Dentist warns common toothbrush habit can 'damage and decay' teeth

14 March 2024 , 10:01

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Brushing after throwing up could 'wear down' teeth (Image: Getty Images)

Whether you’ve caught a nasty stomach bug or you’re suffering from a severe hangover, a leading dentist has urged Brits to prioritise oral care after throwing up.

While it may seem natural to reach for your toothbrush after vomiting, Dr Vikas Prinja has warned that this is the worst thing you can do. Taking to TikTok, under the username @thelondondentist, he explained that the acid found in sick can "wear down" your teeth.

Dr Prinja said: "Don’t brush your teeth straight after throwing up, it brushes the acids into the teeth." As vomit contains highly acidic pH levels, these can wear down the enamel and make teeth more susceptible to decay.

Instead, it is recommended that you rinse with water, or use a non-alcoholic fluoride mouth rinse, explains The Dental Surgery. It takes the body 30-minutes to neutralise the acidity, so brushing around half-an-hour after throwing up is advised.

The expert then suggests using sugar-free chewing gum because it "stimulates saliva production and fights against the acid". According to the Oral Health Foundation (OHF), saliva is the mouth's natural defence against acid as it repairs damaged enamel.

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It takes saliva around one hour to replace the minerals that the enamel has lost, but this process can be accelerated with sugar-free gum, reports the OHF. Dr Prinja also urged ill Brits to avoid wearing their retainer or mouth guard after vomiting, because it will trap the acids up against the teeth where the saliva can’t reach.

He added: "Ask your dentist to prescribe you some high fluoride toothpaste. It hardens the outer layer of the tooth which makes it more resistant to acid." The OHF explains that traditional toothpaste found in supermarkets contains around 1450ppm fluoride, but prescription varieties boast 5000ppm - more than three times the usual amount.

"This makes it really effective at preventing and reducing tooth decay," the health site writes. The dentist then shared his homemade baking soda mouthwash recipe, which effectively counteracts the high acidity found in vomit and protects enamel.

He said: "All you need is a ¼ tsp of baking soda, an ⅛ tsp of salt, and one cup of water." What’s more, research in the The Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA) summarised the oral health benefits of baking soda, which include:

• Effectively combats bacteria
• Helps to prevent gingivitis

• Whitens teeth and reduces stains

• Minimises the acidity of plaque

• It's low-abrasive and safe for daily use

• Helps prevent cavities

Freya Hodgson