Can You Get Teeth Whitening While Pregnant?
There are over 3.5 million babies born each year in the United States. Pregnancy can cause a number of changes to the appearance of teeth, including discoloration and staining. Many people during pregnancy are understandably concerned about this and wonder if it’s safe to use teeth whitening while pregnant.
In this article, we will go over safe ways to whiten your teeth during pregnancy and if it’s safe to use teeth whitening while pregnant.
Table of Contents
How Teeth Whitening Works
Before answering the question ‘is it safe to use teeth whitening while pregnant’, it’s important to understand the whitening process on your teeth.
Your natural tooth structure can range from yellow to grey hues. Yellow coloring accepts whitening easily and works with most whitening systems. Grey coloring is more challenging to whiten and usually requires professional help.
Discoloration Sources
The most common cause of discoloration is staining from food and beverages. Lifestyle habits like smoking can also lead to yellow teeth. Other causes can be trauma, aging with the natural thinning of enamel, and certain medications.
The Whitening Process
Teeth are porous like sponges, the whitening agents open up the tubules to get the intrinsic stain out (the inside coloring of the tooth). The active ingredient in whitening treatments reacts with stains and breakdown the bond. During this process minimize any staining food and beverages.
Tooth whitening treatment will only work on natural tooth structures. They will not work on fillings or restorations. For more information on this topic, check out our article Does Teeth Whitening Work on Fillings?
Teeth Whitening While Pregnant
Teeth whitening is an incredibly popular cosmetic treatment done at home and at the dental office. Is it safe to use teeth whitening while pregnant? This is a very common question asked to dental professionals.
The American Dental Association (ADA) advises people who are pregnant should avoid elective dental procedures during the first trimester when the fetus is most vulnerable to teratogens. Teratogens are agents that can cause birth defects. It is also important to consult with your dentist and obstetrician before undergoing any dental treatment while pregnant.
Is It Safe To Use Teeth Whitening While Pregnant?
Is it safe to participate in teeth whitening while pregnant? Unfortunately, there is no clear answer because there is little research on this topic. This leads to a lot of room for opinions behind teeth whitening while pregnant.
Some may say it is generally considered safe to whiten your teeth during the second trimester of pregnancy. Some experts recommend that you should avoid teeth whitening during pregnancy due to the unknown possibility of increased risk of birth defects. Especially since it is an elective aesthetic procedure that does not impact your oral health.
It is still best to consult with both your dentist and obstetrician before undergoing any dental treatment, especially teeth whitening during pregnancy. Every person and every pregnancy is unique. Your medical and dental professional will help you make an informed decision.
However, it is important to note that some women may experience increased sensitivity and discomfort while using teeth whitening during pregnancy due to hormonal changes in the body.
Safe Ways to Brighten Your Smile While Pregnant
Even though the safety of using teeth whitening while pregnant is debatable, there are still ways you can improve the look of your smile. Oral health is also very important to the health of the mother and baby.
A mother’s oral health is connected to their babies health in many ways. It comes down to the bacteria’s ability to travel in the bloodstream. This bacteria is linked to the production of the chemical Prostaglandins and can trigger preterm labor.
A common problem during pregnancy is Pregnancy Gingivitis. Hormonal changes can lead to increase bacteria activity in the mouth affecting bleeding and inflammation levels in the gums. Inflamed gums can change the look of your smile.
Safe ways to brighten your smile and improve your oral health during pregnancy are:
- Daily brushing and flossing are very important for removing daily food, plaque, bacteria, as well as stain. An electric toothbrush will be more efficient in keeping the teeth white.
- Whitening toothpaste can be used by pregnant women as they contain mild whitening agents such as baking soda and peroxide that can help remove surface stains on teeth. However, it is important to consult with your dentist and obstetrician before using any whitening toothpaste during pregnancy.
- See your dental hygienist for a professional cleaning. Your dental hygienist will remove any stubborn stains and will be able to polish your teeth for a bright, clean look.
- Check out our Breaking Down the Dental Cleaning Appointment for more information.
- Avoid or minimize foods that contain high levels of stains like berries, juices, tomato-based sauces, and curries with colorful seasonings.
- When drinking staining beverages, use a straw so the staining liquid bypasses the front teeth.
- Drinking plenty of water throughout the day and after eating or drinking staining foods can help clean off the teeth and neutralize bacteria in the mouth.
Before using any new product, it’s always best to consult with your dentist and obstetrician to determine the best course of action for you.
For additional information on how pregnancy and oral health is connected, check out our article A Guide to Pregnancy and Oral Health.
Teeth Whitening While Breast Feeding
Similar to teeth whitening while pregnant, there are no concrete studies about teeth whitening while breastfeeding. Whitening your teeth while breastfeeding is generally considered safe, but it is still best to consult with both your dentist and pediatrician before undergoing any treatment.
It is important to note that certain whitening products or methods may not be recommended while breastfeeding due to the risk of ingesting the whitening agents by the nursing baby. If you choose to use a whitening product, It’s important to follow the instructions carefully and avoid overuse.
Can You Get Teeth Whitening While Pregnant?
As stressed before, there are no concrete studies answering the question ‘can you get teeth whitening while pregnant’ and if it’s safe for you and your baby. Always consult all your medical and dental professionals before trying new products. These professionals include your dentist, obstetrician, and pediatrician.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you whiten your teeth when you're pregnant?
Due to the discrepancies if teeth whitening while pregnant is safe or not, it’s best to avoid this cosmetic procedure. Ways to brighten your smile that are considered safe by the manufacturers include using teeth whitening toothpaste, using good oral hygiene practices, and using an electric toothbrush. Also, see your dental hygienist for a professional dental cleaning to help remove stubborn stains. Always consult your medical and dental professionals before using new products.
Can you use teeth whitening toothpaste while pregnant?
Most manufacturers state on their website that their tooth whitening toothpaste is safe to use while pregnant. It’s very important to not swallow any of the toothpaste and rinse with water after use. Always consult your dentist, obstetrician, and pediatrician before using the teeth whitening toothpaste to ensure its safety.
Take Home Smile Store
Visit our Take Home Smile store for educational brochures and other fun printables to help with oral hygiene. All products can be customized to fit your dental needs.
