Most people would think that it only seems right to brush your teeth straight after breakfast to keep your breath fresh. Even Kiefer Family Dental knows that this is what has been taught for years. But now, dentists are saying this could be dangerous by damaging your teeth, as well as taking away the white sparkle. Why do they think this?
In fact, brushing minutes after any meal is a bad idea say some experts. The thought is, that the enamel that coats the teeth is temporarily weakened after eating due to the acids present in food. By brushing right after you eat, you risk damaging it. Foods and beverages that are high in acids wear away the enamel that protects your teeth, a process known as tooth erosion.
This changes the appearance of your teeth by making them more prone to staining and opens the door for bacteria that can cause decay. Wearing the enamel down, which is permanent, can also cause sensitivity. The tooth’s enamel is important because it’s one of the body’s barriers protecting teeth. It cannot be restored so it’s vital to look after it.
So When Should You Brush, if Not After Eating?
It’s an age-old debate, that doesn’t actually matter whether you brush before or after eating. It’s actually the amount of time you wait between activities. You should wait at least thirty minutes after eating before you brush your teeth, or at least ten minutes before you eat, to ensure the active ingredients in the toothpaste have had a chance to do their job and protect the teeth, and so that your enamel is hardened.
Instead of brushing your teeth after you eat, you could instead just rinse with water, as this removes residue from the teeth. Many dentists have taken to social media to discuss this new information. When you eat breakfast your mouth becomes acidic. So what you’re doing when you brush your teeth after breakfast is brushing the acid into the tooth and this wears away the enamel.
One of the things that helps, is that bacteria stays on the teeth overnight. Brushing before breakfast leads to fresh breath and cavity prevention. But don’t brush right after eating, especially if you’ve had something acidic like fizzy drinks.
It’s also advised to avoid constant snacking because this creates a constant acidic environment in the mouth. Eating anything sugary or acidic as part of a meal and not snacking in between meals, can cause the teeth to have to endure more acid attacks.
We at Kiefer Family Dental hope that this information about when to brush in the morning is helpful. Perhaps you learned something you didn’t know that was detrimental to your oral health. The office of Kiefer Family Dental provides the best in modern dentistry for individuals and families should you have any problems from the list.
Our highly-qualified dentists and gentle hygienists work hard to combine knowledge and skill with the latest in technology to give our patients the best possible dental outcomes. With services ranging from periodontal therapy, oral surgery. dental implants, dentures and even being set up for Invisalign clear braces, Kiefer Family Dental is your Evansville, Indiana A+ dental choice. Call (812) 424-9506 or use the website to book an appointment online.
