Would you get a brace while pregnant?

[Theknittinggorilla]

I am really keen to have my teeth straightened. It's bothered me for ages and I have recently decided to just do it. I need to have a fixed brace for 6 months.

However I have just found out I am 6 weeks pregnant. There is no medical reason I can't have the brace while being pregnant, and part of me thinks I might as well go the whole hog and be fat, unattractive and uncomfortable at the same time, rather than wait until after I have the baby and have to start the whole brace thing then. Or am I being crazy to add more potential discomfort during what will be a tough 8 months (I have two dc already and had awful back pain and ligament pain in my last pregnancy.

Has anyone done this? What do you think?

Id say go for it now. Whilst I was still younger when I had them, I couldn't have my braces until 16 - 18, and I'd say better to get them on and done now without the risk of a little person head butting you in the mouth and causing you pain!

By the time the babies out you'll be fabulous and glowing!

Have your dentist and ortho said it would be fine medically? Pregnant women get free dental because the hormones cause changes so it is worth checking if you haven't already. If they say it is fine then I think I would.

I would prob go for it, just consider what it would be like if you are throwing up or have a super sensitive gag reflex, braces might not be a lot of fun.
This time I thought I was immune to morning sickness until it hit me at 9 weeks

No I wouldn't just because my brace made my saliva glands go in to overdrive and that plus nausea would be awful

The problem with doing this while you are pregnant, is that the ligaments around your teeth soften like all the others in your body, so your teeth will likely move very easily, but may not stay put once the job is finished. It's probably worth having a chat to your orthodontist, but I wouldn't get your hopes up. You could end up spending an awful lot of money and not getting a good outcome.

That's a good point tea. I had awful nausea with dc2 but not too bad so far with this one, though it is early days. Orthodontist said no medical issue. I'm going to check with my usual dentist next week. Am just thinking its going to be a rubbish 8 months anyway might as well pile it all in, then when (last!) baby arrives I can get fit and in shape and have lovely straight teeth!

I agree good idea to spend what will be an uncomfortable time 20% more uncomfortable and get it all over with. That's what I'd do.

But couch potato's point is a good one, I'd check that out first.

Also your teeth sometimes get quite sensitive in early pregnancy so watch out for that too.

That's some thing to ask about couchpotato. I'm going to get a second opinion/quote so will bring that up, thank you.

I had my braces on as a teenager, but found that in the early stages they really limited what I could eat. If you go for it whilst pregnant (and I totally get your logic!) do be careful about nutrition etc

Lots of orthos/dentists won't do it whilst you're pregnant for various reasons. My sister refused to do mine or send me to anyone she knew who could do a brace whilst I was pregnant she said wait until afterwards so I did!

I wouldn't because I needed painkillers with my brace but you can't use ibuprofen in pregnancy and while paracetamol is ok I'd be reluctant to put myself in a position of needing it regularly.

Also as you already know you'll be prone to gum disease when pregnant which when having a brace increases your risk of losing a tooth, I'm sure you'd rather wait then possible lose a tooth!

I'd wait till the sickness was over then go for it. Currently have a brace and am pregnant, if anything it has meant the teeth move easier so the treatment has been faster and less painful.

I had a lingual brace while pregnant and it was fine. My teeth are still straight (I have a nighttime retainer but a bit lazy about it) and a permanent wire behind front teeth. I didn't lose a tooth (that's very old fashioned!) and my ortho said they see loads of pregnant ladies.

I have braces and am pregnant but I'm sure you're not calling anyone other than yourself unattractive for having a brace

In all honesty I wouldn't want to have gone through the start of this whole thing pregnant, lots of it is gag-making when they put the gum in your mouth, plus I have to go to the orthodontist every six weeks which alongside going to antenatal appointments is going to be pretty disruptive to my work.

teeth don't have ligaments!
But hormonal changes do affect the gums