Have you ever been doing the mundane task of brushing your teeth, and suddenly-hic! Not just once, twice, but thrice, and oh no, here we go again. What exactly is it about brushing your teeth that makes your body protest with a bad bout of hiccups?
In this blog, we will learn about this annoying phenomenon that happens when brushing your teeth and how to prevent it. Additionally, we will also discuss how to stop hiccups and when they are serious. Let’s get into it and delve more into this strange quirk.
Why Do Hiccups Happen?
Singultus, commonly known as hiccups, starts in the diaphragm. WebMD defines the diaphragm as the dome-shaped muscle between the lungs and stomach. So, hiccups come from a reaction much lower in the body than you might have thought.
Renowned family dentist at Ace Dental, Aditi Gupta, D.D.S explains, “The diaphragm is the muscle that divides the chest and abdomen; it’s essential in the body’s breathing function. Some triggers can cause this muscle to repeatedly contract involuntarily, which we call hiccups.”
Hiccups are usually identified by their characteristic ‘hic’ sound; however, for some people, they are soundless. The exact cause of hiccups is not known. However, they have been linked to triggers like overeating, carbonated beverages like soda, abrupt temperature change, and extreme emotions.
The triggers are linked to phrenic and vagus nerve irritation, which controls the diaphragm movement. So, if you do something that affects these nerves, you’ll likely get hiccups.
The Link Between Hiccups and Brushing Teeth
However, what is it about brushing your teeth that causes hiccups? You might observe this phenomenon repeatedly whenever you attempt to brush your teeth. There are two main reasons why this happens.
1. The Act of Brushing
Brushing your teeth can cause you to swallow too much air or accidentally irritate the throat or diaphragm. Another way brushing your teeth can cause hiccups is if you brush too roughly or stimulate your gag reflex while brushing; it can cause your diaphragm to spasm.
2. The Toothpaste
Dr. Gupta, D.D.S., says that your toothpaste might be the culprit when it comes to getting hiccups every time you brush, “One of the reasons why hiccups occur when brushing your teeth is the acid-base reaction when toothpaste reacts with the acidic environment of the stomach.”
If you accidentally swallow toothpaste while brushing, while it doesn’t have any acidic qualities, it can cause a reaction in the stomach, producing gas and expanding it. This expansion presses against the diaphragm and triggers hiccups.
How Do I Stop Hiccups When Brushing Teeth?
Now that you know why this frustrating issue occurs, you can use several strategies to prevent it from happening again. Here’s what you can do:
1. Take Breaks
Taking one or two breaks while brushing your teeth might reduce your tendency to swallow air or irritate your diaphragm. You can follow this by taking a deep breath to relax the muscle, reducing the likelihood of diaphragm spasms.
2. Hold Your Breath
A little hack you can use to stop hiccups when they start is to hold your breath. Temporarily holding your breath can raise your blood’s carbon dioxide (CO2) levels.
The increase in CO2 might cause the body to stop the diaphragm contractions, so your hiccups will effectively stop. It can also help by stimulating your vagus nerve and acting as a distraction against the discomfort of hiccups.
3. Use Room Temperature Water
Sometimes, using too hot or cold water while brushing your teeth can lead to hiccups. Sudden changes in temperature in your mouth or throat can irritate your diaphragm and cause it to spasm.
4. Don’t Brush Directly Post-Meal
Consuming carbonated beverages or spicy foods might make you more likely to get hiccups while brushing your teeth. Waiting after meals can prevent hiccups.
5. Consider a Smaller Toothbrush
Using a toothbrush with a big head and long bristles can stimulate your gag reflex, leading to diaphragm spasms. A smaller toothbrush can help prevent this issue and smooth the brushing process.
Alternate Reasons that May Be Causing Hiccups
Hiccups can happen for many reasons and may not always be linked to brushing teeth. Something else might be at play if they are a recurrent problem for you. The Mayo Clinic says that for most people, hiccups last for only a few minutes; however, in some cases, they can indicate a serious medical issue. They can be a concern if they result in weight loss or extreme tiredness.
They can indicate acid reflux or a side effect of some medications like anesthetics or steroids. More seriously, they can be an indication of nerve damage, strokes, or tumors for some people. However, if you only experience hiccups when brushing your teeth, chances are that it’s not something serious.
When Are Hiccups Serious?
While hiccups can be comical to observe or experience, persistent hiccups can interrupt one’s life and cause distress. The Cleveland Clinic says experts have classified hiccups according to their length.
They can be transient hiccups lasting a few seconds or minutes. Persistent hiccups lasting longer than 48 hours or up to a month, or intractable hiccups lasting longer than an entire month. Recurrent hiccups, which are quite common, keep returning, with each episode longing to last longer than the last.
If you have hiccups that make your daily life difficult or are accompanied by these symptoms, you should see a medical professional.
● Abdominal Pain
● Difficulty In Breathing
● Fever
● Vomiting
● Coughing Up Blood
Takeaway
Hiccups are usually humorous interruptions in our daily lives. However, hiccups that occur every time you brush your teeth might make it discouraging to continue with your daily routine. So, you must get to the bottom of it.
Carefully consider all the factors involved in your brushing routine. The culprit could be a spicy diet, carbonated sodas in your dinner, inhaling air, or swallowing toothpaste. It all depends on your individual scenario; you must understand why this issue occurs so you can continue brushing your teeth stress-free.
