There is a lot of talk about pregnancy care and, amidst so much information, many women end up avoiding various things out of fear, especially related to aesthetics. Regardless of the reason, it is important to know that not all aesthetic treatments are recommended for pregnant women, and today we are going to clarify whether a pregnant woman can have teeth whitening. The concern for appearance is present during pregnancy for many women, and this is already clear to many specialists. Still, there are many doubts about what really is or isn’t harmful to a woman during this period. It is widely known that we should visit the dentist at least once every six months for routine checkups, and for pregnant women this shouldn’t be different. But not all types of treatments are recommended for these women, even though there are some controversies. Teeth whitening is one of them, but to understand why this controversy exists, we need to talk about the types of teeth whitening available.

Types of Teeth Whitening

There are basically two types of teeth whitening that can be done: the one done at home, with professional supervision, and the one done at the dentist’s office. Both types of whitening produce very similar results, but they have some differences between them that we will discuss for better understanding.

At-home Whitening

At-home teeth whitening is done using a tray made by your dentist. From there, a gel needs to be applied daily and the tray is worn so the gel can take effect. The results from this type of teeth whitening are slower than those done at the dentist’s office, but they do appear all the same.

In-office Whitening

In-office teeth whitening is performed with a laser and a more concentrated gel, which makes the results appear much faster than with at-home whitening. The session is usually a single appointment and lasts about an hour, although in some cases more than one session may be needed to complete the treatment.

Are There Risks if a Pregnant Woman Whitens Her Teeth?

Once we understand how the two types of teeth whitening are performed, we can explain whether a pregnant woman can have teeth whitening, if there are risks, and what those risks are. The truth is that there aren’t enough studies to prove that undergoing this type of whitening really affects any aspect of a woman’s pregnancy, but the general recommendation is that pregnant women should not undergo either type. This is because pregnancy itself already causes various hormonal changes in a woman, which ends up making her teeth more sensitive. The oxidation process, which makes the teeth whiter, also has the potential to be harmful to the formation of the baby’s cells and tissues, and for this reason, when asking both your obstetrician and dentist whether a pregnant woman can have teeth whitening, the answer is clear: NO

And After Giving Birth?

For the same reasons, it is also recommended that a woman avoids any whitening process right after giving birth. The first and most important reason is that the chemicals may affect breastfeeding, and although there are no studies proving any harm, there also aren’t any confirming absolute safety. For this reason, dentists and doctors recommend that a woman only undergoes a teeth whitening treatment after her baby is weaned. Since it is a purely aesthetic procedure and not urgent, this is the best way to stay safe and avoid any risks, both for yourself and for your baby. Although there are many aesthetic concerns for many pregnant women, it is important to know what is or is not recommended so that there are no consequences for either the woman or the baby. That’s why, when doubts like whether a pregnant woman can have teeth whitening arise, it is important to do research and read thoroughly on the topic before taking any action. Being aware of this is important not only to learn the recommendations from specialists but also to understand the potential risks involved in such treatments. Do not rule out the possibility of visiting your doctor, who will certainly be able to accurately indicate all types of treatments that are or are not recommended for you. Check Also: Toothache During Pregnancy: What to Do? How to Relieve? Photo: Kjerstin_Michaela