While pregnancy nausea generally subsides after the first
trimester, it does increase the risks for both tooth decay and
erosion. Erosion is the disintegration of enamel caused by acid
from the stomach. Drinking a glass of water or chewing a piece
of sugar-free gum can protect the teeth by neutralizing the acid
in the mouth. It might seem counterintuitive, but it’s important
to wait at least five minutes after getting sick before reaching
for a toothbrush. Otherwise, the toothbrush can pick up acid in
the mouth and brush it into your teeth, causing erosion to
progress even faster. —Jackie Lanigan, DMD, general dentist with
Konikoff Dentistry in Virginia Beach, Virginia