According to the American Dental Association (ADA), you should brush your teeth at least twice daily. However, those guidelines do not tell you exactly when you should be brushing. Most people brush their teeth when they wake up in the morning and before going to bed at night. Some people brush before breakfast, while others do it after.
This raises the question of whether you should have your breakfast before brushing your teeth or not. Some people do not like the taste of fluoride in their mouth when drinking their coffee or orange juice in the morning. But that may be the right thing for your oral health. For more queries regarding this, talk to a dentist from Alpine Dental Center.
Why you should brush your teeth before breakfast
There is a scientific logic behind why you should brush your teeth before breakfast. When you sleep, the plaque-causing bacteria in your mouth multiply during the night, which is why you wake up with bad breath or “morning breath.” Brushing your teeth first thing in the morning washes out this bacteria.
Additionally, brushing your teeth creates a protective barrier over your enamel and prepares your mouth for the food you are going to eat the entire day. This protective layer protects your teeth from corrosion if you eat or drink something acidic. It is also advised not to brush your teeth for at least 30 minutes after brushing.
Is it still okay to brush your teeth after brushing?
For some people, it makes more sense for their routine to brush their teeth after breakfast. While it is okay to do so, you should be careful not to wear down your protective enamel layer. To avoid eroding your teeth, you should avoid the following breakfast options:
- Dried fruit
- Pastries
- Bread
- Fruit Juice
- Citrus fruit
Some good breakfast options if you like brushing after eating include omelets, whole grain cereals, and yogurt. Even with these breakfast options, you should still wait 30 minutes to an hour before brushing to avoid damaging your teeth.
Proper ways to brush your teeth
Now that you know what is good and bad for your teeth, it is essential to know the correct way to brush.
- Wet your toothbrush bristles and take a pea-sized amount of toothpaste.
- Brush your teeth at an angle of 45 degrees to reach the hard areas. Make sure you brush for at least two minutes.
- Clean your tongue to get rid of bacteria.
- Spit out the remaining toothpaste and rinse your mouth.
