Home » Blog » Orthodontics during pregnancy, is it possible to do orthodontics despite pregnancy?
Can orthodontics be done during pregnancy? Is it possible to undergo teeth reshaping treatment with a baby in the stomach? Is orthodontics harmful during pregnancy? Does orthodontics interfere with pregnancy? What are the complications and risks of this treatment in pregnancy? What are the positive aspects of this treatment? Can I postpone orthodontics during pregnancy until after delivery? Is the best time to do this treatment before or during or after pregnancy? These are the questions that we will answer. Don’t miss reading this article because you won’t find it more complete anywhere else.
It is always a challenge for women who are of childbearing age to visit an orthodontist to correct their teeth problems. These women can start treatment at any time before, during or after their pregnancy. But in which period is orthodontic treatment really better? So first, let’s briefly review this treatment before, during and after pregnancy.
It seems that due to the fact that women are freer in every way in this period and their worries are less, the best time to do the treatment is before getting pregnant. If you are able to finish your treatment before trying to get pregnant, it will be very good. However, if you are undergoing treatment and you still have a period of treatment left, it is a good opportunity to get pregnant and continue treatment.
There are many women who happen to undergo orthodontic treatment at the beginning of their pregnancy. Despite some extensive changes that occur in women’s bodies during this period, there are no restrictions in doing this treatment even in this period.
Because orthodontic treatments require a lot of visits to specialists and clinics, it is better for a mother not to start treatment until her child grows up. If you have someone at home to take care of your child, you can safely go to the clinic during the visit sessions, but if you are alone in taking care of your child, doing this treatment can be a little troublesome.
Pregnancy is a sensitive period in which many changes can occur. As a result of hormonal changes, a wide range of changes, which include some problems and negative aspects, arise in this period. For example, pregnancy causes some women to experience gingivitis or even infection. This condition is often called gum disease.
Due to hormonal changes during pregnancy, different parts of the body experience swelling or pregnancy edema. This situation can cause the formation of an interesting and temporary phenomenon called pregnancy tumors. Of course, don’t worry, these tumors are not malignant, not even benign, and they disappear very soon. In this phenomenon, the space between your teeth swells. In other words, your gums are slightly swollen, which can cause inflammation.
These hormonal changes during pregnancy can also loosen the teeth. Of course, this does not mean that your teeth are at risk of falling out. And all of them may fail. After childbirth and the birth of the baby, your teeth should be fixed in place like before pregnancy and no longer loose.
We mentioned the loosening of teeth during pregnancy. Please note that our main topic is orthodontics during pregnancy. And a loose tooth is not something that makes an orthodontist treat you. Because a loose tooth can fall out with fixed orthodontic devices and even cause the treatment to fail.
But, it should be noted that not all women will experience loose teeth during this period. Or even if they experience it is partial and temporary. However, even if your teeth are not loose during this period, you should be careful and tell your orthodontist to inform you of all the necessary tips and recommendations. To have the best orthodontic treatment during pregnancy.
For example, normally, normal patients should see an orthodontist after 8 weeks at the latest to readjust the arch wire and other parts of the orthodontic brace. But as a pregnant woman, you should visit your specialist several times during this period.
As a pregnant woman, you may be concerned about the X-rays emitted to take medical pictures of your teeth. This is a common and important concern for pregnant women. It is always best to avoid exposure to even small amounts of X-rays during pregnancy.
However, orthodontists do not pass on their hands so that the radiation hits your neck, stomach and other parts of your body. They use lead shields or radiation shields to prevent radiation from hitting you and the fetus. To ensure that you’re developing baby is not exposed to X-rays. Therefore, with these interpretations, orthodontics during pregnancy with the efforts of specialists can be harmless and free from radiation damage.
However, it is better to avoid exposure to radiation during the first trimester of pregnancy. Because in this sensitive period, there is a possibility of genetic mutation in the fetus and it may be born with a genetic or congenital point.
