Does Wearing Braces Affect Lactating [Mothers]?

Last Updated on October 28, 2018

Does Wearing Braces Affect Lactating Mothers?

If you’re a lactating mother and would like to have your teeth straightened in the near future, you may be wondering about whether or not there are any adverse affects associated with wearing braces when breastfeeding your child. As you know, you need to be extra careful with every food and chemical you put into your body when breastfeeding, as the overall health of the baby is largely dependent on how good or otherwise your health is. Although the optimal way to learn about the effects of wearing teeth straightening appliances is to discuss this issue with your orthodontist, the following should clear up some of the worries you might have regarding your decision.

Why Breastfeeding is Important

In the months after giving birth, breastfeeding is essential to the overall health of the baby, as the milk contains all of the nutrients that a baby will need during their first six months as well as substances that assist in fighting the development of diseases. When a baby is breastfed, they are able to learn how to eat properly by eating until they are completely full, which helps to ensure that the child does not develop eating disorders later on.

When you nurse your baby, they will be less likely to develop a range of complications throughout their lives, from meningitis to standard infections. Babies who are breastfed are also believed to have a range of advantages when it comes to their intellectual levels, as I.Q. scores are typically higher among babies who are breastfed in comparison to ones who are fed by the bottle. While there are many other factors that play into the health of your child, breastfeeding can only help. When you want your child to be as healthy as they can be, breastfeeding is a wonderful option that will promote both the physical and mental health of the baby in question.

Benefits of Breastfeeding for the Mother

Although the primary benefits of breastfeeding apply to the baby, the mother also receives a variety of benefits, the primary of which is that mothers who go the route of breastfeeding are much less likely to experience postpartum depression. You should also be aware of the fact that breastfeeding is known to release a hormone that’s referred to as oxytocin, which helps with relaxation, something that every mother needs when dealing with the stress that comes with caring for a baby. Although there have yet to be any conclusive studies, breastfeeding is believed by scientists to reduce the risk of cancer in the mother. These are just a few of the many health benefits provided to you in the event that you decide to breastfeed your baby.

Does Wearing Braces Affect Lactating Mothers?

As a new mother, you’ve likely heard that you will need to avoid any food, drinks, or even medical produces that could adversely affect the baby when they are being breastfed. The belief that braces or Invisalign could negatively affect the baby is a commonly held one, but there’s no merit to it, as teeth straightening appliances such as Invisalign and other options are 100 percent safe to wear when lactating, as they don’t contain any substances or chemicals that could be harmful to the quality of the milk.

Some lactating mothers worry about the possibility of needing to take medications or anesthesia when having their teeth straightened, but it’s important to understand that the small amount of pain that you will go through when straightening your teeth is natural and does not require the usage of any additional medications. Once the wires and brackets have been placed around your teeth, you will likely experience some discomfort, but this lingering pain will dissipate over time. Depending on the type of teeth straightening appliance that you’re wearing, it’s possible that they will need to be tightened on occasion, which is another instance in which pain will occur. However, this pain is minimal and will usually go away within 24 hours.

If you’re experiencing more pain than you are comfortable with, visit your orthodontist immediately and they will be able to provide you with a soothing ointment that’s entirely safe and does not include any chemicals that would affect the milk. In order to avoid the pain that can come with metal brackets, you may want to consider the usage of Invisalign, as the plastic aligners will fit easily around your teeth and are simple to manage. Although there’s absolutely no reason to be worried about the health of your child when you’re wearing some type of teeth straightening application, the best way to ensure that you’re completely confident before having the procedure done is by asking these questions to a professional orthodontist, as they will be able to look at your entire medical history and answer any questions that you may have.