About Me

 It’s Never too Late to Straighten Your Smile

Braces as an adult? No way. At least, that was what I thought when my dentist told me that I was going to have to see an orthodontist about my crooked teeth. But my teeth were so misaligned that they were causing me pain when I chewed, so I decided to at least look into it. Turns out braces today are nothing like the ones my friends had when I was a kid. Mine were practically invisible, and I didn't need to wear them that long. I started this blog to encourage other people like me who are nervous about the prospect of wearing braces as an adult. My straight smile is so worth the trips to the orthodontist, and wearing braces was nowhere near as bad as I thought. Read on to find out more about how you can straighten your smile.

Latest Posts

Tags

It’s Never too Late to Straighten Your Smile

Pregnant And Need Braces? 3 Tips For Managing Orthodontic Treatment During Pregnancy

by Jacqueline Byrd

Your life has hit an exciting new phase. Not only are you looking forward to a brand new smile, but you will also be welcoming a little one to the world in a few short months. While many new moms have concerns about how their orthodontic treatment might impact their pregnancy, you can rest assured that you and your baby will remain perfectly safe. Pregnancy does, however, create a few minor challenges that you can easily overcome by talking to your orthodontist and using these three strategies.

Seek a Professional Opinion

There are many questions that arise during orthodontic treatment when you are pregnant, and it is important to openly communicate with your orthodontist, obstetrician, and dentist. For example, many women are concerned about dental x-rays during pregnancy. While the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has established that x-rays are safe and often needed during pregnancy, getting your doctor's approval will reassure you that you are doing the right thing.

Balance Your Busy Schedule

Prenatal visits require monthly trips to your doctor that increase in number as your pregnancy progresses. Orthodontic visits can also add up depending upon where you are in your treatment. Although it takes some effort to keep up with all of your appointments, each of these visits is important for you and your baby's health. Use a calendar or scheduling app to help you keep up with them all, and experiment with ways to make appointment days easier. For example, talking about what will be done at your next appointment helps you know how much time to allot for it on your calendar.

Guard Against Gum Disease

Pregnancy does increase the likelihood of developing gum disease, which means you will need to take precautions against gingivitis. Have your orthodontist show you how to effectively clean your braces and the surrounding teeth. Special techniques can be used for flossing around brackets and wires so that you can still reach your gum line. In addition to practicing proper oral hygiene, make sure to keep up with your regular dental exams and cleanings since your dentist can also help prevent you from developing pregnancy gingivitis.

Dealing with the combination of pregnancy and braces will definitely keep you busy, but the results of your dedication will be worth it when you flash that beautiful smile at your adorable newborn. By talking to your orthodontist about what to expect and practicing proper self-care, you can breeze through this phase in life with excitement about what the future will bring.

For more information and advice, talk with your doctor and a dentist, such as those at Reed & Sahlaney Orthodontics, LLP.

Share