Have you ever wondered whether you ought to brush before or after breakfast? Most of us were told that eating without brushing teeth in the morning is a bad habit. But how much of it is true and what are the rules for brushing teeth in the morning?
Should you brush before or after breakfast ?
Experts suggest that brushing before you have your breakfast is more beneficial for your tooth enamel than after. This is because over the course of the night, bacteria that causes plaque build-up in your mouth multiply. Notice the foul taste and morning breath that you experience? Well, it is because of these bacteria.
Brushing your teeth right after you wake up with a good fluoride toothpaste means you remove all the plaque-causing bacteria. Moreover, you also provide a protective sheen over your tooth enamel when you go on to eat foods and meet acids.
Brushing your teeth in the morning before you eat breakfast also boosts the production of saliva in your mouth. Saliva plays a vital role in breaking down food and naturally kills bacteria that are harmful.
Can you brush after breakfast?
For those who don’t like the taste of fluoride in their mouth with their morning cup of coffee or tea and prefer brushing their teeth after breakfast, don’t worry there’s hope. You can brush even after breakfast but remember to keep in mind the below pointers:
Don’t brush immediately after eating your breakfast. Wait for at least 30 minutes after breakfast. This is because immediately brushing will, in fact, spread the acids in your food all over your mouth. And breakfast foods, which typically comprise orange juice, tea and coffee are quite acidic, and it’ll end up weakening your enamel.
Make sure to drink plenty of water after breakfast since you will be waiting 30 minutes to brush. This will help flush away any leftover food particles.
The consensus is that while it is ideal to brush your teeth in the morning before you eat breakfast, it is also okay to brush after you’ve eaten provided you adhere to the above guidelines.
Oral care tips:
For those who may now wonder about the basics of oral hygiene and how to follow basic habits like brushing, here’s a brief low-down.
Brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes.
Try the Oral-B Vitality Series Electric Toothbrush which oscillates and rotates between your teeth to remove more plaque than a manual toothbrush. It comes with an embedded timer that enables you to brush longer and provides a comprehensive cleaning.
Rinse your mouth with a good anti-bacterial mouthwash.
This will not just keep harmful bacteria, that grow on food particles that are left behind in your mouth, at bay but also protects your tooth enamel.
Dentist appointments.
Make sure to schedule regular appointments with your dentist for consistent check-ups and cleaning sessions, if required. Even if you don’t experience any pain or discomfort, having regular check-ups help identify any issues at a nascent stage.
Maintaining proper oral hygiene is important if you want to have a healthy mouth and smile. Brushing is the most basic step in your oral care routine and whether you opt to brush before or after your breakfast in the morning, remember to not skip this step!
