Braces are a common technique used to correct crooked teeth. However, is it dangerous for pregnant women to wear braces during pregnancy?
Braces correct gaps between teeth that are too wide, as well as jaw problems that cause an uneven bite and misaligned teeth.
Additionally, braces can also address crowded or crooked teeth. To achieve optimal results, each person requires a different type of braces, tailored to their needs.
For the average person, getting braces is a common practice that can be done without affecting other physical conditions. But what about pregnant women? Is it dangerous for the fetus if braces are worn?
Here are some things you should know about braces and the dangers of wearing braces during pregnancy. Let’s take a look.
What Are Braces?
Reported from the Very Well Family page , braces or braces are health devices consisting of wires and brackets.
Braces are devices that help correct dental problems, such as crowded, crooked, or misaligned teeth. Braces are attached to the teeth and adjusted periodically to slowly move them to achieve the ideal alignment.
How it works: The braces will gradually straighten and align the teeth until each bite becomes more normal. When the teeth are in ideal position and alignment, the resulting smile will also appear more attractive.
Is it dangerous for pregnant women to wear braces?
According to Dr. Nugraha Kesuma Arief, there are no specific contraindications for braces during pregnancy. This is because the procedure does not involve the use of any medications or substances that could be harmful to the pregnancy.
“However, it’s important to note that for a certain period after braces are fitted, a person will usually experience pain and discomfort in the mouth. This is because the teeth and jaw have just been adjusted to a certain position,” he explained.
As a result, this condition often reduces a person’s appetite due to discomfort in the mouth. Now, For pregnant women, this condition certainly needs to be considered carefully.
Nutritional needs for pregnant women are crucial, as they are essential for fetal growth and development. Pregnant women should never neglect their nutritional needs just to enhance their appearance.
However, every mother experiences pregnancy differently. Be sure to consult with your healthcare provider about your situation if you have any questions about braces during pregnancy.
“Therefore, we recommend that you discuss this with your dentist before getting braces. The goal, of course, is to ensure it doesn’t interfere with your pregnancy,” Nugraha advised.
Benefits of Wearing Braces During Pregnancy
Here are the benefits of getting braces while pregnant.
Teeth become looser and move more easily during pregnancy.
As reported on the Very Well Family website , the medical benefit of wearing braces during pregnancy is that teeth will move more easily and become looser due to hormones during pregnancy.
Kansas dentist Ken Dillehay adds that teeth tend to harden after childbirth.
Loosening of teeth during pregnancy may be related to the pregnancy hormone relaxin, which relaxes ligaments in the pelvis to prepare the body for childbirth.
“It can also loosen the ligaments that hold your teeth to your jaw,” explains ob-gyn Andrea Chisholm, MD.
Reducing Postpartum Hassles
The benefit of having braces during pregnancy is that you can still do a lot of activities before your baby is born.
During pregnancy, you can have regular checkups with your braces. However, it may take longer for your braces to reach their ideal position.
If braces are started during pregnancy, the completion of braces treatment can occur after your baby is born.
However, it’s best to inform your doctor or midwife about your pregnancy before getting braces. Your dentist should be aware of any changes, including those related to the fetus’ health, especially during the early weeks of pregnancy.
Disadvantages of Wearing Braces During Pregnancy
While successful orthodontic treatment can boost your confidence and even improve your oral health, there are many temporary side effects that can be managed, including pain, soreness, and other symptoms during pregnancy.
Is it dangerous for pregnant women to wear braces? Here are some of the disadvantages of wearing braces during pregnancy.
Has a High Potential for Gum Disease
The disadvantage of wearing braces during pregnancy is the high potential for gum disease.
According to the Fry Orthodontics website , hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy can alter your body’s response to plaque and germs. Pregnant women are at higher risk of developing gum disease, known as gingivitis .
During pregnancy, braces can interfere with your brushing routine, making it even more difficult to floss and reach the surface of your teeth. Floss is a thin filament used for interdental cleaning to remove food and plaque from between teeth or in hard-to-reach areas.
Pregnant women are limited in their food intake.
Another downside to braces during pregnancy that’s worth considering is dietary restrictions. However, during pregnancy, you should ensure optimal nutrition for both you and your baby.
Further braces can also limit your food choices. Hard foods like raw apples and carrots that are cooked but not yet soft, and sticky foods like caramel and toffee become difficult to eat. Because these foods are hard, they are difficult to bite while wearing braces, and they can get stuck between the braces and be difficult to clean.
