Not enough data is available to prove that teeth whitening during pregnancy is safe. Most dentists and health professionals recommend that pregnant women wait until after pregnancy to have their teeth whitened. Instead, pregnant women should see their dentists for regular cleanings and advice, and practice healthy dental habits to keep teeth white.
Types
Dentists use several professional teeth whitening processes, including bleaching with peroxide and microabrasion. Most whitening kits, such as strips and gels, use a peroxide bleaching process as well. According to dentistry professor Yiming Li, the bleaching process that peroxide causes can harm cells, but sufficient studies have not been performed to determine whether this process can affect a developing fetus. Likewise, microabrasion's safety for pregnant women has not been sufficiently studied.
Time Frame
Many dentists recommend waiting until after pregnancy, and breastfeeding if applicable, before whitening teeth to avoid any possible side effects. Dentists who are willing to provide teeth whitening during pregnancy often recommend waiting at least until after the first trimester, when the developing baby will be less vulnerable to chemicals. Women who plan on having several children may want to use time between pregnancies to undergo teeth whitening treatments.
Prevention/Solution
Pregnant women concerned about the whiteness of their teeth should avoid smoking or drinking wine, especially since these activities can have a seriously negative impact on the pregnancy, and both can stain teeth. Coffee, tea and dark fruits can also stain teeth, particularly for those who don't brush soon afterward. Pregnant women can also eat fruits and vegetables such as apples, pears, celery and carrots, which can have a natural cleansing affect on teeth. Chewing sugarless gum can also help keep teeth clean.
Considerations
Since whitening toothpastes generally contain significantly fewer bleaching agents than strips or professional treatments, women who really want to whiten teeth during pregnancy can consider them. They should avoid swallowing any toothpaste, and rinse thoroughly afterward to minimize any impact on the baby. As with any other over-the-counter or professional treatment, pregnant women should ask their dentist or doctor before trying anything that may not be safe during pregnancy.
Expert Insight
Most health care professionals allow, and even encourage, women to receive regular dental care and cleanings throughout pregnancy. Women who notice significant tooth discoloration may want to consult a dentist to rule out or treat any problems that may be causing it, rather than trying home teeth whitening products. Until teeth whitening treatments and bleaching are proven safe, most dentists will continue to recommend that women avoid them during pregnancy.
Tags: teeth whitening, during pregnancy, until after, after pregnancy, bleaching process, home teeth