Is teeth whitening safe during pregnancy?
Quick answer
Is teeth whitening safe during pregnancy?
As a precaution, dentists advise postponing teeth whitening until after pregnancy and breastfeeding.
There is no strong evidence it harms a baby, but peroxide gels have not been tested in pregnancy trials, so waiting is the professional consensus. Routine care is different and important: examinations (£52 at York House Dental Practice in West Byfleet), hygiene visits and any necessary fillings are safe, ideally completed in the second trimester.
Is dental care safe during pregnancy?
Pregnancy hormones make gums more reactive to plaque — pregnancy gingivitis is common enough that hygienist visits matter more, not less, while you are expecting. If you have NHS access, dental treatment is free during pregnancy and for 12 months after the birth with a maternity exemption certificate; privately, a hygiene visit at £77 keeps pregnancy gingivitis in check. Morning sickness brings its own risk: rinse with water after being sick and wait 30 minutes before brushing.
What about dental treatment and X-rays while pregnant?
Necessary treatment should not wait either. A filling or an infected tooth poses more risk to you and the baby than the local anaesthetic used to treat it, and X-rays, when needed, are taken with a protective apron — see are dental X-rays safe for the detail. Emergency problems can be seen from £78.
When can you whiten your teeth?
For whitening, the efficient route is planning: have your examination and hygiene now, and whiten from Boutique (£425) or Enlighten (£635) once feeding has finished. If a dark tooth or new sensitivity appears during pregnancy, book a check-up — that is worth investigating at any stage.
Care at York House Dental Practice
Welcoming new patients, families and emergency appointments from West Byfleet, Woking, Weybridge, and across Surrey.
Last reviewed: by Dr Kaveet Patel, Principal Dentist
