There is no doubt that brushing your teeth is one of the most important steps in your oral hygiene routine. But doing it at the wrong time can, in some cases, sabotage all of your efforts to keep your white teeth healthy and strong.
While it may seem tempting to freshen your breath right after breakfast, it’s best to brush your teeth first thing in the morning, as many common breakfast foods can soften your enamel and cause unwanted damage.
We know that some people prefer to brush their teeth before breakfast, while others do it right after eating. And we decided to find out what can happen if you brush your teeth immediately after breakfast.
Should I Brush My Teeth Before or After Breakfast?
It Might Damage Your Enamel
Brushing your teeth after eating helps fight bacteria and protects your enamel from damage, but in some cases, it can work the other way around.
When you eat or drink something acidic, such as orange juice, grapefruit juice, or lemon water, the citric acid in these foods can temporarily soften tooth enamel, and brushing immediately after eating can weaken enamel.
If you like to drink a glass of orange juice or add a slice of lemon to your breakfast water, it’s best not to brush your teeth for about 30 minutes afterward to avoid damaging your enamel. And if you don’t have much time in the morning, it makes more sense to brush your teeth before breakfast.
It May Affect The Color Of Your Teeth
Your enamel protects your teeth, and although it is the hardest tissue in the human body, brushing it right after eating can, in some cases, damage it. When enamel isn’t as strong as it should be, it can affect your teeth in many ways and make them more vulnerable to staining.
It Might Make Your Teeth More Sensitive
If you’ve ever felt a sudden sharp pain when consuming something hot or cold, this could be a sign that your teeth are too sensitive. Tooth sensitivity can occur for a number of reasons, one of which is weak tooth enamel.
Since brushing your teeth immediately after eating certain foods can increase tooth sensitivity, it’s best to avoid this unpleasant side effect by brushing your teeth before eating.
Brushing Before You Eat Increases Your Saliva Production
Brushing your teeth right after you get up helps you feel fresher in the morning and also stimulates saliva production. As your saliva contains antimicrobial agents, it helps break down food more easily and naturally kills the harmful bacteria responsible for tooth decay.
Do you brush your teeth before or after breakfast?
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