Is It Safe to Wear Retainers During Pregnancy?

What Are Retainers?

They are oral appliances in orthodontic dentistry that help hold teeth in place after wearing braces. Ideally, it should take between 6 and 24 months to complete your orthodontic treatment with braces. After that period, your teeth will have moved to a new position. However, it takes a lot longer for teeth to be permanently secure in their new place. Usually, dentists recommend wearing retainers to allow stability and firmness of teeth in the new position.

Why Do People Wear Retainers?

Patients wear retainers because they are a prescription from their dentists. At Rosedale Dental Care, we are adamant about our orthodontic patients wearing retainers immediately after removing dental braces. The reason is that retainers are the best shot at ensuring that your treatment does not fail.

Dental retainers work by holding teeth in their new position long enough for new bone tissues to generate and support them. Without retainers, your teeth will gradually shift back to their initial location, or worse. Any force you exert on your teeth after orthodontic treatment is sufficient to move them unless you wear retainers.

Must You Wear a Retainer After Braces?

Ideally, after your treatment with dental braces, you need retainers to help maintain the results of your treatment. The benefits of wearing a retainer are especially evident during the first year post orthodontic treatment. If you are uncomfortable with the thought of wearing another oral appliance, consider talking to your family dentist in Brampton about the varieties of retainers available to patients after orthodontics treatments.

Maneuvering Orthodontic Treatment During Pregnancy

Many people believe that pregnancy exempts you from orthodontic treatment with braces. However, it is unfounded since teeth aligners are 100 percent safe to wear during pregnancy. However, you must keep your dentist up to date with your pregnancy journey. The reason is that pregnancy causes several bodily changes that may affect your oral cavity. For instance, your gums may be sore and tender, making your experience with braces uncomfortable. Besides, you may have a high risk of gum disease during pregnancy, possibly influencing the success of your orthodontic treatment. The good news I that as long as your dentist is aware that you are pregnant, (s)he will adjust the orthodontic care to account for any oral changes.

Can I Wear Invisalign During Breastfeeding?

When lactating, everything that gets into your body can affect your child’s health. It makes sense that lactating others are hesitant to try new things in dentistry for fear of their children’s wellbeing. However, when it comes to teeth aligners like Invisalign, you can trust them for straightening your teeth even while breastfeeding. Teeth aligners do not contain chemicals or substances that can harm your health or your unborn child.

Can I Get a Permanent Retainer While Pregnant?

Regarding getting retainers during pregnancy, the major concern should regard comfort and convenience. Retainers are safe during pregnancy, just like oral braces. However, the hormonal imbalances in your body can introduce new changes in your oral health. Many pregnant women experience loose teeth, potentially translating to teeth shifting positions. Getting a retainer immediately after removing braces is the only way to maintain straight teeth.

Removable retainers mean that you can remove and wear them accordingly when you want. The challenge with these retainers is that you may forget to wear them after removing them.

Permanent retainers, on the other hand, free you from needing to locate your retainers to wear them. Instead, the dental wire will be in your teeth securely to keep them in place. The concern that pregnant women have with permanent retainers is the need for x-rays or sedation before getting them. Fortunately, you do not need to undergo sedation dentistry or a dental x-ray before getting retainers.

Summary

Pregnancy is not a good enough reason for a failed orthodontic treatment. Both braces and retainers are harmless to your oral cavity and your unborn child’s health. The only concern should be to manage your health around hormonal changes that may impact your oral health.