Teeth brushing woes. Tips?

liz4paws · February 2014

Ever since 4dpt, I have had a very difficult time brushing my teeth without gagging. I figured it would subside with my other symptoms which thankfully the majority have by now since I'm 15w. But this teethbrushing gagging thing is so bad now that I gag until I throw up. That's the last thing I need to be doing when trying to brush teeth!

Anyone else run into this? When did it stop? and any tips for me? I try to brush the upper/inner teeth last because that seems to be the worst. I don't get why it's happening, but I'll do whatever it takes if it means I'm pregnant, but I'm starting to dread brushing my teeth in the morning, and it's not optional!

AlmostWright · February 2014

This happens to me too! It has gotten a lot better each week but what helped the most was a different toothpaste. The thick pastes made it much worse. I switched to Tom's which is thinner and doesn't feel stuck in my mouth so less gagging. Good luck!

zazu13 · February 2014

I had trouble with brushing my teeth, too. I haven't puked that much but when I did it was during first tri and mostly when brushing my teeth. I found I did best when I had a full stomach (after breakfast in the mornings) and didn't use too much toothpaste or water. I also lean over the sink so that nothing and drip backward, if that makes sense. Also, forget flossing. That was just way too gaggy sticking my hands back there. Thankfully, I've been fine since about 20 weeks. I even had a check up and some dental work done at 25w. Good luck!

BlueEyedDreamer · February 2014

This happened to me during first tri and into second tri. Honestly, I just tried to brush them as fast as possible and follow up with thorough flossing and a good scope/rinse, which didn't seem to trigger my gag reflex as much. I remember being annoyed that I was still occasionally puking from this around 17wks!! But it seemed to get better after that. I hope you feel better soon, liz!

ETA: I also highly recommend using the dental floss picks rather than shoving your hands in your mouth with regular floss. Definitely less gaggy.

auntjessy · February 2014

This was really bad for me, too - and it still happens most of the time, but it's not as bad as it was. I got so tired of puking in the sink every night before bed, then feeling sick going to lay down.

I tried at least 4 or 5 different toothpastes, same results. This may sound gross, but I put away toothpaste for awhile and brushed with Listerine. It helped, although you probably wouldn't want to admit it to anyone. Hope you feel better!

MJC1116 · February 2014

I think the other ladies have some really good suggestions! Wish I had asked earlier, too

I found that the size of my toothbrush was just too much. I went down to a youth sized brush head so that it didn't feel so overpowering. Like other ladies, I had to avoid any bubbly toothpaste and anything that was too strong of a flavor.

Around 20 weeks, I found that the postnasal drip from the pregnancy rhinitis would make me gag as I brushed my teeth, so I just tried to swallow a lot before I brush.

Good luck!

liz4paws · February 2014

AMAZING TIPS!!! Thank you so much!

2MamazInSeattle · February 2014

Liz,
My dentist swears by dry brushing - it's just what it sounds like. Use a dry brush like when you're just watching TV or something. Toothpaste is not necessary and she has done this her whole life, but says even if you use water/toothpaste, dry brushing is actually more effective at cleaning your teeth.

If you still want a minty thing, then swish with some non-flourinated mouthwash! Just an idea but this may make things better. For me it's the foamy toothpaste that makes brushing gross, not the toothbrush itself!

krdesi · February 2014

Brushing my teeth is still the most trying experience I have every day! I hate it! The second I put the toothbrush in my mouth, I start gagging. I try to brush slowly and gently just to get the teeth and then gargle with Listerine, hoping that will get rid of the germs I missed!

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