Question:
Toothpaste makes me sick....

This might be kind of a dumb question, but I am almost 3 weeks post-op (open RNY) and my toothpaste seems to give me the dry-heaves. I am very careful not to swallow it, but it seems it's just too much for my stomach. The brand is Arm & Hammer Advance White. Has anyone ever had this problem and can anyone make a recommendation? I don't want to spend a bunch of money buying a whole bunch of different kinds of toothpaste...but obviously I want to be able to brush my teeth without getting sick.    — [Anonymous] (posted on June 7, 2001)

June 6, 2001
I had that very same problem. What I was told by my surgeon is that it is because of being incubated. I am 12 weeks post op and don't have that problem any longer. It just takes a little time for things to get better. Good luck to you on your new way of life.
   — [Anonymous]

June 6, 2001
This may sound wierd but I had this problem during my first trimester of pregnancy. Not that you may be pregnant, but I think it's indicative of the changes your body is going through. As soon as your new stomach starts to stablize, I think that problem will go away.
   — [Deactivated Member]

June 7, 2001
It sounds like this too, shall pass. I would suspect that the heavy "minty" flavor of most toothpastes is what's bothering you. I know you don't want to try lots of different toothpastes, but I would recommend trying a children's fruit flavored natural toothpaste. My son uses Tom's of Maine Silly Strawberry toothpaste (they also make orange). He can't tolerate the mint flavors. Just a suggestion. If that doesn't work, you can try brushing with just a bit of baking soda on your toothbrush for a week or two and see if you can get past this.
   — BethVBG

June 7, 2001
This may sound corny, but in our modern evolution we always haven't had access to toothpaste.... I don't think it was even invented until the late 1700's or early 1800's. Simply scrubbing your teeth and tongue very well with your toothbrush will loosen plaque and food. I keep a toothbrush at work for this purpose (after lunch) and I don't always have toothpaste. The toothpaste, while it is minty and fresh, doesn't do as much as the actual scrubbing of the teeth. Thats why we floss too, to remove plaque and it's the plaque that gives us the bad breath. JMYHO, but you could probably go without toothpaste for a long time and as long as you brush, floss etc. your teeth/breath will be OK! Another option is straight baking soda- it says so right on the box, and as barfy as it tastes, it makes your teeth feel the BEST- very clean! It's been said before many time (in the database) that most of these intolerances we have right after surgery go away. The nausea and intolerance to simple things we enjoyed before surgery- will slowly return to us. We just need to be creative in subsituting them....
   — Karen R.