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Is Morning Sickness Ruining Your Teeth?

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Pregnancy & Dental Health: How Morning Sickness Affects Your Teeth

Congratulations on your pregnancy! You took a pregnancy test and now, only a few days later, you’re experiencing the dreaded morning sickness.

Unfortunately, morning sickness could be ruining your teeth or at the very least – be seriously affect your dental health.

Had no idea? You’re not alone! Dental health slips the minds of a lot of expecting moms.

Chances are pretty good, unless you work in dental health, this isn’t one of the first things you thought of while struggling through your morning nausea.

However, if you’re an expecting mom and you have thought about it, you might have had these questions:

  • Can morning sickness ruin my teeth?
  • Can being pregnant affect your teeth?
  • Does throwing up mess up my teeth?
  • Why does brushing my teeth make me feel nauseous?

One more tip: just because you’re not throwing up doesn’t mean your pregnancy won’t effect your teeth. If you’re snacking more frequently or during the night and not brushing afterwards, you could be putting yourself at a greater risk for ruining your teeth during pregnancy.

Follow the tips in this article about pregnancy and dental health to ensure you keep your teeth beautiful (and so you don’t have to have a tough visit to the dentist postpartum)!

How Does Morning Sickness Affect Your Teeth?

Unfortunately, when you vomit some of the acidity from your stomach contents is going to end up on your teeth.

If you can quickly brush this off, you’ll help protect your teeth’s enamel and help them remain strong and cavity free.

If you decide to skip the brushing and the acid stays on your teeth, it can do some real damage.

While this happens to everyone, any time we get sick and throw up, women experiencing morning sickness are more likely to be throwing up more frequently, thus causing the potential for more damage to their teeth.

I’m thrilled to have had Dr. Amanda Tavoularis take over this post to give you the most accurate information about how to protect your teeth when you’re experiencing morning sickness.

She even answers the popular question of what to do when brushing your teeth makes you feel nauseous.

Protecting Your Teeth When You’re Pregnant

This is a guest post from Dr. Amanda Tavoularis , a dentist who blogs at  dentably.com.

Morning sickness is one of the most common symptoms women experience when they’re expecting a child.

While the nausea and vomiting can be unbearable, many women are unaware of how this pregnancy side effect can affect their dental health.

I have been working with expecting mothers for nearly 20 years to help them work through their morning sickness and help their teeth stay healthy.

Since dental care is so important during pregnancy, I have compiled some helpful tips to help women during this special time in their life. 

3 Ways to Combat Morning Sickness for Better Dental Health

1. Don’t Skip Brushing

The intense nausea that you may feel during your pregnancy may cause you to skip a few meals but don’t let it tempt you into skipping your dental care routine.

It’s important to keep your teeth as healthy as possible while you’re pregnant to avoid any more serious issues from happening.

If the thought of brushing your teeth makes you feel even more sick, consider switching to a plain-tasting toothpaste instead.

You can also change the time of day you brush or use a smaller amount of toothpaste.  

Ask your dentist which toothpaste he/she recommends and don’t be afraid to try a few different types until you find something that works.

2. Use Baking Soda and Water

If you’re experiencing morning sickness while pregnant, it may cause you to vomit.

You probably aren’t rushing to brush your teeth after a wave of nausea, however, it’s important to protect your enamel from the gastric acid.

The best way to do this is by swishing your mouth with baking soda and water before brushing.

The baking soda will help neutralize the acid in your stomach which helps protect the enamel.

How to do it?

Swish the mixture in your mouth for a few seconds, rinse, and then brush your teeth as normal. 

3. Avoid Sugary Foods

Once you get your appetite back after a bout of morning sickness, you may be running to the pantry for sugary foods and drinks, especially when your energy is depleted.

However, it’s best to turn to healthier foods that are better for your dental health and provide you with longer lasting energy.

Try eating things such as cheese, veggies, nuts, and lean proteins.

Keep in mind not to restrict your diet too much.

It’s completely okay to indulge in sugary cravings, as long as it doesn’t become a habit as it can greatly affect the health of your teeth. 

Related: Pregnancy Super Foods (That You’ll Actually Want to Eat)

Morning Sickness and Your Dental Health

Among the many side effects of pregnancy, morning sickness is one of the most common.

Aside from the intense nauseating feelings, morning sickness can also have effects on your dental health.

There are many ways you can help combat this side effect to help you feel better and to avoid any serious issues in your mouth. 

Pregnancy is such a special time in a woman’s life and it’s important to maintain your oral care routine during this time to keep your mouth healthy for you and your baby.

Related: 17 Must Read Tips for an Easier Pregnancy

Guest Author:

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Dr. Amanda Tavoularis brings over 2 decades of expertise to the Dentably team and is committed to providing information and care to women and expecting mothers. She studied at the University of Washington School of Dentistry and continued her education at the Kois Center. With a son of her own, Dr. Amanda knows first hand how to take care of your dental health during pregnancy.

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