Protect Your Teeth During Morning Sickness
One of the hallmarks of pregnancy is morning sickness. (We didn’t say it was the fun part.) Despite its name, morning sickness can strike any time of day…and does.
Over half of pregnant women suffer from the nausea and vomiting that may be caused by a sudden increase in hormones. Degrees of morning sickness range from woozy feelings caused by certain smells (or the mere mention of them) to vomiting several times a day. This makes going to work, traveling and going about the day challenging for roughly the first half of pregnancy.
Morning sickness can also do a number on your teeth. Stomach acid is tough on tooth enamel.
Here are some tips to get you through:
Switch to a bland-tasting toothpaste.
Grossed out by toothpaste? Don’t skip brushing. Switch to a different flavor or plain-tasting product instead. Make sure it has fluoride which strengthens teeth and prevents cavities. Your dentist can recommend some. Try changing the time of day you brush, as well. Another trick is to use a smaller amount of toothpaste.
Rinse.
Following bouts of vomiting, rinse your mouth with plain water. Add baking soda to the water to neutralize acids in your mouth and on teeth.
Control triggers.
Avoid smells that make you, well, gag. Some use a peppermint lip balm or another calming scent to keep morning sickness at bay. Sipping ginger tea is also an age-old remedy.
Don’t bounce back with sugary foods.
Many reach for sugary foods and drinks as energy sources, particularly when feeling depleted. Turn to healthier, tooth-friendly foods instead for longer lasting energy. Cheese, veggies, nuts and lean proteins are good choices.
