Morning Sickness & Your Smile
Morning sickness is one of the major downsides of pregnancy.
While some women suffer only from the nauseous and queasy feeling, some women suffer from intense morning sickness and are sick multiple times a day. Being sick can really damage our teeth, and this is something that people rarely discuss. Sick is extremely acidic and when acid comes into contact with our teeth, it causes damage to our enamel.
As you can imagine, women suffering from morning sickness will suffer more from damage to their tooth enamel. But there is no cause to worry. Today we’re going to look at a few ways that pregnant ladies can look after their teeth if they do suffer from morning sickness.
If you can, wait before you brush.
Naturally, the taste and the smell after being sick makes you want to reach immediately for the toothbrush. However, due to the acid and the consequent damage to the enamel, it is a good idea to wait a short while before brushing your teeth. Instead, it is a good idea to rinse the mouth with some alcohol free mouth wash and wait at least an hour before brushing. Why? Because brushing on weakened enamel can weaken your teeth further and cause more problems with your teeth and gums.
Stay hydrated.
Being sick can seriously dehydrate us. So women who suffer from intense morning sickness are more likely to be less hydrated. If we aren’t taking in enough water, we will suffer from dry mouth. If our mouth is too dry, we are more likely to suffer from tooth day and inflamed gums. Saliva is the body’s natural mouthwash – if we aren’t able to produce it, it is easier for bacteria to manifest on our teeth and gums which can cause a whole host of problems.
Change up your toothpaste and toothbrush.
It may be an idea to switch up your brushing routine by getting yourself some new products. If your tooth enamel has been damaged due to morning sickness, brushing with a softer toothbrush will be beneficial to you. Your enamel is likely to be softened and brushing with a hard-bristled brush will not help! It may also be worthwhile changing up your toothpaste. Dentist can prescribe a toothpaste with increased levels of fluoride – this will help defeat decay that may be caused by the sickness. It is also important to remember not to rinse after brushing. Doing this rinses away the fluoride that helps to repair and protect our teeth!
Speak to your dentist.
If you feel like your teeth have been damaged from morning sickness, or you have any concerns it is a good idea to speak to your dentist. They will be able to provide you with necessary information and treatment.
If you need to register with a dentist in your area, we can help you. Head over to our website where we have thousands of dentists in the UK ready and waiting to help you. Simply search your location and then browse the clinics on offer! Finding your perfect dentist has never been easier.