Minty fresh puke

November 7, 2007 10:39 AM

Help me stop puking in the morning (toothpaste).

I looked here, but there didn't seem to be an answer. I'm a guy, so I know it's not that I'm pregnant.

But I've tried switching toothpastes, and all of them seem to give me this thick coating of mucous in my mouth. I've always been sensitive to mucous, and when it gets to the back of my throat, I start to gag and then inevitably vomit.

It sucks, and I don't want to do it anymore.

Variables I've controlled for:

Eating/not eating. Eating a little something that doesn't include dairy, bread or fruit seems to be better than not eating anything, but finding a breakfast food that includes none of those things is kinda tough. Salty stuff makes it worse, as does dairy.

Coffee: Coffee does not have an appreciable effect (sometimes it's better, sometimes it's worse, I've been unable to control for variations in the coffee enough to tell if that has a significant effect).

Variables that seem to have an effect that I have not yet been able to isolate:

Cold weather: This seems to happen more as it has been getting colder.

Los Angeles: This seems to have become more frequent since I moved to LA, though I don't know if that's because I need to be up earlier in order to get to my job.

I have tried Tom's (Cinnamon, Peppermint, Spearmint, Mango Orange), Crest (Regular flavor, whitening/non-whitening, kids bubblegum), and just baking soda and water (which seems to have less of an effect, though it is vile).

What next? I know that I need to set up my first meeting with my new doctor soon, I imagine this is something that I should take up with him. There were many folks who seemed to have the same problem the last time this subject was broached—have any of you controlled for variables I've missed? Any success? I spent 15 minutes puking this morning, and I'd like to avoid that in the future.

posted by klangklangston to health & fitness (41 comments total)

Why not just skip brushing your teeth in the morning? Just rinse with a good and enjoyable mouthwash. Save brushing your teeth for after lunch and right before bed.
posted by Sassyfras at 10:47 AM on November 7, 2007

I use a natural toothpaste (the Sea Fresh one), which doesn't froth up at all with my electric toothbrush. I also find that a cheap alcohol based mouthwash afterwards helps.
posted by Solomon at 10:47 AM on November 7, 2007

Any difference between using a manual vs. electric toothbrush? What if you hold your head down so the toothpaste can't slide back in your mouth?
posted by gnutron at 10:50 AM on November 7, 2007

sleep with a humidfier to help thin out the mucus. if you're desperate, take an expectorant like mucinex at night (it won't keep you up).

gargle or swish with warm salt water in the morning. that will clean out any stickies. then brush with the least offensive toothpaste you can find. see if that helps.
posted by thinkingwoman at 10:52 AM on November 7, 2007

My solution is to lean forward while I brush so the toothpaste falls into the sink instead accumulating in my mouth and throat spitting out excess paste, sloppiness be damned. If I go the other (proper?) route and keep my mouth level, I gag from the toothpaste.
posted by jmd82 at 10:53 AM on November 7, 2007

Just brush without toothpaste! Your dentist will confirm (as mine did) that toothpaste is not needed for a toothbrush to operate as intended.

I was nauseated by the extremely strong, excessively sweet toothpaste normally used in my dentist's office. We switched to one with a milder flavor and the problem went away.
posted by JimN2TAW at 10:54 AM on November 7, 2007

If I were you, in the mornings and at night I would use a tiny, tiny bit of toothpaste on the brush. I have a friend who does this anyway. Me, I'm a big glob type of guy. Floss afterwards, heck sometimes that's what you really need anyway. The paste is good but with a minimal amount and vigorous brushing, I think you could maximize your coverage area and minimize gagging.

Throughout the day when you eat, buy those little tooth wiper things. I don't know what they're called - they're a little piece of something and you put it on your index finger and can scrub your teeth after meals.
posted by cashman at 10:55 AM on November 7, 2007

You mention (vile, indeed) baking soda and water; there are less vile tooth powder products that split the difference there, which might be worth a shot.

You could also try brushing thoroughly with just water, and pairing that with some mouthwash action.

Have you tried brushing with your head down? Keep the paste (or powder) from crawling back to the back of the throat through the power of gravity? Spitting throughout might also help keep the buildup down.
posted by cortex at 10:55 AM on November 7, 2007

How often are you spitting out the toothpaste? Is it just that the toothpaste itself is building up too much in your mouth? I sometimes also need to pause to rinse off the handle part of the toothbrush, because when that gets covered with frothed toothpaste, I start to gag.

It has turned me into one of those horrible people who must leave the water running while I'm brushing my teeth, but it's probably better than puking.
posted by occhiblu at 10:55 AM on November 7, 2007

I do like jmd82, and I actually end up brushing several rounds, each time with a small bit of toothpaste. I have settled on Crest Vanilla Mint (mild and generally ignorable) in the flip top plastic container (not tube) because the paste is thinner and it's easier to get a controlled application. I do not use large toothbrushes, either.

