Sometimes when brushing your teeth, there is a gag reflex. Many mistakenly believe that this phenomenon is associated with intolerance to the components of the cleaning composition: paste, but the problem may be more serious. The cause of the gag reflex when brushing your teeth may be an internal ailment. Therefore, it is first important to determine what leads to this phenomenon. The presented article will help with this.
About the causes of the gag reflex when brushing your teeth and how to eliminate it in detail below.
Provoking factors
The cause of the gag reflex when brushing your teeth can be the banal use of toothpaste, for example, whitening. Its components can be rejected by the body, especially with serious illnesses.
The occurrence of vomiting is considered a defense mechanism against irritants. This state indicates thatthat toxic components have entered the body, or the procedure is not performed correctly.
The most common cause of the gag reflex when brushing your teeth is the wrong choice of toothpaste or brush. In this case, it will be possible to independently identify and eliminate the irritant. If the change of care products does not work, you need to see a doctor. All causes of this problem are presented below.
Gastrointestinal problems
This is one of the reasons why a gag reflex when brushing your teeth can occur even if you tolerate toothpaste. A sick stomach and intestines can lead to this phenomenon. You can identify the problem by:
- presence of white or yellowish coating on the tongue;
- feeling a bitter taste in the mouth after eating;
- intestinal dysbacteriosis, in which there is an upset stool;
- pain in the epigastrium and heartburn;
- chest pain.
Often the cause is gastritis and cholecystitis. In this case, there is stagnation of bile, which causes severe bitterness in the mouth and nausea. If these symptoms appear, you should go to a gastroenterologist.
Dental and ENT pathologies
Dental ailments are considered to be the cause of the gag reflex:
- stomatitis;
- gingivitis;
- periodontitis;
- caries.
These ailments can make the reflex part of the base of the tongue sensitive. With periodontitis, bleeding gums are observed, which causes an unpleasant aftertaste in the mouth andnausea. In this case, there is a reaction to irritants in the form of discharge from the gums.
To fix the problem, treatment of dental ailments is required. ENT pathologies include tonsillitis, pharyngitis, nasopharyngitis. With bacterial flora in the mouth, the reflexogenic part of the tongue will be highly sensitive. Because of this, a gag reflex occurs even when brushing your teeth. You need to go to the ENT to prescribe treatment.
Hormonal changes
If brushing your teeth causes a gag reflex, it may be due to hormonal imbalances. Often, such urges occur during pregnancy, especially in the 1st trimester due to the thickening of the root of the tongue and its high sensitivity. This happens with and without toxicosis.
The reason for the appearance of the reflex is considered to be taking oral contraceptives. With the established hormonal background, as during pregnancy, a gag urge appears when the toothbrush touches the root of the tongue. It is required to cancel the drug or replace it with another, for example, with a pure histogenic contraceptive. Alternative methods of protection are also used: the use of condoms, spermicides or intrauterine devices.
Poor hygiene practices
Gag reflex when brushing your teeth in the morning is due to improper brushing or toothpaste selection. Many toothpastes contain fluoride, which, though unlikely, can still be an irritant.
Menthol or herbal flavored pastes may have negative effects due tofor its specificity. Means with a strong pungent odor lead to vomiting. Improper cleaning also causes unpleasant consequences. This is associated with a very deep insertion of the toothbrush. The reflex appears from a very large brush, increased brushing, especially with strong tongue sensitivity.
This cause can be identified independently, without the help of a dentist. Sometimes all you need to do is replace the irritant to fix the problem.
How to choose a toothbrush and paste?
This should be done based on the condition of the oral cavity. Dental diseases must be taken into account. When choosing a brush, pay attention to the handle, which should be comfortable, rubberized and ribbed.
There must be a special transition between the head and the handle. This connection must be flexible, and when pressed hard, the tool must bend. You should also pay attention to the bristles. You should not choose a natural one, since in such a product there is a median canal in which pathogenic microorganisms will multiply. The brush also has several degrees of hardness. Need an average level.
Since there is an abrasive in the paste, the tooth enamel is polished and becomes smooth, which temporarily protects against the adhesion of microorganisms and the appearance of plaque. It should be borne in mind that in such funds there are also mineral components. ROCS toothpaste has an excellent effect.
However, when choosing one or the other, the purpose should be considered. To maintain oral he alth andhygienic care requires preventive and therapeutic and prophylactic means. They may contain calcium, phosphorus, fluorine. For diseases of the mucous membrane, pastes with medicinal herbs are recommended, as well as with propolis, sea buckthorn, and sage. To protect against caries, it is advisable for adults to use products with fluoride.
Children under 3 cannot use these pastes. But gel ones are great for them. They are safe for baby enamel and safe to swallow. Adults are advised to use special products for whitening. For example, there is ROCS toothpaste, which not only makes enamel whiter, but also improves breathing. However, they should not be abused, as they have a negative effect on the enamel.
Cleaning Rules
Procedures should be performed at least 2 times a day - in the morning and in the evening. Dentists advise to carry it out for at least 3 minutes. How to brush your teeth with a toothbrush? It is best to consult your dentist about this. But in general, you should carefully clean the outer and inner surfaces of the teeth, paying special attention to the interdental spaces, as they contain food debris.
It is advisable to clean the spaces between the teeth with special threads - flosses. They are carefully placed between the teeth, go around the gums, remove plaque and food debris. Finish brushing your teeth with a rinse, preferably herbal.
It is advisable to brush your teeth after every meal. If you have he althy teeth, chewing gum will do. A professional dental cleaning should be done twice a year.
Poisoning
To the symptoms of thisconditions include persistent nausea, vomiting, loose stools, high body temperature. Usually, with poisoning, especially severe, the body rejects the intake of water, and with brushing teeth, a slight ingestion of toothpaste occurs.
May be intolerance to fluoride pastes. After all, an excess of this substance is the cause of nausea and vomiting. Therefore, it is only necessary to replace the paste, which should be free of this component.
Psycho-neurological problems
Gag reflex comes from stress and chronic fatigue. No one knows what reaction the body will have in a stressful situation, but usually, this manifests itself in people with a weak psyche.
Many people develop a fear of brushing their teeth, because there is a panic of repeated vomiting. Because of this, the desire to perform these hygiene procedures disappears. You can help yourself. You just need to change the place and time of brushing your teeth. You can also see a psychotherapist who will prescribe sedatives and medications to reduce sensitivity.
When Pregnant
Nausea during pregnancy is common, but when it occurs while brushing your teeth, there is a strong aversion to this procedure. The cause may be toxicosis and hormonal disorders that cause hypersensitivity of the base of the tongue.
Often, discomfort manifests itself in the early stages, but there may be exceptions. In this case, you should use a paste withfaint mint flavor and drink a glass of cool water on an empty stomach.
In children
The cause may be an individual intolerance to the cleaning agent. You should teach your child how to properly brush their teeth and not swallow toothpaste as early as possible. If you feel the urge to vomit during cleaning, you need to undergo a preventive examination by a gastroenterologist, ENT, neuropathologist, dentist to exclude ailments that can lead to a gag reflex.
Troubleshooting
If there is a gag reflex when brushing your teeth, what should I do? Required:
- Choose the appropriate brush size.
- You need a paste without a pungent odor and a pronounced taste.
- It is necessary to determine the place, contact with which leads to a reflex.
- Don't brush deep into your mouth.
- Before cleaning, you need to eliminate the negative attitude.
Nausea during hygiene procedures can be eliminated if the causes are identified. If you follow preventive measures, then the gag reflex will no longer appear.
