Can you get braces while pregnant?

Page updated October 22, 2026.

Pregnancy doesn't rule out braces or Invisalign, but it changes how you look after your teeth and gums during treatment. Research so far hasn't found harm to mother or baby from orthodontic treatment, although most of it comes from animal studies (Zhao et al., Reprod Biol Endocrinol). The practical issues are gum health, X-rays, pain relief and timing. Here is what the evidence says, and what to agree with your obstetrician and orthodontist.

Is it safe to have braces while pregnant?

The best summary of the research is a 2024 review of how pregnancy and breastfeeding hormones interact with orthodontic treatment. It found that applying orthodontic force may cause stress responses that change hormone levels, but that these changes don't appear to harm the mother or fetus, and there are no reports of adverse effects (Zhao et al., Reprod Biol Endocrinol). The authors stress a limit: most of the data come from rodent studies that can't be directly applied to people, so the findings should be treated with caution (Zhao et al., Reprod Biol Endocrinol).

Dental care in general is safe and recommended during pregnancy, according to Cleveland Clinic (Cleveland Clinic). Braces themselves don't involve medication or surgery. What needs planning is around them: the records appointment, gum health and comfort.

How pregnancy affects your teeth and gums

• Gums. Rising estrogen and progesterone increase blood flow to the gums and make them react more to plaque, which causes pregnancy gingivitis (Cleveland Clinic). Symptoms can start in the first trimester and often get worse in the second or third, and gums typically return to normal after the birth (Cleveland Clinic)
• Loose teeth. Pregnancy increases tooth mobility, with the highest mobility in the third trimester (Zhao et al., Reprod Biol Endocrinol). Align says higher hormone levels can loosen teeth temporarily (Invisalign.com)
• Morning sickness. Stomach acid can wear away enamel (Invisalign.com), and frequent vomiting is a risk factor for pregnancy gingivitis (Cleveland Clinic)
• Bone. Hormone changes during pregnancy and breastfeeding affect bone remodeling, which is how teeth move; the review says treatment in these periods should take bone density, force levels and the gap between visits into account (Zhao et al., Reprod Biol Endocrinol)

Braces make cleaning harder, and plaque left on the teeth during treatment can cause white spots (AAO). With gums already more sensitive, that's the main reason to be strict about brushing and flossing.

Starting braces vs continuing treatment

If you're already in braces when you become pregnant, tell your orthodontist so they can plan around it; Align advises that your obstetrician and orthodontist work together (Invisalign.com). If you haven't started, the choice is about timing as much as safety:

Pregnancy doesn't change what treatment costs: braces typically run $3,000 to $7,000 for metal and $4,000 to $7,000 for clear aligners (CareCredit). If you plan to wait, a consultation now can still give you a quote and a plan.

Invisalign while pregnant

Align, which makes Invisalign, calls it a safe and convenient option for most pregnant people, and advises talking to your obstetrician if you have concerns (Invisalign.com). It says its aligners are made from BPA-free thermoplastic (Invisalign.com). These are the maker's own statements.

Aligners have practical upsides in pregnancy: you take them out to eat and to brush and floss (AAO), so cleaning your teeth is easier than with brackets. The downside is that they only work if worn at least 22 hours a day (AAO), which can be harder with nausea. After vomiting, rinse and clean your teeth before putting the aligners back, because aligners trap liquids against the teeth (AAO); Cleveland Clinic suggests a rinse of water and baking soda after vomiting (Cleveland Clinic).

X-rays and pain relief

Orthodontic records usually include X-rays. Tell your orthodontist you're pregnant: Cleveland Clinic says a lead apron is used to protect the fetus and your thyroid (Cleveland Clinic). Local anesthetics such as lidocaine are considered safe (Cleveland Clinic), though routine braces appointments rarely need them.

Braces are usually sore for a few days after they go on and after adjustments (AAO). Ask your obstetrician which pain relief to use. For aligner soreness during pregnancy, Align suggests ice packs or doctor-approved acetaminophen (Invisalign.com). Soft foods help too; see do braces hurt.

Looking after your teeth with braces during pregnancy

• Brush twice a day and floss once a day (Cleveland Clinic), taking extra care around brackets
• Cut back on sugary foods and drinks (Cleveland Clinic); the AAO suggests skipping or limiting sugary drinks such as sports drinks and soda during treatment (AAO)
• Keep your dental check-ups during pregnancy (Cleveland Clinic)
• Tell your orthodontist about bleeding gums or teeth that feel loose (Invisalign.com)

More in how to take care of braces.

Questions to ask your orthodontist

• Should I start now or after the birth, given my case?
• Can records and X-rays be planned around my pregnancy?
• How often will I need visits, and can late-pregnancy appointments be kept short?
• Would aligners or braces be easier to manage with morning sickness?
• Does the treatment plan change if I'm breastfeeding?