Toothpaste during pregnancy...?

Question

I'm 15 Weeks pregnant, and toothpaste makes me gag every morning. Sometimes it makes me vomit too. Like this morning. :o(
I've switched to the vanilla mint crest. Thats not as bad as the really minty stuff. I also use mouthwash before I brush too. That doesn't effect me at all.

Have you experienced this during your pregnancy? Also, do you have any suggestions as far as different brands that may not be as harsh?

Thank you!

Answer 1

You might want to experiment with children's toothpastes. They come in some much easier to handle flavors :)

Answer 2

Another "brushing my teeth makes me gag," here. Never had the slightest problem with it before; have been unable to comfortably brush much at all since early on... I'm almost as far along as you, and not experiencing any "Nausea lessens in the 2nd trimester" miracles, either.

It seems to be

(a) reasonably common, or at least not at all uncommon
(b) one of those things that most people will just give you a funny look over

Tom's of Maine makes some interesting flavours -- apricot, among others, I believe. Doesn't foam much, either.

The most useful things have been:

-- a Sonicare. $$$, but worth it. You barely have to move it around; it really lessens the gagging. The slight buzzing is also a good distraction. Really, that and a humidifier have been worth-every-penny pregnancy lifesavers.

-- ditching the toothpaste, and just dipping the brush in mouthwash.

Are you sure it's the paste, and not the brushing? If you can eat a breath mint without problems, fiddle with more with the brush and less with the paste.

Answer 3

I think my problem with toothpaste was the feeling of the foam sitting around my molars and the back of my tongue for too long. I never actually vomited, but I had some pretty intense dry-heaves a couple times. A few people suggested baking soda toothpaste, but I didn't find that it helped any.

I did bring it up to my dental hygienist and she said that brushing with plain water for a few extra strokes would often clean your teeth just as well as using toothpaste. So if you can stand the brush by itself for a few more seconds a day, try that, and if you need fresh breath, use the mouthwash that you said doesn't bother you. And don't forget to floss.

That's one of the catches about pregnancy, dental hygiene is very important, but it can wreak havoc on your senses.

Answer 4

Tasteless Toothpaste

Answer 5

That one is a toughy. Some people crave it and you hate now that your pregnant. I would suggest using more mouthwash to get rid of plaque. I found a website that says Gagging can often occur whilst brushing your teeth. If this makes you feel sick, try to concentrate on your breathing as you clean the back teeth. Brushing without toothpaste can also help but return to using fluoride toothpaste as soon as possible.
The site has some other useful information you might be interested in also.

Answer 6

I had the same exact problem. What I found that helped was not brushing too far back on your tongue or in your mouth and I ended up using the arm and hammer brand of toothpaste since it was very mild. Just so you know this subsided in me around the 4th month along with my morning sickness. Hope this helps and best wishes for an easy pregnancy.

Answer 7

Yup. I've had it with both my pregnancies. However, by this time in my first pregnancy I had gotten over toothpaste, but this time it's still hanging around. I had to change my toothpaste, use less of it, and brush for short spurts 3/4 times a day instead. I just can't handle it...I don't know why it is...

Answer 8

Crest has come out with a new toothpaste called ProHealth and it's very mild. I'm not positive of the flavors but the one I use is cinnamon.

With luck your nausia and gag reflex will settle as you get further into your pregnancy. Hope you and your baby stay happy and healthy!

Answer 9

Toothpaste makes me gag EVERY morning...it was ten times worse when I was pregnant...

Steer clear of any mouthwashes that have alcohol in them...

I have found that the milder flavored pastes and washes seem to have a less violent affect on me in the morning...

I actually tried a lemon one ...I can't remember who makes it but it's common brand they sell it at the market and I thought it would be nasty...but it wasn't bad at all...and it was so mild...it really helped to keep me from yarking all over the bathroom sink when I was preggo.. :)

Hope this helps!!

Congratulations!!

Answer 10

I just used baking soda and peroxide. The minty stuff makes me gag even when I am not pregnant and morning sickness made it a million times worse.

Answer 11

I never experienced this, but every pregnancy is different. Colgate and Crest have come up with a children's line of toothpaste that come in different flavors. The "fun flavor" is bubblegum (never figured out why they call it "fun"). Good luck finding one you like.