Listening to the radio helps. If I think about toothbrushing while I brush, I'm 10 times more likely to puke.
posted by Lyn Never at 10:57 AM on November 7, 2007

Have you tried tooth powder?
posted by necessitas at 10:59 AM on November 7, 2007

just brush with water, for a couple of years toothpaste was just too strong and sort of burned my mouth so I just brushed with just water. My teeth felt clean and my breath didn't stink (brushing the tongue is key, though if that gags you try a tongue scraper) and I didn't have problems with my teeth, YMMV.
posted by estronaut at 11:00 AM on November 7, 2007

I had the same problem until I switched to orange flavored toothpaste.
posted by Blandanomics at 11:13 AM on November 7, 2007

To answer follow-ups: I have tried with a (lower tier) electric, that doesn't seem to affect results. I have tried brushing with my face down, not letting anything get out (though my dentist emphasized my need to brush back in the very back, behind my molars and I have a small-headed toothbrush to do so). My technique involves a small amount of toothpaste, then wetting the brush, then brushing and spitting, then rinsing the brush, then more brushing and spitting. I repeat until I have all of the toothpaste out of my mouth, or as much as I can get. I fear that brushing with my face forward primes me for the puking, though this might be purely hypochondria at the moment, due to the unfortunate recurrence of the puking.

Tomorrow, I will try without toothpaste to see if I can get my mouth, you know, not cruddy.
posted by klangklangston at 11:18 AM on November 7, 2007

Oh, and I've also tried taking decongestants earlier in the morning to see if I could thin out some of the mucous. While it's helped, it hasn't prevented the puking.
posted by klangklangston at 11:19 AM on November 7, 2007

Have you tried brushing at the end of a hot shower? Maybe using just enough mouthwash to wet the brush head?
posted by zennie at 11:20 AM on November 7, 2007

I've noticed that after I smoked a joint, my gag reflex is very much lowered, so I can brush the back of my tongue with a toothbrush safely.
posted by PowerCat at 11:21 AM on November 7, 2007

Have you tried blowing your nose right b4 and after? That works for me when I get the "gaggy" feeling.
posted by doorsfan at 11:25 AM on November 7, 2007

I had a friend who swore by Monkey Brand black tooth powder (I've seen it described as the world's oldest extant formulated dentifrice) - I used to use just ordinary toothpowder because it's a superior travel product (I started after a tube leaked in my bag, natch).

Definitely less gunk potential than toothpaste, though I don't know if it will solve your problem, which seems totally bizarre to me (you don't have this problem in the evening? What's up with that?) - I've never heard anything like it.

Tooth powder junction
posted by nanojath at 11:25 AM on November 7, 2007

Super gag reflex here and here's what I do that has helped me. I blow my nose and clear my throat before I brush my teeth. I also lean forward and let it dribble out as I brush. I also think about lots of other things or listen to the morning news at the same time. If I think about the urge to puke, I'll puke. YMMV
posted by onhazier at 11:30 AM on November 7, 2007

"I've noticed that after I smoked a joint, my gag reflex is very much lowered, so I can brush the back of my tongue with a toothbrush safely."

Yeah, well, see the part about having to get to a job afterwards. Much as I love being high at work, I'm past the age where I can pretend that my eyes are just "like that, dude."

"Have you tried blowing your nose right b4 and after? That works for me when I get the "gaggy" feeling."

I have, and that accounts for maybe a 15% reduction in pukiness, but is still less than the vomit threshold.

"you don't have this problem in the evening? What's up with that?"

I still get the mucous in the evening, but I don't puke. I don't get to the point of no return.
posted by klangklangston at 11:33 AM on November 7, 2007

When I had bad morning sickness the only way I could brush my teeth in the morning was by using a teeny tiny children's toothbrush and going super slow. Using a kid's fruity-flavored paste helped a bit, too.
posted by jrossi4r at 11:42 AM on November 7, 2007

Then make your evening brushing your industrial-strength dental hygiene routine, while doing just enough in the morning to get rid of the night's plaque, stimulate your gums, and freshen your breath.

EVENING:
1) Plax rinse to loosen plaque.
2) Floss.
3) Brush with any toothpaste you like.
4) Biotene or a fluoride rinse, if needed.

MORNING:
1) Plax.
2) Brush with plain water or more Plax.
3) Rinse with water and leave the house.
posted by maudlin at 11:43 AM on November 7, 2007

Rather than focusing on toothbrushing strategies, maybe you should go to an allergist to sort out the mucus issues? When I am really congested, I feel nauseous 24/7. If the issue is worse in the morning than the evening, maybe you have post-nasal drip and something like a wedge pillow would reduce the morning mucus issue?

In the meantime, drink loads and loads of water. That will thin out the mucus. It isn't a solution, but it may help.
posted by necessitas at 11:44 AM on November 7, 2007

I also have this problem. Using a little bitty toothbrush helped somewhat, but what makes the most difference for me is to eat breakfast before brushing, and then wait as long as possible after eating to brush.
posted by magicbus at 11:46 AM on November 7, 2007

Plax.
posted by maudlin at 11:47 AM on November 7, 2007

I didn't get all the way to puking most of the time, but I had similar.

