I feel nauseous when brushing my teeth. Is this because I am pregnant?

Many people experience nausea when brushing their teeth, especially in the morning. Many women who are preparing to get pregnant also believe that such symptoms mean they are pregnant. In fact, nausea and vomiting may indeed be caused by pregnancy, but it may also be caused by chronic pharyngitis, rhinitis or improper brushing methods. Here we will introduce to you the specific reasons for vomiting when brushing teeth!

1. Does dry heaving when brushing teeth in the morning mean pregnancy?

Maybe you are pregnant. This is a normal reaction during pregnancy. You will feel retching and vomiting in the early stages of pregnancy, especially in the morning. Many mothers have this situation. You can buy a toothpaste specially for pregnant women so that you won’t feel nauseous and retching.

2. Physiological reasons for nausea and retching when brushing teeth

Squeezing too much toothpaste: Some people feel nauseous and retching when brushing their teeth because they squeeze too much toothpaste. The excessive toothpaste rubbing in the mouth will produce foam that irritates the throat and causes nausea.

Improper toothbrush selection: A toothbrush with a larger brush head can easily irritate the mouth and throat and cause nausea when brushing your teeth. It is recommended to use a health toothbrush with a smaller brush head. Female friends with smaller mouths can consider using a children's toothbrush.

Improper choice of toothpaste: Some medicated toothpastes have a strong taste and are very irritating, which can easily cause nausea and vomiting. You should choose a mild toothpaste that you are comfortable with.

3. Pathological causes of nausea and retching when brushing teeth

Problems with the throat: The throat has the function of defending against the invasion of harmful external factors, one of which is the vomiting reflex. In fact, there are many peripheral receptors controlled by the brain nerves distributed in our pharyngeal mucosa, such as the vagus nerve, glossopharyngeal nerve, trigeminal nerve, etc., so the sense of our pharynx is very sensitive. When we accidentally ingest harmful substances or are stimulated by foreign objects, the nerve endings will transmit information to the brain, causing a vomiting reflex.

Rhinitis and sinusitis: In the morning, the purulent and sticky secretions of rhinitis and sinusitis flow back into the mouth, sometimes causing nausea, which is most obvious when brushing teeth.

Bleeding gums: Patients with gingivitis and periodontal disease will have bleeding gums during brushing. The bloody and purulent secretions in the gingival sulcus are brushed out and the odor causes nausea and vomiting.