Just because you’re expecting, doesn’t mean you don’t want to look your best. Even so, you should be aware of the facts before you attempt to have your teeth whitened. The British Dental Association says that it is safe to have your teeth whitened if it is done by a trained dental professional even if you are pregnant.

“There is no evidence that the whitening solution is harmful to pregnant or nursing mothers but the general advice during pregnancy is to avoid any unnecessary potential hazards.” Carmel McHenry, from the BDA, said.

In fact since 2012 it is illegal for anyone to perform a teeth whitening procedure except a registered dentist, dental hygienist or dental therapist on the prescription of a dentist. There are also laws in the UK preventing teeth whitening treatments from being carried out on women who are pregnant of breast feeding.

It is good to ask is teeth whitening safe in pregnancy although the risk is very small, because it is better to wait until afterwards for safety’s sake. If you have an urgent need to whiten your teeth during pregnancy then it is better to rely on whitening toothpastes. Toothpastes are safe to use because they’re mainly stain-reducing rather than truly whitening and do not rely on bleaching agents.

There is no evidence that teeth whitening while pregnant can harm your baby but safety legislation is put in place anyway because it is better to be safe than sorry. If you had your teeth whitened and did not realise you were pregnant at the time, then you need not be concerned. It is very unlikely that the chemicals used on your teeth could have any effect on your unborn child. Get in touch with us for a free consultation if you would like to learn more.