Should you brush your teeth after vomiting?

From a health standpoint, immediate brushing after vomiting isn't ideal because of the stomach acid. It weakens the enamel. I'd say just rinse your mouth thoroughly with water or a fluoride mouthwash. Hydration and light diet are more important after a bout of sickness than harsh brushing.

Oh my god, I always feel so gross after vomiting and my first instinct is to brush immediately! But then I heard it might be bad for enamel. Is this true? What do others do? Does rinsing actually feel clean enough?

No, it's generally advised not to brush immediately. Vomit is highly acidic, and brushing directly after exposes softened enamel to abrasion, which can damage it. A quick rinse with water or a non-alcoholic mouthwash is the practical solution. Wait at least 30 minutes before actual brushing.

It's a common misconception to brush right away. The strong stomach acid in vomit temporarily softens your tooth enamel. Brushing immediately can actually scrape off this softened enamel. The best practical advice is to rinse your mouth thoroughly with plain water or a fluoride mouthwash and wait for about 30 minutes before brushing gently.

Dude, actually no! My dentist told me once that the acid from vomit makes your teeth soft, so if you brush right away, you can damage the enamel. She said just rinse with water or mouthwash, and brush after some time. It's kinda gross to wait but better for your teeth!

This is one of those things that really makes me overthink! I used to always brush immediately, but then I read about the enamel erosion. It feels wrong not to, but protecting your teeth is important. So yeah, rinse, don't brush right away. Hope you're feeling better soon!