Can You Have Your Teeth Whitened During Pregnancy?

You had intentions of having your teeth professionally whitened at the dentist, but you have discovered that you are expecting a baby. Naturally, being pregnant means anything you are exposed to could have the potential to harm the growing child. So, is teeth whitening during pregnancy safe for the baby? Here is a look at a few things to consider.

Optional whitening procedures may not be best during pregnancy.

The general rule in dentistry for a pregnant woman is to only perform the basic care or care that is absolutely necessary. In other words, only procedures that do not involve additional medications and chemicals should be performed unless there is an emergency. Professional whitening procedures will involve the use of chemicals, and some of these chemicals can potentially be absorbed in your mouth or ingested and reach the baby. Even though research has not yet established that these chemicals can cause a growing baby any harm, they also have not established that they don’t. Therefore, it is better to wait until after the baby comes to have your teeth whitened.

What about at-home whitening kits?

At-home whitening kits often contain the same ingredients as what is used at the dentist but the ingredients are not as potent. Therefore, even at-home whitening kits should likely be avoided until you have your baby.

Alternative ways to get a brighter smile while pregnant.

If you are really bummed that you can’t get your teeth whitened while you are pregnant, you should know that there may be a few things you can do to remove stubborn stains and get a whiter, brighter smile before the baby is born that will be safe. For example, some dentists use halogen light to perform whitening services without the use of the whitening gel. You can also bust some stubborn stains by brushing your teeth with baking soda or using a whitening toothpaste.

Talk to Us About Dental Care During Pregnancy

Taking good care of your teeth is always important, but pregnancy can bring about a few extra concerns. If you are pregnant and need advice on taking care of your teeth, reach out to us at Fishinger Dental to schedule an appointment.