You are finally ready to straighten your teeth, but you are pregnant. Can you be pregnant and get treatment with braces at the same time? It’s a question many women may be asking themselves. If you are wondering ‘Can I get braces while pregnant?’ Palo Alto Orthodontics has the answer for you and the answers to other questions you likely have as well.

Can you get your teeth fixed while pregnant?

Yes, expecting mothers can get their teeth fixed during pregnancy. In fact, it’s a really good time to get braces treatment because you will be able to adjust to your braces treatment without dividing your attention when the new baby arrives. By the time your child reaches toddler age, your braces should be off so you can pay full attention to your child.

How do you get braces when pregnant?

You get braces during pregnancy just like regular patients. Schedule a consultation with your orthodontist. Be sure to let your orthodontist know that you are pregnant so they can avoid taking x-rays and make other accommodations. Other technologies can create images of your teeth to determine if you are healthy enough for braces and to create a model.

Braces gradually shift teeth into proper alignment over a period of 15 to 18 months. Brackets are bonded to each tooth with an adhesive. Wires and elastic bands anchor the brackets. From time to time, the orthodontist will tighten the wire to induce the next stage of shifting until treatment is complete.

When is the best time to get braces while pregnant?

You can begin treatment anytime during pregnancy. But the best time to start braces while pregnant is after the first trimester, but not too close to your due date. The first trimester is an adjustment period for expecting mothers, and part of that means morning sickness that can affect braces and teeth. You also need time to adjust to your lifestyle with braces, which a new child could make more difficult if you start braces just prior to giving birth.

How does morning sickness affect braces?

Morning sickness is a common symptom of pregnancy that all women dread. The reason why morning sickness is bad for braces is that excess acid from your stomach can coat your teeth and the braces. This can damage the braces and your tooth enamel.

Braces already increase your risk of cavities and gum disease because it’s harder to clean your teeth due to the hardware in your mouth, which is also more difficult to clean. Adding stomach acid to the equation only increase the risk further. If you elect to start braces during the first trimester, be sure to brush your teeth and rinse more to get rid of excess acid.

Does pregnancy affect my teeth and my treatment?

Pregnancy not only affects your teeth, but that can also, in turn, affect your braces. With pregnancy, you will likely notice swelling or inflammation in parts of your body. This can include your gums. You may also notice swelling between your teeth known as a pregnancy tumor. No need to worry, they are temporary and not dangerous to you or your baby.

Pregnancy hormones can cause your teeth to be looser, but this is also nothing to worry about because they will anchor back into place after your pregnancy is over. Obviously, both of these issues have an impact on your treatment plan, which is why telling your orthodontist that you are pregnant is important. It also means scheduling more frequent follow-up appointments to evaluate your progress.

Will my medications interfere with orthodontic treatment?

Your medication should not interfere with your braces treatment in Palo Alto. Furthermore, your orthodontist should not have to administer anesthesia or prescribe any medications either.

How will braces affect my pregnancy diet?

This one will be particularly hard to hear since pregnancy often comes with wild food cravings. Unfortunately, there are dietary restrictions with braces treatment, including no hard candy, popcorn, pretzels, nuts, pizza crust, hard rolls, whole apples, steak, gum, dried fruit, potato chips, and carrots, just to name a few.

That being said, it’s a good time to start eating a healthier diet that will benefit you and your developing baby.

Can I reduce discomfort in my mouth from braces while pregnant?

Braces put pressure on your teeth to shift them, so discomfort is common. It can be amplified during pregnancy because your nerves are more sensitive. You can even develop mouth sores caused by your hardware rubbing against your mouth tissues. But there are several ways to reduce this discomfort.

One way to reduce discomfort is by taking over-the-counter pain medication. Be sure to ask your doctor before taking any medications, but they will likely prescribe Acetaminophen, better known as Tylenol. It’s the safest pain medication for pregnant women.

Other ways to reduce discomfort include cold compresses, a warm saltwater rinse, a gum massage, eating softer foods, applying orthodontic wax, eating ice cream, and sucking on ice cubes. Just make sure to clean your teeth after eating ice cream and don’t chew on the ice because it can damage your braces and your teeth.

Are braces or Invisalign^®better during pregnancy?

Invisalign^® works the same as braces by gradually shifting your teeth into proper alignment over time. The difference is that Invisalign^®aligners are virtually invisible and are removable. You have to wear them at least 22 hours a day and switch to a new set every two weeks. If you have concerns about your appearance or changes to your lifestyle, Invisalign^®may be a better option for you as long as you commit to consistently wearing your aligners.

Other than those differences, both treatments have similar costs and take about the same amount of time to complete.