I can't use toothpaste/mouthwash - so ashamed!

[VeryNotNormal]

Okay, this is a long story but, in a nut shell, I can't use toothpaste/tooth powder or mouthwash without gagging and occasionally vomiting. I'm not pregnant, I've had this problem literally since I was a kid.

It came about when my Dad decided to try me on the mintiest, strongest Colgate toothpaste when I was very little (can't remember how old exactly, but I remember the event only too well). I remember heaving and gagging and vomiting and it was absolutely terrible. I ended up only being able to brush my teeth with water (I think I tried salt at one point too which was okay but seemed pointless). I can't stand the smell or taste of mint or anything even vaguely minty. Just the smell makes me gag! I also have issues with stuff foaming in my mouth. I have issues at the Dentist with anything that tastes bad. I can't handle having my teeth cleaned because the tooth powder they use makes me gag. I also hate the taste of the injections and treatment, I am often sedated.

My teeth don't look awful (but they aren't lovely and white because I can't use whitening toothpaste). I don't have bad breath but my dentist bills are enormous (I'm private because I need sedation). I'm 30 and I've had three root canals already. Crappy teeth run in the family but mine are the worst.

I can use and do use Xylitol and Hydrogen Peroxide as a mouthwash but I have concerns about the HP because I've heard it can wear away tooth enamel and mine is surely weaker than most.

Am considering giving this a go, as I can leave out the mint and it hopefully won't foam:
wellnessmama.com/5252/remineralizing-tooth-powder-recipe/

I've ordered this just because it's not minty, although I've been putting off trying it because of the thought of gagging: www.amazon.co.uk/Eucryl-Smokers-Tooth-Powder-Original/dp/B001ECQRU0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1382859534&sr=8-1&keywords=tooth+powder

My cousin's daughter appears to have the same problem. She's been doing fine on the strawberry toothpastes but needs to move on up to the next kids toothpaste level and she's been gagging too. Seems to run in the family, what the hell is it?

My questions are:

• Has anyone else got this/heard of it?
• Does anyone have any suggestions?

I expect some of you to be horrified. I know it sounds utterly disgusting. I am filled with shame about it, so nothing you can say to me will make me feel any worse!

Don't feel bad. My problem is gagging too but Im ok with minty flavours. I'm sympathising with dental bills though as I'm a private patient too because I'm sedated as well. There's been some great ideas on here, so I have nothing to add except to say I hope you find something that helps

I just brushed with bicarb of soda and didn't gag AT ALL which is absolutely amazing!!! I've ordered the Oranurse toothpaste. Judging by the reviews it'll be perfect and I think it'll suit my cousin's daughter too.

I read up on the lush toothy tabs and I suspect they will be too foamy. They don't contain fluoride either.

Fantastic! Check with your dentist what the long term use effects would be for bicarbonate, I don't think there are any, but might be wrong.
I am so pleased for you!

The paradontax toothpaste I linked before tastes like pure bicarbonate. It has herbs in it, thyme and others. That's just for your info as a back up. :)

Thank you! I'm elated tbh. All the encouragement on here has helped so much, for me to feel brave enough to try stuff. Makes me realise I really should have said something before now...

you get baking soda toothpaste in the shops too - think Arm and Hammer do one. Maybe that could be an option too

I have used fennel and lemon toothpastes in the past. I got them from a homeopathic new agey place.

They weren't foamy either

I use Arm n hammer baking soda toothpaste as minty stuff is horrible and makes me gag. You get it in the pound shop, not too foamy at all. Give it a try, it's only a pound.

Found it

www.kingfishertoothpaste.co.uk/

Unfortunately since I attempted to soothe morning sickness with fennel tea, because mint made me gip, I now can't abide fennel.

Google homemade teeth whitening and you will get lots of simple recipes. I'm off to try the crushed strawberry and bicarbonate of soda paste one www.womenio.com on phone so can't link, sorry

Excellent, I shall bear those in mind! I've just e-mailed my dentist to ask if they have an understanding hygienist I could see about my problem...! :o

Oooh crushed strawberry and bicarb sounds good!!!

I use dawood and tanner (from delicious teeth)
They do foam, I don't like the lemon on but the lime one is lovely and non minty and doesn't burn like mint does

I can recommend a sonic toothbrush and the ultrasound toothbrushes are even better. The ultrasound one is called Emident.

