Managing Oral Health and Hygiene with Hyperemesis

Imagine facing the relentless waves of nausea and vomiting, so intense that they overshadow every other aspect of your daily life, including the seemingly mundane task of brushing your teeth. 

This is the harsh reality for women battling hyperemesis gravidarum, an extreme form of morning sickness that can wreak havoc on oral health and hygiene.

This article explores the overlooked challenges of maintaining oral health amidst severe pregnancy-related nausea. Through insights and practical tips, we navigate the complexities of oral hygiene care for those enduring hyperemesis, offering hope and strategies to protect your smile against the odds. 

What is Hyperemesis?

Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is a severe complication of pregnancy in which sufferers experience extreme levels of vomiting and nausea. Unlike regular morning sickness, which is considered a normal side effect of early pregnancy, HG isn’t normal at all. 

Regular morning sickness affects around 70-80% of pregnant women and usually goes away after the first trimester. However, HG is much more severe and affects 1-3% of pregnant women and can be potentially life-threatening if left untreated. For most, HG stops between 13-20 weeks; however, some women can experience it throughout their entire pregnancy. 

Two of the hardest and most challenging complications of HG are dehydration and malnutrition. Due to the severity of the condition, sufferers may find themselves admitted to the hospital for treatment and to prevent their HG from worsening. 

The Impact of Hyperemesis on Oral Health

Not only does HG have severe impacts on your general health, but it also affects your oral health. One of the most severe impacts of hyperemesis on oral health is dental erosion. 

Vomiting associated with HG can cover your teeth with strong stomach acids. Repetitive vomiting erodes the enamel (the outermost layer of your teeth), resulting in unpleasant and painful sensitivity when eating or drinking something hot or cold. If the erosion of your teeth is severe and continues to progress past the enamel, the deeper layers of your teeth, such as the nerves, can also be damaged. 

One of the most common ways to limit the effects of repetitive vomiting is to rinse your mouth out with water after you throw up. Water helps to neutralise the acidity and limit the damage to your teeth. 

It’s also important that you don’t brush your teeth for at least 30 minutes after throwing up. If you brush your teeth straight after vomiting, it can actually wear away the weakened enamel, worsening the effects of dental erosion.

Managing Oral Hygiene with Hyperemesis

Because consistent vomiting can have a heavy impact on your oral health, these are some ways you can manage your oral hygiene with hyperemesis.

Limit brushing your teeth 

Unfortunately, when you’re experiencing HG, brushing your teeth isn’t always a priority. However, it’s important to still brush your teeth twice a day to prevent further teeth erosion and decay. 

If you experience nausea and vomiting during the time you usually brush your teeth, it may be helpful to switch to brushing your teeth when your nausea isn’t as severe. 

If you can only manage to brush your teeth once a day, make sure it’s before you go to sleep. When you sleep, your mouth gets dry, and without the protective effects of saliva, decay is more likely to set in.

Use a soft toothbrush 

A soft-bristled toothbrush can help reduce gag reflexes when brushing. Also, if adult toothbrushes still trigger nausea, try using a smaller toothbrush designed for children. 

Change your toothpaste 

If the taste of your usual toothpaste makes you nauseous, try other brands until you find one that works for you. Unlike traditional toothpaste, SLS-free toothpaste will not foam up, which can be helpful if the foamy texture of regular toothpaste triggers your nausea. 

Rinse regularly 

It’s recommended that you don’t brush your teeth for at least 30 minutes after vomiting, as it can add to dental erosion. Instead, rinse your mouth with water each time you vomit, as it will neutralise the acid in your mouth and limit the damage of the stomach acid to your teeth.

Chew gum 

Sugar-free gum can stimulate saliva production, which helps neutralise stomach acid in the mouth. Make sure it’s sugar-free to avoid contributing to tooth decay. 

Diet considerations 

Although difficult with hyperemesis, try to maintain a diet that supports dental health when you can eat. Foods high in vitamin C and calcium can help maintain gum health and strengthen teeth. 

Visit the dentist 

Following the steps above and making changes to your lifestyle can mean that your HG pregnancy will not necessarily lead to a deterioration in oral health. 

If you experience HG but can manage a visit to the dentist, booking a check-up while you’re pregnant is recommended. Early detection of any issues and a professional application of concentrated fluoride varnish can be beneficial in restoring your dental health or reversing early dental disease. 

But do dentists know about the effects of HG? Yes, dentists are trained to be familiar with the effects of repetitive vomiting and periods of dental neglect on teeth. 

Book An Appointment with Admire Dentistry 

They say prevention is better than the cure, and at Admire Dentistry, we agree.

Our dentist will thoroughly examine your teeth and provide preventative dental services to help manage your oral health while experiencing HG. If you have started showing signs of HG and can manage to get to the dentist, book an appointment with us.