Brushing your teeth is risky business

For those of you who have had any experience with morning sickness, you probably remember all too well how truly risky it is to brush your teeth!  Things can be going fairly well - a little nausea here and there, you've satisfied your empty tummy, and then it's time to brush the teeth.  The thought alone can paralyze. So, with all the safety measures of a nuclear power plant, you tip-toe into the bathroom, afraid a glimpse of the dental tool alone will send you running for the commode. Do the bristles seem longer today?

Now it's time to apply the toothpaste.  This is a mental struggle. Too much is a sure stimulant of the gag reflex, but too little won't do the job.  You opt for a half a pea instead of a whole pea.  It's not enough, but you justify it, thinking the acid from your stomach would be worse on your teeth. 

Using the same mental blocks you normally reserve for natural labor, accompanied by a few breathing exercises, you begin to move the toothbrush back and forth, looking forward to the silky smooth feel of a clean mouth, but cautiously optimistic that you will get that far.  The front teeth are easy as pie.  It's those darn molars, hidden way back in the far reaches of your oral cavity that are the greatest challenge.  And forget about getting the germs off your tongue.  That's a guaranteed toilet trip, assuming you make it that far fast enough.  

Before you can even think about the three minutes your dentist encouraged you to spend on your pearly whites, you spit, rinse and get out!  

Ahhh, another successful brush. Congratulations. You've mastered one of the greatest hurdles of the first trimester.