Pregnancy is an exciting time that is often full of joy, anticipation, and change for expectant mothers.
As your body goes through transformations to nurture a growing baby, pregnancy also brings shifts in your oral health. With fluctuating hormones and changes in diet, you may notice differences in your teeth and gums.
During this special time, you naturally want to look and feel your best. And with a brighter smile high on many women’s beauty wish lists, it is not unusual for you to wonder: “Is teeth whitening safe while pregnant?”. This is because understanding the potential risks can help you make an informed decision about whitening your teeth during pregnancy.
How Pregnancy Affects Your Oral Health
When you become pregnant, surging reproductive hormones like estrogen and progesterone can exacerbate gum sensitivity, swelling, and tenderness. In fact, “pregnancy gingivitis” impacts a significant portion of expectant mothers to some degree. As blood circulation and blood flow increase during pregnancy, some women also develop pregnancy tumors – inflammatory, non-cancerous growths that appear on the gums.
The rising levels of progesterone and estrogen during pregnancy can also affect salivary glands. Many pregnant women experience dry mouth, especially during the first trimester. Insufficient saliva allows plaque to build up faster, which raises the risk of tooth decay and gum problems. Additionally, over 75% of expecting mothers suffer from morning sickness to some extent, which can erode tooth enamel from excessive vomiting.
With all the oral health changes already happening during pregnancy, you may wonder if whitening your teeth is a good idea.
Well, the safest rule of thumb is to avoid unnecessary procedures throughout pregnancy – but teeth whitening does not automatically fall into the “risky” category.
Talk to an experienced dentist near you about your options.
Is it Safe to Do Teeth Whitening While Pregnant?
The American Dental Association says there is no evidence conclusively establishing danger to pregnant women or developing fetuses from teeth whitening. However, with hormone fluctuations and sensitivity of gums during pregnancy, most dentists recommend postponing teeth whitening until after delivery.
Dental experts conclude that in healthy women with thriving pregnancies, risks are low. However, women with high-risk pregnancies or prior complications should avoid whitening their teeth until after giving birth.
Is Teeth Whitening Safe While Pregnant: What the Research Shows
Very little research exists studying the safety of at-home and in-office whitening procedures during pregnancy. And no regulations explicitly prohibit pregnant women from whitening their teeth.
With no evidence establishing cause-and-effect relationships between adverse effects and teeth whitening while pregnant, most dentists maintain a cautious approach. They typically suggest pregnant patients postpone cosmetic treatments until after delivery.
One main safety concern focuses on the whitening ingredients hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide. Products used in dental offices under professional supervision contain higher levels of these bleaching agents compared to drugstore whitening kits. And in-office procedures better isolate the chemicals from gum tissues.
So far, studies have not linked whitening treatments to birth defects or any other harm. However, experts have not ruled out potential risks entirely. The American Pregnancy Association reports that major health and medical organizations generally classify teeth whitening as a procedure pregnant women can delay until after giving birth for safety’s sake.
Waiting Until After Your Pregnancy
There is no consensus that teeth whitening while pregnant is always unsafe if done carefully under a dentist’s supervision. But the most cautious approach is waiting until after childbirth.
Postponing whitening removes uncertainty during an already emotionally and physically demanding time for expectant mothers. After delivery and once you finish breastfeeding, teeth whitening is highly unlikely to impact you or your baby’s health.
As long as you maintain excellent oral hygiene daily throughout pregnancy, delaying cosmetic teeth whitening for several months is not harmful. Brush twice daily for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste. Floss at least once daily. And see your dentist for a checkup and cleaning during the early, middle, and late pregnancy phases.
The best plan is to check with your dentist and OB/GYN for personalized guidance about whitening options. If you experience any oral health issues during pregnancy, like gingivitis or bleeding gums, concentrate on resolving those first. Overall, tooth and gum health is most vital for you and your baby – not cosmetic procedures.
Teeth Whitening Considerations Post-Pregnancy
Once your pregnancy is over and you are done breastfeeding, teeth whitening is very safe.
In fact, incorporating dental bleaching into post-baby self-care is popular among new mothers. And with less free time after the baby arrives, at-home whitening kits can offer an incredibly convenient solution that many moms appreciate.
See your dentist right after giving birth for a thorough cleaning and exam to ensure your mouth is healthy. Then, whenever you wish to brighten your post-partum smile, discuss professional versus over-the-counter methods with your dentist.
They can review options to suit your budget and lifestyle needs and may include:
- In-office power bleaching – rapidly lightens teeth 8-10 shades in one hour with higher peroxide concentrations under controlled conditions.
- Dentist-dispensed, take-home whitening kits – allow you to gradually whiten teeth over 2-4 weeks using custom trays. These are more affordable than in-office treatments.
- Over-the-counter products bought in stores include whitening strips, paint-on gels, and tray kits promising gradual lightening over days or a few weeks. Results vary.
Regardless of whether you choose professional teeth whitening or DIY whitening, take care not to overuse products once you finish pregnancy and breastfeeding. Follow all package directions carefully and see your dentist at the first sign of teeth or gum sensitivity, which may signal damage to tissues. And don’t forget to maintain excellent oral hygiene and regular dental visits for optimal health and an enviable bright smile.
Main Takeaways About Whitening Teeth During Pregnancy
- Hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy can exacerbate gum and dental health issues, making teeth more prone to decay. Prioritize excellent oral hygiene daily and throughout pregnancy.
- According to the ADA, no strong evidence definitively establishes teeth whitening as unsafe for pregnant women. But experts agree more research would be helpful.
- Many dentists recommend pregnant women postpone unnecessary dental procedures until after delivery, including cosmetic teeth whitening. However, cautious use of lower-dose at-home or in-office products may be acceptable for women with healthy pregnancies under a dentist’s supervision. Discuss options with your dentist.
- If considering teeth whitening while pregnant, only use products containing the minimum levels of hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide necessary to lift stains gradually. Avoid overusing whitening strips or paint-on tray gels that contact sensitive gum tissues.
- Natural teeth whitening remedies like strawberries, baking soda, coconut oil pulling, and diluted apple cider vinegar avoid chemicals. But results accrue slowly over weeks or months.
- Postponing teeth whitening until after pregnancy is the most cautious option and allows you to concentrate on maintaining excellent oral health daily before your due date.
- Whenever you undergo cosmetic teeth whitening procedures, maintain proper oral hygiene and have regular dental checkups to ensure your teeth and gums stay healthy.
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