Can orthodontic treatment be done during pregnancy?
Pregnancy is not, on its own, a reason to stop ongoing orthodontic treatment. Many women wearing clear aligners or braces continue their treatment throughout pregnancy. Still, hormones, eating patterns and oral health change during this time. That is why your orthodontist decides how treatment will proceed, also taking your OB-GYN's recommendations into account. Non-urgent procedures such as X-rays, tooth extractions or mini-screws are usually postponed until after delivery.
On this page, we cover two situations separately: those who become pregnant while in treatment and those who are thinking of starting treatment while pregnant. In both cases the first step is the same: tell your orthodontist that you are pregnant or are planning a pregnancy in the near future. The information here is general; for your own situation, consult your own physician and orthodontist.
What should you do if you become pregnant during treatment?
Simply let the clinic know without waiting for your next checkup. There is no need to worry; you continue wearing your aligners or braces. Your orthodontist will reassess the following:
- What stage the treatment is at and how many aligners or checkups remain.
- Whether the plan includes procedures such as X-rays, tooth extractions or mini-screws (small anchorage screws placed in the jawbone), and whether these can be postponed.
- The condition of your gums and whether the interval between cleanings at your dentist should be shortened.
- Issues that affect your daily life, such as nausea, fatigue and appointment times.
For those wearing clear aligners, the aligner change routine often stays the same. With fixed braces, checkups continue; wire adjustments are short procedures that do not require anesthesia. Whether routine steps such as adding attachments (small grips bonded to the teeth) or light enamel reduction between teeth (IPR) will be carried out during this period is assessed individually.
Can a new orthodontic treatment be started during pregnancy?
There is no single rule that applies to everyone. Orthodontic treatment is planned, not urgent, treatment. For this reason, many orthodontists may prefer to postpone records and planning until after delivery rather than start a new treatment during pregnancy. Initial records usually include panoramic and cephalometric X-rays (what is a cephalometric X-ray?). X-rays used in dentistry are low-dose; still, postponing them during pregnancy in non-urgent situations is a common approach.
On the other hand, the examination and digital intraoral scanning are radiation-free methods. Intraoral scanners such as iTero capture images of the teeth using light and do not use X-rays. This makes it possible to have a preliminary consultation during pregnancy, assess your oral health and plan the timing of treatment together. The start date is decided jointly by your own physician, your OB-GYN and your orthodontist.
How does pregnancy affect the teeth and gums?
Hormone levels change during pregnancy, and the gums may become more sensitive to the layer of bacteria that builds up on tooth surfaces (dental plaque). Redness, swelling and bleeding gums when brushing are common; this condition is called pregnancy gingivitis. Because orthodontic appliances can make cleaning harder, oral care is more important than ever during this period. For general information, see our article on oral and dental health during pregnancy.
- Gum sensitivity: Swollen gums can cause a feeling of pressure at the edges of the aligner or bleeding around the brackets. Report prolonged or increasing bleeding without waiting for your checkup.
- A feeling of slight tooth looseness: It has been reported that the connective tissue surrounding the teeth may loosen during pregnancy. Some people feel slight movement in their teeth. This usually decreases after delivery, but your orthodontist needs to know.
- Nausea and vomiting: Stomach acid comes into contact with tooth enamel. If vomiting occurs while the aligner is in, acid may also remain inside the aligner.
- Eating patterns: You may need to eat small, frequent meals. This affects how many times a day the clear aligner is removed and put back in, and the total wear time.
Are clear aligners or braces more practical during pregnancy?
Both methods have aspects that make this period easier and aspects that make it harder. Which one suits you depends on the condition of your teeth and is assessed at the examination. For a general comparison, see our clear aligners vs. braces page.
- Clear aligners: Because they are removable, brushing and flossing are easier; this is a significant convenience for gum care. On the other hand, frequent snacking means removing and reinserting the aligner many times a day. If the aligner is not worn 20–22 hours a day, the teeth may not progress according to the plan.
- Fixed braces: You do not have to think about wear time; the braces are always in your mouth. However, food and bacteria build up more easily around the brackets, and cleaning swollen gums requires more care.
How should aligners be used during periods of nausea and frequent snacking?
- If you have vomited, remove the aligner and rinse your mouth with plain water. Because enamel softened by acid can be worn away by brushing, wait a while instead of brushing your teeth right away. Ask your dentist how long to wait and which oral care products you can use.
- Rinse and clean the aligner with lukewarm (not hot) water, then put it back in. Hot water can warp the aligner. For details, see our how to clean clear aligners page.
- If you need to eat often, try to group your meals so that the total time without aligners does not increase. Discuss your wear-time goal for this period with your orthodontist.
- Drink only plain water while the aligner is in. Have sugary, acidic or colored drinks with the aligner out, and rinse your mouth afterward.
- If brushing triggers nausea, a soft toothbrush with a small head and a mildly flavored toothpaste can make things easier.
What should you keep in mind about pain, medication and other dental treatments?
It is normal to feel pressure and tenderness for a few days when switching to a new aligner or after a wire adjustment. During pregnancy, consult your OB-GYN and your own physician before using any painkiller, mouthwash, gum gel or other medication; this page does not recommend any medication. To reduce tenderness, soft foods can be preferred in the first days, and you can switch to a new aligner in the evening so that the first hours are spent asleep.
If treatments that require local anesthesia, such as fillings or tooth extractions, are needed, your dentist will plan them with your OB-GYN's input. Most sources cite the second trimester as a more comfortable time for non-urgent dental treatment. For detailed information on this topic, you can read our article on tooth extraction during pregnancy.
How does treatment proceed after delivery and while breastfeeding?
Breastfeeding is generally not an obstacle to orthodontic treatment. Postponed X-rays and procedures can be planned after delivery; again, consult your doctor about any medication you will use during this period. With a newborn, sleep patterns are disrupted and it becomes easier to forget to wear your aligner. Tracking your aligner change days with phone reminders helps; you can use our aligner change schedule page for this. Our clinic's hours, Monday–Saturday 09:00–20:00, offer flexibility to arrange appointments around your baby's routine.
What should you tell your orthodontist at the examination?
- How many weeks pregnant you are and your estimated due date.
- Any specific warnings from your OB-GYN (e.g., high-risk pregnancy monitoring, advice not to lie on your back for long periods).
- The names of the vitamins and medications you take; bring them to your physician as a list.
- Complaints such as nausea, bleeding gums or a feeling of loose teeth.
- Appointment times and how long you can sit comfortably in the chair.
Our orthodontic checkup question list page may help you prepare for the examination. The basic principle of orthodontic decisions during pregnancy is simple: non-urgent procedures can wait, oral health cannot. Always consult your own physician and orthodontist about your own situation.