic treatments for children, teenagers and adults. Our patients can enjoy a free consultation concerning these orthodontic devices:
- Harmony braces
- Lingual braces
- Invisalign aligners
- Metallic braces
- Ceramic braces
- Retainers
We also offer electronic devices that are designed for stimulating the nerves and alveolar bones in your jaw to reduce your orthodontic treatment time. Contact us today at 703-773-1200 to schedule your first orthodontic appointment with Tisseront Orthodontics.