Moms and Malocclusion Pregnancy is a simultaneously beautiful and stressful time. There’s a lot to worry about, and potential risks associated with orthodontics canmake expecting parents hesitate to undergo orthodontic treatment during pregnancy. We’re here to answer some common questions parents-to-be have about orthodontics.
Should I tell my orthodontist about my pregnancy? Aside from the fact your orthodontist will surely want to congratulate you, a pregnancy can change the course of your treatment. Weight gain is common during pregnancy and may change the dimension of your face and mouth. Your orthodontist may need to take newmolds of your mouth, and if you use clear aligners, you may also need new trays to make sure your treatment proceeds correctly. Can the X-ray harmmy baby? While the low level of radiation from an X-ray is negligible and medically safe for an adult, radiation exposure can be harmful to an unborn fetus. For this reason, we do not preformX-rays on pregnant patients. This is another reason why you should inform your orthodontists about your pregnancy. You should still be able to continue your treatment without regular X-rays. Is it necessary to continue treatment duringmy pregnancy? You’ll likely have way less time after your pregnancy to keep up with your appointments. Continuing orthodontic treatment during pregnancy increases
the chance you’ll complete your course of treatment before the baby arrives. More than a cosmetic improvement, orthodontia can improve your overall health. Difficulty biting or chewing your food canmake it hard to eat enough nutrients. If you plan on breastfeeding, fixing your bite issues will help eat more nutrient- dense food, which translates into your supply of breast milk. If you have additional worries, please let your orthodontist know!We’re happy to answer questions, address concerns, and come up with a treatment plan that works best for you and your baby.
Take A Break
Squash and Sausage Soup
Ingredients •
• • • • • •
½ cup vegetable broth
2 acorn squash, halved 1 ½ pounds pork sausage 1 yellow onion, diced 1 garlic clove, minced ½ cup canned coconut milk
1 tablespoon smoked paprika ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper Salt and pepper, to taste 2 tablespoons fat of choice
• • • •
Pepitas, to garnish
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 415 F. 2. Cut acorn squashes in half and place on a baking sheet, open side down. 3. Bake for 20–25minutes until soft to the touch. 4. When acorn squash has about 10minutes left to cook, place large skillet over mediumheat, with 2 tablespoons of fat, minced garlic, and diced onions. 5. Once onions become translucent, add pork sausage to pan and use wooden spoon to break into pieces and cook until completely cooked through. 6. When acorn squash is roasted and soft, scoop squash out of skin with spoon and place into food processor. 7. Add coconut milk and broth to food processor. Puree until smooth.
8. Add smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper and puree until smooth. 9. Place pureed soup in a bowl, top with sausage, and sprinkle with pepitas.
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