My doctor gave me an up-the-nose allergy drug to help with mucus thickness and I use cola flavored toothpaste so that I don't hate the flavor in my mouth.

I started using Colgate again after getting rid of the instinctive reaction, but gah.
posted by Gucky at 11:49 AM on November 7, 2007

Adding some salt to the baking soda makes it less vile. I'm not hardcore enough to use it exclusively but it works nicely for out-of-toothpaste emergencies.
posted by Skorgu at 11:54 AM on November 7, 2007

Try drinking a glass of water first thing in the morning, before brushing.

Seconding the no-toothpaste option, and if that doesn't work, just the big glass of water and floss option. Then maybe you could have some sugarfree mint gum on the way to work if you want to kill mouth smell?
posted by LobsterMitten at 1:55 PM on November 7, 2007

I wonder if maybe you're triggering your gag reflex by brushing too far back or too close to your actual throat?
posted by Solomon at 2:26 PM on November 7, 2007

I've had the same issue, and I've successfully tamed it by gargling after brushing just -until- you get to the point where you're going to get rid of the mucus, but before you throw up.
It's a fine line, but it solves your problem.
Do that 3 or 4 times after brushing, and you're good to go.
posted by lilithim at 4:08 PM on November 7, 2007

I used to have problems too with a coating forming in my mouth, to the point where I had to pull it out!

I checked with my dentist and she said that it can sometimes occur if there is a reaction with the toothpaste.

Apparently cinnamon causes this regularly.

I personally have switched to Colgate and have had no problems ever since!
posted by bitteroldman at 4:32 PM on November 7, 2007

Weleda Salt Toothpaste. You'll be drooling too much to puke and your overall plaque will reduce.

[ IANAD,BIDHCPBU - I Am Not A Dentist, But I Do Have Crazy Plaque Build Up.]
posted by Minus215Cee at 6:25 PM on November 7, 2007

Almost all toothpastes--including most of the "natural ones" like Tom's--contain sodium laureth sulfate or similar (like sodium dodecyl sulfate). I've always found toothpastes to burn the inside of my mouth, with the irritation leading to the problems you describe. Along with the alternatives mentioned, you might try a fluoridated mouthwash without SLS (check, some of them do have it).

I've been told to keep up with fluoride, since it doesn't effect me--you may wish to skip that too, as some people do react badly to it.
posted by sarahkeebs at 6:57 PM on November 7, 2007

Throwing up is really bad for your teeth (stomach acids and all).
posted by alexei at 11:12 PM on November 7, 2007

So, this morning I:

Ate and drank earlier, giving myself about 20 minutes between eating and brushing.

Had peanut butter and jelly instead of cream cheese on my bagel.

Used next to no toothpaste (I just put it on out of habit, before realizing what I'd done, then knocked the glob off).

The end point was that it reduced the mucous to below vomit threshold, yet still left me with five minutes or so of cacophonous horking.

Tomorrow, I'll eliminate toothpaste altogether and get some mouthwash.
posted by klangklangston at 10:59 AM on November 8, 2007

Let us know what happens!
Or even better, check with a dentist! Maybe this is more common than you think!
posted by bitteroldman at 7:38 PM on November 8, 2007

This morning—

No mouthwash, brushed only five minutes after eating, no toothpaste (save the residual still on the brush, I guess): Still phlegmy (though not as much), did puke (in a chain-reaction sort of thing).

Tomorrow: Mouthwash (I promise), more time between eating and brushing, no toothpaste.
posted by klangklangston at 10:16 AM on November 9, 2007

My problem is likely not what you have, but when I was waking up early for school (like, before 6am) I would puke every time I'd brush my teeth in the morning. The only thing I could attribute it to was waking up early, and this still happens if I wake up much before 6am and try to get ready for the day, but that's rare.

I think it was a combo of being still sleepy/groggy and a reduced gag reflex.

Do you always eat before you brush your teeth? Maybe try brushing first. Or brush your teeth while you're in the shower, it's easy to rinse constantly that way.
posted by eldiem at 6:01 PM on November 9, 2007

My technique involves a small amount of toothpaste, then wetting the brush, then brushing and spitting, then rinsing the brush, then more brushing and spitting. I repeat until I have all of the toothpaste out of my mouth, or as much as I can get.

Do you rinse your mouth after you're done brushing? I'd feel pukey too if I left toothpaste residue in my mouth in the morning, and sometimes even mouthwash is enough to make me gag. Try running some lukewarm water after you've finished and rinse out the leftover toothpaste.
posted by carsonb at 6:43 PM on November 10, 2007

I have this problem, too, though not as severely as you do.
My suggestions are to wait as long as you can to brush your teeth so that you are as awake as possible. Eating first is good, too.
Then when you are actually brushing, do the "trigger" places first so you aren't thinking about gagging the whole time you brush.
Spit early and often.
I also like to brush in the shower, you could try that and see if it helps.
posted by exceptinsects at 9:11 AM on November 11, 2007