There is also a mouthwash that isn't minty - Ultradex. I got mine in Waitrose. It comes with a sachet of mint to add to th bottle if you want to but it works as well without. I got for DS as he doesn't like mint either.

Phillips sonic toothbrush has small head and you don't use brushing technique just gently move the tooth brush around your teeth and gums. Use TePe interdental brushes between your teeth get your dentist to demonstrate them.
And its the brushing that cleans your teeth not the paste, but fluoride in the paste protects them so try a fluoride mouthwash. Colgate do a good one which is not minty or try a childrens mouthwash.

There's a toothpaste called Euthymol (not sure I've spelled it correctly) which definitely isn't minty. You can get it in health food shops. Not sure whether it foams up though.

I do oil pulling with coconut oil and it has whitened my teeth better than any whitening toothpaste I've tried. If you want to give it a go (and like the taste of coconut) then just try a small teaspoon and sloosh it back and forth in your mouth for as long as you can (up to 20 mins) and spit it into a bin (not down the sink/loo). It's great for gum and mouth health and breath too. It just feels liquidy, not foamy at all.

And please please don't feel ashamed or embarrassed. Glad you feel able to try new things out. I'm sure you'll find something that suits you and doesn't make you feel sick and gagging.

I'm going to read this with interest but in parts as I can't do toothy stuff too much. So apologies for not reading all first
I have a dentist phobia that is improving with great effort

For years I used kids toothpaste because anything else burns. I now manage using a basic Colgate but the tiniest amount at a time and just doing a small section at a time. For example tiny toothpaste top right outside. Rinse new tiny amount of toothpaste top right bite surface and so on. My mouth has 16 sections in my head.

Actually found that easier to read than I thought, maybe because it was mainly toothpastes and positive stuff

Thanks to this thread I am going to try a couple of the suggestions and try to get into normal tooth cleaning habits.

Please don't be ashamed, OP! Glad the bicarb tip helped you.

Mentadent P is another that is not minty.

I had a friend at uni who had a phobia of toothpaste that was triggered by the mint smell and taste.

She used this Spry Cinnamon Toothpaste

I've just seen it does not contain fluoride though. Is that a problem?

arm and hammer is salty.

I had to come back today and tell you that after just two uses the bicarb has made a HUGE difference! I keep smiling at myself in the mirror. It seems to have removed all the stains I couldn't get off with just water and vigorous brushing. I had used hydrogen peroxide as a mouthwash before but this has definitely had a much greater impact. I reckon in a week or two they'll be even better. I keep smiling at myself in the mirror, I'm just so chuffed! I had been considering getting my teeth whitened under sedation (for millions of pounds) but I don't think I'll need it now!!!!!! The bicarb is very salty but I really don't mind that.

TheWomanTheyCallJayne - I understand! I have to be careful what I read online so as not to freak myself out, but this is a very positive post and I'm so relieved to hear I'm not alone. I wish I'd spoken out about this before and I'm so glad you're benefiting too. I just figured I was beyond helping because all you ever see in supermarkets is the minty stuff. I feel less ashamed now for sharing, which is helping so much and I feel braver about going to see a hygienist now. I feel like I can actually explain to her my issue without literally dying of embarrassment. I'm so glad to know I'm not alone. I feel like this post has been life changing. No-one else in my life, including my closest friends and family, know about this issue. DH is the only one who knows.

I'm intrigued about the oil pulling, have heard a lot about that! I have organic coconut oil/butter at home, might give it a go! I love that everything that has been suggested so far is either free (I already have it) or very cheap. To think I was thinking of spending £500+ on teeth whitening (which probably wouldn't last)!!!

Will definitely give the Ultradex mouthwash a go! Anything that advertises itself as tasteless is a winner for me!

Thank you all SO SO MUCH. I may have a little happy cry now!!!

Aaah bless very I'm soo pleased that you are feeling positive now; the power of Mumsnet eh !!! I oil pull every other day or so with a light oil (argan or almond) you might find coconut a bit difficult.

I'm in awe right now tbh. I'd thought about posting on here a while ago but figured it'd be fruitless and that I'd get abuse. How wrong I was!!!!!!!!

hugs everyone