Everyone wants a brighter, whiter smile, but if you expect one, you should avoid teeth whitening procedures. Why take a chance on a developing infant, especially if the risk is extremely low? The facts about teeth whitening when pregnant are as follows.
The question remains Can You Whiten Your Teeth While Pregnant? Pregnancy comes with a large list of dos and don’ts, which you were undoubtedly taught from the start. Because of the abundance of lies in the world, almost anything you see may rapidly become suspect.
Some foods, beverages, and activities are difficult to categorize, making determining what is safe and what is not even more challenging. Consider the process of whitening your teeth. Before discovering you were pregnant, you might have enjoyed bleaching your teeth at home or work. You may prefer to postpone the surgery while you are pregnant.
Can You Whiten Your Teeth While Pregnant
Bleaching or whitening your teeth during pregnancy poses no risks to you or your unborn child. It’s normally advisable to wait until after pregnancy and nursing to have your teeth bleached by a dentist or to use over-the-counter teeth bleaching or whitening treatments because there isn’t enough study to know if bleaching is safe.
The exposure will not harm your unborn child. Because this is a cosmetic operation, you should exercise extreme caution and postpone using these therapies until after giving birth.
Despite the scarcity of knowledge about the risks of teeth whitening during pregnancy, there is some evidence that it is safe. The active ingredient in the majority of tooth whitening procedures is hydrogen peroxide.
Carbamide peroxide, which degrades into hydrogen peroxide in water, is found in various products. The quantities of hydrogen peroxide in professional whitening procedures are typically higher than those in at-home products. Hydrogen peroxide is usually thought to be safe. The most common adverse effect of teeth whitening methods is some degree of tooth discomfort.
You may whiten your teeth at home using ordinary household materials such as coconut oil, vinegar, and charcoal. Although some of these procedures may cause unpleasant side effects, there is no evidence that they will whiten your teeth. For example, coconut oil may cause stomach discomfort and diarrhea.
While pregnant, you don’t have to use whitening toothpaste; although brushing your teeth twice daily is a considerably better and safer option.
Stains can be avoided by not smoking and avoiding coffee, tea, and dark fruit liquids such as cherry juice. Pregnancy is a wonderful time to visit your dentist regularly. Furthermore, your dentist is the best source of information about the best time to have your teeth whitened.
The Possible risks for both you and your unborn kid.
Everything is more dangerous during pregnancy because the pregnant body is more vulnerable to damage and disease. If you’re pregnant, teeth whitening, which usually has a low risk of side effects, may become more problematic.
Remember that teeth whitening has not been proven to be more dangerous than regular brushing. Among the dangers are, but are not limited to, Tissue deterioration. Pregnant women are more vulnerable to gingivitis because of an increase in hormones. Gingivitis during pregnancy can cause your gums to swell and become irritated. When treated with large amounts of hydrogen peroxide, inflamed gums and soft tissues are a source of discomfort and short-term injury.
Sensitive teeth. Because hydrogen peroxide can eat away at the enamel and irritate the nerves of your teeth, if you’ve ever attempted teeth whitening products and wondered why your teeth were so sensitive to everything, this is why. Again, because everything is especially sensitive during pregnancy for various reasons, One may exacerbate these effects and be quite uncomfortable.
You may jeopardize the baby’s health. We don’t know what high levels of hydrogen peroxide do to a baby’s developing brain. Even if they are perfectly secure, we have no way of knowing. When it comes to cosmetic operations like teeth whitening, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Pregnancy-Friendly Alternatives
Taking good care of your teeth and gums before and during pregnancy may help you avoid significant dental problems later in life. Pregnant women can follow the ADA’s recommendations to maintain healthy mouths while carrying their children. There are several of these:
Brushing twice a day for two minutes using an ADA-approved fluoride toothpaste
Regular flossing eliminates plaque and food particles. You cannot emphasize the significance of eating healthily and avoiding sugary beverages and snacks.
Prevent oral health problems by arranging routine dental examinations and cleanings before and during your pregnancy.
Brushing your teeth with baking soda and water helps neutralize stomach acids if you suffer from morning sickness.
Following your dentist’s recommendations for home care or therapy, such as using an antibiotic mouth rinse,
Speak with your dentist about what to expect to keep your dental health in tip-top form during pregnancy. By postponing elective operations such as tooth whitening and practicing strict oral hygiene while pregnant, it is feasible to focus on the joy of being pregnant and the arrival of a new baby rather than worrying about potential dental difficulties.
Concerns about oral health during pregnancy
Hormones affect oral health in a variety of ways, including the following:
Gingivitis.
It has previously been reported that pregnancy causes edema and inflammation of soft tissue, including the gums. Plaque on your teeth also irritates your gums, making brushing and flossing more difficult. Gingivitis can aggravate gum bleeding. Changes in saliva production and plaque accumulation may also indicate gum disease.
Enamel erosion.
Regular exposure to acidic meals and stomach acid may erode the protective coating of enamel on your teeth. Acid exposure may destroy your enamel if you suffer from chronic or severe morning sickness or acid reflux throughout your pregnancy. Some of this can be avoided by rinsing your mouth with water after vomiting and delaying brushing your teeth for a few minutes.
Cavities.
Cravings for sugary foods, such as simple carbs, may increase your risk of tooth decay during pregnancy. Clean your teeth after eating anything sugary, at the very least.
Pregnancy-related mouth “tumors.”
This may appear to be a nightmare, but it is not! Pyogenic granulomas are small, innocuous growths that develop from swelling tissue and are common in pregnant women. Their appearance may be similar to small red raspberries. However, this is only a transient situation.