Can you whiten your teeth while pregnant? Everyone wants a whiter, brighter smile, but undergoing teeth whitening procedures may not be the best idea for an expectant mother.
While it is not possible to whiten teeth while pregnant, there are methods for removing minor stains and maintaining a white smile.
For more information on teeth whitening while pregnant, keep reading.
Can You Whiten Your Teeth While Pregnant?
There is little research to substantiate the safety of whitening kits throughout pregnancy.
Thus, many doctors suggest that pregnant women wait until after delivery and nursing before they start a bleaching treatment for their teeth.
The majority of chemical teeth-bleaching agents contain hydrogen peroxide, which is merely water with an extra oxygen atom in its composition.
If used in high concentrations, hydrogen peroxide can harm tissue.
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Benefits of Teeth Whitening During Pregnancy
The benefits of teeth whitening while pregnant are pretty straightforward: brighter, whiter-looking teeth.
To do this, you must remove the stains that dark-colored food and beverages and beverages leave on your teeth.
However, it’s important to note that tooth-colored dental restorations like bonding don’t usually respond as well to whitening formulas as your natural teeth do.
Risks of Teeth Whitening During Pregnancy
One risk of teeth whitening is possible damage to gum tissue. While the dentist covers the gums with a barrier to prevent damage, the whitening procedure can still be detrimental to gum health.
Additionally, some household products, particularly those that are misused or used excessively, can irritate and cause sensitivity.
Pregnancy is occasionally linked to sore, red gums. 60 to 75 percent of pregnant women have gingivitis, compared to 30 percent of the adult population as a whole.
Periodontitis, also known as gum disease, begins with gingivitis. Hormone changes are a factor in the condition.
Even though getting teeth whitened while expecting may not be bad for the baby, it can aggravate a mother’s already inflamed gums.
Invasive procedures like periodontal scaling and root planing may be necessary as a result of periodontal disease, which is not only painful.
How to Whiten Teeth When Pregnant?
There are some things a pregnant woman can try to brighten her smile without teeth-whitening products.
To start, maintaining good oral hygiene is always important. Even though it may not significantly whiten teeth, having a clean mouth and fresh breath is always a good thing.
Patients who are expecting should maintain their regular dental cleanings and appointments. Without using additional chemicals, teeth can be significantly whiter after a professional cleaning that removes plaque.
Some pregnant women switch to decaf coffee or soda. These have the same tooth-dimming effects as their highly caffeinated counterparts. Avoiding the need for bleaching agents by sticking to foods and beverages that won’t stain teeth.
Some people firmly believe in at-home whitening remedies like brushing with baking soda, rinsing with apple cider vinegar, or certain properties of fruits like papayas and pineapple, even though the majority of them have not been scientifically proven to work.
Women who are expecting should talk to their doctor about the advantages and disadvantages of any of these, including whether or not they are effective.
Women should stick to over-the-counter toothpaste or rinses if they truly want to use whitening products. By using at-home whitening kits instead of professional whitening at the dentist, the amount of peroxide exposure is reduced.
Just keep in mind that it won’t completely eliminate exposure. It’s best to check the peroxide content of any product and to limit usage.
Read More: How to Whiten Teeth With Braces?
Summary: Can You Whiten Your Teeth While Pregnant
If you want to whiten your teeth, that’s perfectly understandable. You would want to have your smile at its best in a variety of situations.
It’s understandable that some people are torn because they also want what’s best for an unborn child.
Our best recommendation is to discuss the subject with a doctor so they can assess any potential risks to you and your unborn child.
FAQs
Is It Safe to Whiten Teeth When Pregnant?
Even though teeth whitening is a risk-free procedure, it is not advised for expectant mothers.
Can You Use Baking Soda to Whiten Teeth While Pregnant?
Alternatively, you could whiten your teeth naturally using baking soda or another substance.
Can You Whiten Your Teeth While Breastfeeding?
However, a lot of dental and medical experts advise against teeth whitening while breastfeeding.
