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Oral hygiene during pregnancy – “I am currently 12 weeks pregnant and have been told I need to step up my oral hygiene routine but everytime I brush my teeth I gag and many times it makes me throw up – any tips for brushing without gagging?”

Posted by Anon, 19/03/13

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  • I really struggled with this too. A friend recommended that I brush my teeth whilst in the shower and it helped heaps.


  • Use a soft tooth brush


  • It may be the toothpaste itself making you gag – brushing is the important bit so try without any toothpaste. You can then use mouth wash.
    Don’t brush your teeth after being sick if you are, just rinse with water or mouth wash


  • Is it the toothpaste that’s putting you off? Have you considered just using the brush with no toothpaste? Maybe gargle with Listerine after


  • Have you tried mouthwash and flossing?
    Then maybe try brushing again a little later in the pregnancy when things settle down a bit


  • I was the same I gagged with both of my pregnancies whilst brushing which made my routine not the best and now my teeth are not in the best shape. I just used to make brushing my teeth in the shower so whilst gagging if I vomited it was not going to make a big mess


  • I have never heard of this problem before. Maybe try a different toothpaste? Or a mouthwash?


  • hope you solved your problem


  • Hope you managed to get over the gagging response.


  • Sometimes they say if you are thinking about gagging too much then you tend to do it, try thinking about something else whilst you brush.


  • How did you go with your brushing?


  • Try brushing without tooth paste a dentist told me its more about the brushing. The a mouth wash even it you water it down.


  • I hope you’re handling it better now, you must be almost due, if bub hasn’t already arrived


  • This can be hard, I had the same problem, especially during my second pregnancy. I found it was worse when I stood in front of the mirror and watched myself brush. I would put a small bit of toothpaste on then walk around while I brushed them, distraction seemed to help, as well as spitting frequently and quickly. I found if I had too much toothpaste in my mouth, or lent over the sink for too long I’d gag.


  • Was this only since u became pregnant?


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