Pregnant women often experience discomfort in their teeth and mouth.
The disadvantage of having braces while pregnant is that they may feel uncomfortable when they are first installed.
When new braces are first installed, there will be some pain as the teeth are pulled and positioned. If you’re pregnant and wearing braces, you’ll likely experience pain repeatedly during the first few weeks.
Consult your dentist, pediatrician, and midwife if the pain is unbearable. Teeth and gums become more sensitive during pregnancy.
In fact, “Teeth become a little more sensitive to temperature changes during pregnancy,” Dr. Dillehay warns, as reported by Very Well Family .
Greater Time Commitment
The downside of wearing braces during pregnancy is the time commitment, requiring regular checkups. Are the braces properly positioned? Are they comfortable? Have the teeth shifted beyond their ideal position?
During braces treatment, you must visit the dentist regularly and have regular dental check-ups.
So, you have monthly obligations for regular obstetrician visits, dental checkups, and work and other commitments. It’s important to keep your body from getting overtired and stressed during pregnancy .
How to care for braces
Dental hygiene is essential during pregnancy to avoid long-term complications for the baby. All routine checkups and procedures, such as cleanings, periodontal treatment, root canals, fillings, and braces, can be performed safely during pregnancy.
Braces during pregnancy can also help you avoid complications that may arise from untreated dental problems.
Hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy can alter your body’s response to plaque and bacteria. These changes can increase the likelihood of periodontal disease and gingivitis during pregnancy.
As reported on the Fry Orthodontics website , here are some important things to keep in mind if you wear braces while pregnant:
- Pregnancy hormones can make your teeth looser than usual.
- Increased estrogen and progesterone levels are common during pregnancy and will change how your gums respond to plaque. This is why brushing and flossing are crucial for everyone, especially pregnant women undergoing orthodontic treatment.
- Pregnant women have a higher risk of developing gum disease.
- There should be more attention to oral hygiene during pregnancy, with or without braces.
Steps to Care for Braces During Pregnancy
If you have orthodontic braces during pregnancy, it is very important that you take proper care of them to avoid dental problems.
As reported on the Parenting First Cry website , here are some steps you can follow to care for your braces:
-
Rinse Your Mouth Properly
Food residue that may remain in the mouth can cause bacterial growth, which can lead to various dental problems.
Rinse your mouth thoroughly after every meal. It’s crucial to thoroughly remove any food residue after eating.
You can consult your dentist and ask him to prescribe a toothpaste that can be used if you have braces.
Just as brushing your teeth is important for maintaining oral health, flossing is also important.
Trying to use dental floss to clean the areas that a toothbrush can’t reach can prevent any kind of dental or gum problems during pregnancy.
-
Visit Your Dentist Regularly
It’s recommended that you visit your dentist regularly if you have braces during pregnancy. Your dentist will not only help you monitor your dental health but can also help your doctor identify any potential problems.
Wearing braces can help you achieve a perfect smile. However, it’s best to consult a doctor and learn about the procedure before deciding to get braces.
Pay Attention to This If You Want to Get Braces
Is it dangerous for pregnant women to wear braces? According to Gregory J. Jorgensen, DMD, an Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics specialist, as quoted on the sharecare website , wearing braces is not a problem at all for pregnant women. However, there are two things mothers should be aware of: gum swelling and x-rays .
“Pregnancy changes your body’s hormonal balance, and those changes can lead to ‘pregnancy gingivitis,’ or swollen gums. It’s really just an exaggerated response to the plaque in your mouth,” says Jorgensen.
The way to address this condition is very simple: diligently maintain good oral hygiene. Meanwhile, another important thing to consider is x-rays .
“Regarding X-rays , simply inform your dentist that you are pregnant. Don’t let your doctor or other medical professional perform an X-ray of your mouth while you’re still pregnant; wait until after you give birth,” she said.
To make the wisest choice, always discuss any medical procedures with your obstetrician, midwife, or healthcare provider while you are pregnant or trying to conceive. It is perfectly safe to have orthodontic treatment or even braces during pregnancy.
Be sure to tell your dentist that you are pregnant, and be careful about cleaning around your braces during pregnancy.
Moms, that’s the information regarding braces for pregnant women. We hope this is helpful.
***
Republished with permission from theAsianParent Indonesia
Together Against RSV
Pregnancy
Parenting
Child
Feeding & Nutrition
Education
Events
Holiday Hub
Shopping
Press Releases
Project Sidekicks
Community
Advertise With Us
Contact Us
VIP
Rewards
