Gag Reflex and Pregnancy

Here's what I did. I blew my nose first (extra congestion makes the gag worse). Then I took a deep breath and tried to keep the back of my throat as open as possible while I brushed. I kept a glass of cold water with me. If I felt a gag coming on, I spit and then drank the water until the gag went away (otherwise I would actually heave!). Drinking water while brushing really helped the most as did breathing through my mouth instead of my nose. I also made sure I used the bathroom before tooth brushing because the force of gagging was a little more than my already strained bladder could handle! And my final piece of advice, if you know brushing your teeth is going to make you heave, do NOT eat mini wheats for breakfast, because freshly eaten mini wheats REALLY hurt when they come back up! I feel for you. So sorry.

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the gag reflex while preggo is the worst. i've read trying just baking soda and water, maybe try using your finger to brush? with my first pregnancy i had trouble brushing my teeth. i'm on my second pregnancy and luckily i don't have that problem this time.

good luck.

I had the same issue, but it didn't start until right after my first trimester ended, when I was finally feeling better. The dentist told me to brush without toothpaste if that helped, but I do remember it going away after a while, maybe a month or two. Oh, I think one thing that helped was doing it before I ate. Not as good as eating and then brushing, but when I had a full stomach, it was a lot worse than without.

I had the same problem with my first dd. I actually started brushing my teeth in the shower, or before I ate anything. I know kind of counterproductive, but then if I did gag and ended up throwing up my stomach would be empty. I also brushed really quickly and tried to swallow as much as I could without swallowing any toothpaste. Sorry I don't have any better advice. It will get better, just gotta tough through it! Also see if maybe you can use the wisp toothbrushes? Those are the ones you don't need to use with water. HTH!

I think I did that toothbrush gagging through my entire pregnancy... The only thing that seems to work is making sure you are breathing through your nose (not mouth) while you brush.

Hi M.-

I was like that with both my pregnancies and it's not fun!! I used a smaller toothbrush with just a dab of toothpaste. I still gagged but I was able to get it done quicker.

Sorry and good luck!

Have you tried anything that would make the back of your throat numb. I don't know which products are ok but it seems like cloraceptic (have no idea how to spell that!!) makes your throat numb. I used a mouthwash when I had strep that you gargle then spit out that would make my whole mouth and throat numb. It worked very well. I'd ask the doc if prescribing something like that is safe. I also have a trick that a nurse showed me years ago when i had to have a swab of my throat to confirm strep. She said that if you exhale forcefully during the part that makes you gag that it short circuits the reflex. It's worked for me every time. Brush quickly and exhale hard with each brush....take your time so you won't hyperventilate!!

M., be glad it's not all the time. My husband gags something awful when he brushes his teeth. It's been going on for over a year now. No idea why!

Hope it goes away for you soon!
D.

That happened to me.. .maybe not as severely though.
But if I did not watch myself brushing my teeth in the mirror at the sink.. that sort of helped.
Or I just psyched myself out... and thought of other things while I was brushing. That also helped. To distract your mind from it.

all the best,
Susan

No advice but you are not alone. It only happened with my 1st but it was still gross

I went through it for all three pregs and for ab 22 weeks. Lovely isn't it? The only advice I can give is to try to keep as much of the spit and bubbles toward the front of your mouth and to brush before there's much in there. Good luck!! Only a little while to go.

I had the same problem...it did get better for me once I got to around 20 weeks each time, but my second pregancy, when I was pregnant with twins it was the worst!

I don't really have any tips other than I know I was not all that great at brushing my back teeth during that time, kind of quickly glossed over that area and that seemed to help.

Good luck and just keep reminding yourself it will be over with at some point!

-M

I know what you are going through! What helped me is to lean forward, use as little toothpaste as you can and have a cup of water close by to rinse quickly afterward. Good luck

M

I was like that with my first pregnancy. I threw up at every tooth brushing. My husband even hand-squeezed me a glass of OJ and I threw it up. He turned around and walked away, irritated. LOL

Have you tried straight baking soda with a kids toothbrush, Maybe the smaller brush won't hit you so far back?

I started to gag with this pregnancy (#4) and I changed toothpaste - made a HUGE difference.

Hang in there sweetie.

Oh this brings back the memories of my first pregnancy! I had this problem with brushing my teeth too. I always just tried to do it as quickly as I could and just try to block out the ickiness in my mind. Good luck - I know what you're going through isn't fun at all.

I had the same problem. I couldn't even watch my son brush his teeth without puking. I can't really give you advice, but it didn't last the whole pregnancy. I think it was gone halfway through the 2nd trimester. Sorry, and good luck!

Hum while you brush your teeth, your throat can't do two things at once...worked for me like a charm!

I'm so sorry. That really stinks, doesn't it?! The same thing happened when I was pregnant with #4. Unfortunately for me, it lasted the entire pregnancy and still rears it's ugly head (at least the gagging part) to this day and my youngest is 6! Don't know what triggered it and can't figure out what causes it now. Just hang in there!

And congratulations on #4! You go, mama!