For women who are expecting, safety is a top priority. Growing another
human is a big responsibility, and any woman wants to make sure that what
she is putting into her body will not harm her developing child. If you
are a pregnant woman with misaligned teeth, you may be asking yourself,
is it safe for me to wear braces while pregnant?

Can I Wear Braces While Pregnant?

In short, the answer is yes. There are little to no risks associated with
the conventional care that comes along with maintaining braces. However,
the x-rays, which are used to diagnose your treatment properly, are best
performed before pregnancy. While studies have shown that the risk of
harm to an unborn baby during routine dental x-rays is minimal, some women
would rather not take any chance at all. If you are considering getting
braces in the near future, but are also thinking of becoming pregnant
sometime soon, it is best to schedule your x-rays as soon as you can so
that you do not face this issue.

Gum Changes During Pregnancy

One issue that women may run into while pregnant is increased swelling
of the gums due to increased blood volume during pregnancy. Braces may
increase irritation with pregnant women’s gums. However, this swelling
can easily be managed and the pain associated with the swelling is minimal.

Cravings During Pregnancy

A common side effect of pregnancy is experiencing very specific cravings
for certain foods. While most of these foods are okay to eat with braces,
there are certain foods you will want to avoid. These include:

• Popcorn
• Hard and sticky candies
• Hard pretzels
• Tortilla chips

With braces, always remember to avoid eating whole fruits and vegetables
such as apples and corn on the cob. This is easily accomplished by simply
cutting the fruits and vegetables into manageable pieces. Use your best
judgment when it comes to eating foods that could cause issues with your braces.