# Starting treatment or reviewing an existing plan

Pregnancy & orthodontics

Lesson 01 · Your plan

A first proposal and a pregnancy update during treatment begin from different places. The useful starting point is whether you are deciding about a proposed course or already have directions that need review.

General information and fictional examples support understanding. Your own clinicians determine personal care.

## What the orthodontic guidance answers

AAO advises discussing pregnancy with your medical practitioner and orthodontist before starting orthodontic treatment.

Source: [AAO: pregnancy and starting orthodontics](https://aaoinfo.org/resources/faqs/page/34/?amp=null)

## What the general dental guidance answers

ADA considers preventive, diagnostic and restorative dental care safe throughout pregnancy.

Source: [ADA: dental care during pregnancy](https://www.ada.org/resources/ada-library/oral-health-topics/pregnancy)

## A new proposal: understand the decision being offered

Fictional example: Casey is pregnant and is thinking about straightening crowded teeth. Casey has no orthodontic prescription and has not selected an appliance. The decision at this stage is how a proposed course would fit Casey's circumstances.

Casey's completed reading is: I am exploring treatment, rather than changing a plan already in progress. I need an explanation of the proposed goal, the relevant assessment and how my pregnancy information fits that discussion.

That reading resolves the starting point. Casey can compare the explanation with the goal that prompted the inquiry, instead of treating a device name or a consultation request as the treatment decision itself. The individual proposal remains for the clinicians to explain.


## An existing plan: identify the information that has changed

Fictional example: Alex already has aligners and a current set of directions. Alex has a new pregnancy update, and morning nausea is interrupting the routine. Alex has not received revised directions.

Alex's completed reading has three parts. The course already exists. Pregnancy and the interrupted routine are new information for the treating team. The present question is how that information affects the existing directions and follow\-up.

This is a review of an ongoing course, rather than a fresh choice of appliance. Alex can describe the actual barrier and identify the directions that need clarification. The example supplies no replacement wear schedule, tray change or decision to pause.

A useful message would therefore include the pregnancy update, the present directions and what is becoming difficult. Existing patients use the care route their treating team has already provided.


## Make the update concrete

MouthHealthy advises promptly sharing pregnancy stage and due date with the dental team, updating medicines, vitamins and supplements, and reporting a high\-risk designation.

Source: [MouthHealthy: pregnancy and dental health](https://www.mouthhealthy.org/life-stages/pregnancy/pregnancy-dental-concerns)

## Separate a routine barrier from a shared\-care question

If the difficulty is daily brushing, tenderness or nausea, the routine lesson explains the general dental information available now. If the difficulty is getting several clinicians' information into one understandable account, the coordination lesson shows a finished summary and how to read what remains pending.

- [Understand gums and daily routine](/gums-and-daily-routine)
- [Build an understandable care conversation](/coordinating-your-care)

## Keep exploring

- [Choose another lesson](/)
- [Practical general oral\-care information](/gums-and-daily-routine)
- [A completed shared\-care account](/coordinating-your-care)

[Visit details](/visit)

## Your individual next step

Discuss your orthodontic goal in person

[Request an in-person consultation](https://www.smile-fx.com/lp/free-consult/?utm_source=orthodontics-during-pregnancy&utm_medium=microsite&utm_campaign=smile-fx-guides)

For a new orthodontic conversation at SMILE\-FX® in Miramar. The team confirms the appointment and individual arrangements after your request.

[Call (954) 824-9707](tel:+19548249707)

Orthodontics during pregnancy

An educational guide from SMILE\-FX®, a full\-service orthodontic practice in Miramar, Florida.

Already in treatment? Send pregnancy updates and questions about your current directions through the care route your treating team has given you.

[About this guide & sources](/about-this-guide) · [Privacy](/privacy)