You would probably be aware of the fact that it is medically recommended to brush at least twice a day. However, you may not know that there has been ongoing confusion regarding when you should brush your teeth in the morning. Some people do it before breakfast, while others prefer it after breakfast. Every person has a different answer and opinion.
However, it is important to know what the dentists suggest. Brushing before or after breakfast may not matter to everyone, but it helps to know what the better option is. You may not want to wait until you brush your teeth to have your morning coffee, but it might be the best thing for your teeth. For more information, visit a Dedham, MA dental practice today.
When should you brush your teeth?
When you brush your teeth in the morning, you remove the bacteria formed by food particles and residue left in your mouth while you are sleeping. Plaque uses food particles to produce more bacteria. Therefore, if you already have plaque accumulated in your mouth and you have your breakfast before brushing your teeth, it could damage your enamel.
On the other hand, some people are of the opinion that it is better to have your breakfast and then brush your teeth so that you can remove the food from their teeth too. However, brushing right after having a meal or eating something acidic can cause enamel erosion. It is recommended to wait at least 30 minutes to allow your enamel to remineralize and build itself back up.
Precautions for brushing teeth after breakfast
If you like brushing your teeth after breakfast, you should do so while following some precautions. Firstly, you should not brush within 30 minutes of eating your breakfast as it may weaken your enamel.
Additionally, here are some breakfast staples which are bad for your tooth enamel:
- bread
- pastries
- orange juice
- citrus fruit
- dried fruit
If you eat one or more of these items, brushing after breakfast may not be a good decision for your oral health.
Oral health guidelines
In addition to brushing your teeth at the right times, here are some oral health guidelines:
- Floss once a day.
- Rinse with mouthwash at least once a day.
- Eat a balanced diet.
- Minimize sugar intake.
- Do not binge on snacks.
- Replace your toothbrush every six months or whenever the bristles wear out.
- Make appointments for routine checkups and cleanings at the dentist.
