The American Dental Association
has long recommended brushing your teeth twice a day for a full 2 minutes both
times. But what these guidelines don't recommend is when, exactly, to do your
brushing.
Many people brush their teeth simultaneously each day to establish
a regular brushing habit. Brushing in the morning and before bedtime seems to
be the standard for most people. Brushing has become a habit with this simple
schedule.
But what if you've been brushing your teeth at the wrong part of
your morning routine?
Some experts say brushing before eating breakfast is vastly more
beneficial for your tooth enamel and overall oral health.
While no one wants to sip their morning orange juice with the
taste of fluoride still in their mouth, it may be the best thing for your
teeth.
This article will look into the advice that brushing your teeth as
soon as you wake up, instead of after breakfast, is better for your teeth.
Why it may be better to brush before breakfast
There may be a scientific answer to this question. While you
sleep, plaque-causing bacteria in your mouth multiply. You could have a
"mossy" taste and "morning breath" when you wake up.
Washing those bacteria with fluoride toothpaste rids your teeth of
plaque and bacteria. It also coats your enamel with a protective barrier
against acid in your food.
You should avoid brushing your teeth after eating for at least 30
minutes if you consume something acidic. Breakfast foods and drinks such as
toast, citrus, and coffee fit the criteria for acidic food.
When you brush first thing in the morning, you also jump-start
your saliva production.
One small study of 21 older adults showed that study participants
saw their saliva production jump for up to 5 minutes after brushing. Saliva
helps digest food and naturally kills harmful bacteria in the mouth.
Precautions for brushing teeth after breakfast
If it works better for your morning routine to brush after
breakfast, you can still do so — but here's some information to keep in mind.
Brushing immediately after eating breakfast may cover your teeth
with remnants of acidic food, which weakens your enamel. Breakfast staples are
some of the worst foods for your tooth enamel, including:
- orange juice
- citrus fruit
- dried fruit
- bread
- pastries
So, brushing may be particularly bad for your teeth right after
breakfast.
Waiting 30 minutes to an hour after eating to brush your teeth is
best to protect your teeth and not tamper with your enamel.
The American Dental Association recommends you wait 60 minutes
after eating before you brush, especially after having acidic foods.
Drink water or chew sugar-free gum after eating to clean your
teeth before you brush.
How to brush your teeth
Brushing your teeth properly is as important as (if not more
critical) than when you brush.
Whether you're using an electric toothbrush or a standard manual
toothbrush with nylon bristles, you can follow the steps below:
- Wet your brush head with a small amount of water to lubricate it. A pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste should be added.
- Brush your teeth at an angle so you can get hard-to-reach spots. Brush for 2 minutes, ensuring you're brushing your front teeth, the sides of your teeth, and the chewing surface of your teeth.
- Brush off the bacterial residue from your tongue that may have accumulated during the brushing process.
- Spit out any leftover toothpaste.
Takeaway
Brushing your teeth right after waking up in the morning is better
than brushing your teeth after breakfast if you want to protect your tooth
enamel.
If you have to brush your teeth after breakfast, wait for 30 to 60
minutes before you brush.
Brushing in the morning, whenever you're able to do it, is better than skipping brushing your teeth.