Pregnancy involves a series of changes for women that can affect the oral cavity, increasing the chances of suffering from cavities and periodontal diseases. That is why dentists recommend a complete review of the mouth at the time when pregnancy is known, in order to assess possible treatments. Likewise, if the woman is undergoing orthodontic treatment at the time she becomes pregnant, it is important that she notify the specialist as soon as possible, in order to maximize oral care.
I am undergoing orthodontic treatment and I have become pregnant, what do I do?
Every day it is more common for young adult women to have an orthodontic treatment to improve their smile and the health of their mouth. In some cases, the treatment already started may coincide with the moment in which the woman becomes pregnant, and it is likely that then doubts arise about how to proceed in this regard.
During pregnancy hormonal changes cause greater gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) that can be aggravated by irritating factors. The element that usually creates the most gingivitis is dental plaque and orthodontic appliances increase the chances of retaining plaque if proper oral cleaning is not performed. If you are using braces, your orthodontist will inform you about the best way to proceed to daily tooth brushing.
I am pregnant and I want to have an orthodontic treatment: better wait.
But it may happen that the woman is thinking about getting an orthodontic treatment and before starting it she becomes pregnant. In that case, SEDO recommends waiting to give birth to begin with such treatment, since some of the tests that need to be performed to carry it out are not advisable during pregnancy.
First Trimester
During the first trimester of pregnancy, experts advise not to have any dental treatment unless it is very necessary and cannot wait to be performed during the second trimester, which is the most favorable for this. These urgent cases would be, for example, extractions that cannot be expected, large oral infections or caries likely to cause periapical infection.
Second Trimester
The second trimester, on the other hand, is the most suitable to undergo any dental treatment although you always have to inform the dentist of the pregnancy so that you take the appropriate precautions.
Third Trimester
The third quarter, like the first, is again the least recommended for any dental treatment. To the risks of the use of anesthesia, the volume of the gut is added, which can make it difficult or uncomfortable for the mother to remain in the same position for a long time, and even the stress that many people are supposed to go to the dentist. Therefore, in this quarter only urgent treatments that cannot wait to be practiced after giving birth will be done, and in no case will nitrous oxide (popularly known as “laughing gas”) be used as a sedative.
