V O M I T I N G A N D T O O T H E N A M E L
Stomach acid has a pH of around 2.0— far more corrosive than most foods or drinks.
Every episode of vomiting coats the teeth in that acid, and if your child( or you) brushes immediately afterwards, the softened enamel gets physically abraded away. This is a very common and very preventable mistake.
What to do after vomiting:
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Rinse immediately with plain water. This neutralises the acid without brushing.. Wait 60 minutes before brushing. The enamel needs time to reharden after acid exposure. Brushing too soon removes softened enamel.
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When brushing, use fluoride toothpaste and don ' t rinse. Let the fluoride sit on the teeth to help remineralise the enamel.
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If vomiting is prolonged over several days, mention it at the next dental visit. Repeated acid exposure from vomiting, particularly in teenagers, can cause visible enamel erosion on the inside surfaces of the upper front teeth.
Note: this is general information and to seek medical care if needed.
A note on teenagers: Enamel erosion on the inner surfaces of the upper front teeth, beyond what a stomach bug would cause, can be a warning sign of an eating disorder. It ' s a pattern dentists are trained to recognise, and one we take seriously. If you have concerns about your teenager ' s relationship with food, your dentist is a non-judgmental first point of contact.
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