One of the common orthodontic problems among most patients is the difficulty of brushing, flossing, and cleaning the mouth and teeth despite the presence of orthodontic devices such as braces. Because of the presence of these devices, you cannot brush your teeth as usual and you have to devote more time and attention to this task. This is always emphasized to normal patients, but our emphasis is more on pregnant women. Because they frequently experience problems such as nausea and vomiting, and cleaning their mouths and teeth or taking care of oral hygiene in this regard becomes a little more difficult for them than other patients. However, if your devices are mobile orthodontics, you will face this problem less.
Every time you vomit, some acid enters your mouth along with the above ingredients. This acid can damage your healthy teeth and if you don’t manage it, it can cause your teeth to decay. Second, stomach acid is strong enough to pose a threat to the strength and durability of orthodontic appliances. If you are vomiting during pregnancy, you should wash and brush your teeth immediately after vomiting. If you don’t do this and don’t pay attention to brushing your teeth, orthodontics during pregnancy can cause your teeth to decay.
A good orthodontist will teach you how to take care of your braces and orthodontic appliances to properly remove any bacteria or food particles and maintain your oral health, especially your gum health. If you don’t wash your mouth along with vomiting, this can be one of the side effects of orthodontics during pregnancy.
We completely understand why you have such a question in your mind. We know that you as a pregnant woman are very limited during pregnancy and even the number of medicines you can receive is your finger. This is normal and we are glad that you are always vigilant about this.
The good news is that you do not need any prohibited drugs during the treatment period. Basically, you only take painkillers sometimes, which can be taken if you experience pain. In addition, unlike most dental treatments that require anesthesia, fortunately, we do not use anesthesia at all in orthodontics. So don’t worry about this.
Why lie! Unfortunately, in some women, the use of orthodontic devices, especially metal or ceramic braces, may cause a little pain. But this pain is not severe and is usually experienced only after readjustment of braces and orthodontic arch wire.
This pain in itself is not really much and may not be noticeable at all. But because women may experience a little nervous tension during pregnancy and do not have much stamina or tolerance for events, it is possible that minor pain caused by orthodontics will become a big challenge for them during pregnancy. Therefore, if you are one of the women who have experienced a lot of nervous tension in previous pregnancies, it might be better to postpone the treatment and correction of your teeth until after pregnancy. But if you are calm all the time, even during pregnancy, orthodontic treatment during pregnancy will not have any contraindications for you.
We all know that most women experience weight changes during pregnancy. Most of them, in addition to the weight of the fetus inside their stomach, due to overeating or increased desire to consume more food, their weight is higher than normal. This excess weight makes the appearance of pregnant women a little unpleasant. Which is annoying at least for themselves. For this reason, most women are not very interested in orthodontics during pregnancy because they do not have the stamina and ability to mess up their appearance and bear the pain of orthodontics.
Although this concern is understandable, but to be honest, this concern is more like an excuse and is not acceptable. Because in addition to fixed orthodontics, we have different types of devices in the category of invisible and movable orthodontics, which not only do not cause discomfort for pregnant people, but are not even visible, and no one will know that you are undergoing treatment. The most obvious example of movable and invisible orthodontics are invisilines, which are also known as orthodontic plaques. These transparent orthodontic devices are extremely popular and widely used among pregnant women and adults in general.
A high protein diet has been shown to increase breast milk production and is even recommended for pregnant mothers. One of the very important sources of protein absorption can be mentioned all kinds of meat. But some meats are difficult to chew and are not recommended during orthodontic treatment during pregnancy. Especially using uncooked beef or steak can be dangerous for you.
Instead, use other great ways to get the protein you need, such as eggs, cooked chicken breast, cheese, yogurt, and dairy products that do not interfere with orthodontic treatment. Fish can also be a great source of protein, but you should avoid any mercury in fish like squid and mackerel while you’re pregnant.
Regarding orthodontics during pregnancy, avoid consuming the following foods:
If you plan to undergo treatment during pregnancy, you must be sure to tell your dentist as well as your orthodontist in Canada if you are pregnant or decide to become pregnant. Because this notification may change the dentist’s or specialist’s opinion about the treatment method and the summary of your treatment approach and become more special.
If you are pregnant and thinking about starting orthodontics, it is wise to talk to your gynecologist beforehand. It is not necessary, but it is better that all the doctors you refer to cooperate with each other and help each other in your treatments.