Teeth brushing and sickness

[GnTplease]

I'm 14weeks and still suffering with morning sickness...and it's a massive struggle to brush my teeth without vomiting. As soon as the brush hits the back of my mouth I start heaving. I'm using mouthwash but terrified my back teeth will rot - also dreading a dentist appt because even the thought of their hands in my mouth is making me gag. Anyone managed to get over this? Any tips? Will it just fade?

[liquidrevolution]

Mine didn't sadly as had morning sickness all through pregnancy but you may be lucky. Try dry brushing and make sure you floss every day in the meantime.

[Gaelach]

It faded for me around 16/17 weeks thankfully - fingers crossed for you that it goes soon!

[GnTplease]

@liquidrevolution oh you poor thing. I will try to floss, I assumed it would have the same effect as brushing but worth a go - thank you!

[Purplepjs]

I had hyperemesis with my first pregnancy. I couldn’t brush my teeth at all for the first 5 months and then only with kids toothpaste. And the only drink I could tolerate was coke! And was vomiting. A lot!!

But I went to the dentist after pregnancy and miraculously no damage at all!! Just do what you can do and try not to worry. Obviously my situation wasn’t ideal, but you can only manage what you can manage.

Hope things improve quickly for you.

[Tawdrylocalbrouhaha]

I had this all the way through. My only solution was to brush as soon as I got up (so an absolutely empty stomach) and then brush through the heaving and retching. The longer I brushed the more the heaving subsided, but it was still pretty grim.

Also I have to say even after giving birth it persisted for a while, although less strongly.

[Ploppymoodypants]

Had the same and I did indeed rot my back teeth. Non brushing coupled with round the clock vomming ruined them.

However if only I knew then what I know now! The followings things I discovered helped (but I only realised about 12 weeks in).

Use a strawberry or bubblegum flavour toothpaste (avoid mint).
Use one of those little finger puppets you can get to clean baby’s teeth with rather than a brush
Floss
Mouth wash

This might just see you through.

Good luck, hope you feel better soon. And congratulations on your pregnancy.

[GnTplease]

@Gaelach oh I hope so! It tricked me at 11 weeks and I thought it was gone 5 days of no sickness and minimal nausea...then bam right back to square one! If I get told to eat ginger biscuits one more time...

[susiegrapevine]

Hmm i would say its the floride on the teeth thats important so if not able to brush and you just use your finger to rub the toothpaste on your teeth? Feel for you tho i was the same but it faded with both my pregnancies around 20 wks. My teeth are fine

[queenofkale]

I had HG for all of my pregnancy.

I remember tooth brushing being hell the things that worked for me were

• a non foaming tooth paste (one of the sensitive ones will try and remember the name)
• delaying brushing until a different time of day and just using mouthwash first thing. Not ideal I know but it was better to get two brushes in.

I was also told not to brush after vomiting because this can actually worsen erosion.

for you because it's absolutely shit!

[GnTplease]

Thank you all I really appreciate the replies - I don't have hyperemesis thankfully (I honestly don't know how you all dealt with that, absolute superwomen!) but the toothbrushing is horrific all times of day or night not just the morning when I'm usually at my worst. I'll try out some of these tips and fingers crossed they save my poor neglected teeth!

[PeachesandPie]

you have my sympathy OP, I had this problem for most of my pregnancy and it was shit. I was usually sick in the sink half way through which was grim. Things that helped me were brushing my teeth after I'd been sick, only using an electric toothbrush and spitting a lot and not using toothpaste. I figured it was better to clean my teeth just with water than not at all. I had to have one filling after dc was born but no lasting damage.

Hope it improves for you soon.

[RosieCotton]

I'm 23 weeks and still vomiting every morning. As soon as the toothpaste hits my teeth I'm wretching, unfortunately I have a real phobia of vomited coupled with HG has made my life hell.

Only thing I have found is drinking a pint of water as soon as I wake. Sounds silly I know but its much easier to throw up water than stomach acid for me. I basically drink my water throw up brush ad fast as I can throw up, weep and hope for the best.

[OrangeHorses]

I had this, I got used to being sick everytime I cleaned my teeth eventually 🤦‍♀️ I'd just say be careful because I used to brush my teeth again straight after being sick and that has f**ked my teeth now, they are so hideously sensitive ☹️ The dentist recommended mouthwash instead after being sick so you don't brush the top layer away with the stomach acid.

[brewsandbooks]

I was sick all the way through but I bought a child's tooth brush and it did help somewhat

[RocketPockets]

I was sick the whole way through and brushing my teeth was so difficult! I normally didn't do it in the morning I'd wait until I was feeling ok and brush really gently and use mouthwash and floss. I also chewed gum, this was one of the things that actually helped my nausea and heartburn!

[Spanneroo]

I second switching to a non-mint toothpaste and a baby finger brushy thing OR a little tiny baby toothbrush.

for you OP. Morning sickness is shite!