If it works better for your morning routine to brush after breakfast, you may continue to do so; however, keep the following information in mind. Brushing your teeth immediately after breakfast may actually coat them with acidic food residue, thereby weakening the enamel. The following breakfast staples are among the worst for tooth enamel:
- Orange juice
- citrus fruit
- dried fruit
- bread
- pastries
Therefore, brushing your teeth immediately following breakfast may be particularly damaging to their health. Waiting 30 minutes to an hour after a meal to brush your teeth is the best way to protect your enamel and prevent damage to your teeth. The American Dental Association suggests waiting sixty minutes after eating before brushing, particularly after consuming acidic foods.
Can one brush their teeth after breakfast?
We respond to the question, “Should I brush my teeth before or after breakfast?” Hi, Dustin! It depends on the appearance of your breakfast. If your breakfast consists of foods and beverages with a high sugar or carbohydrate content, such as sugary cereals and apple juice, brushing after a meal can help reduce oral bacteria and prevent tooth decay.
However, if you plan to consume something acidic, such as grapefruit, pineapple, orange juice, or even coffee, you should brush your teeth before breakfast. This is because acid attacks your teeth after you eat, causing tooth enamel to deteriorate. It takes saliva approximately 30 to 45 minutes to remineralize and restore the enamel to its original state.
Brushing your teeth too soon can cause damage to the enamel while it is temporarily weakened. Instead of brushing your teeth after breakfast, consider rinsing with water to remove acids. If you already brush your teeth after breakfast, you should wait at least a half-hour to prevent tooth damage.
If you brush your teeth immediately after eating, you may scrape off the weakened enamel, allowing the acid to penetrate deeper into the teeth. If you’ve brushed your teeth with fluoride toothpaste before breakfast, you’ll have an added layer of defense against this acid attack.
Why should you not brush your teeth following a meal?
Brushing immediately following a meal? You may want to wait. Everyone has heard that it is best to brush their teeth after eating. But did you know that in some instances it is best to delay brushing, at least temporarily?, DDS, assistant professor of dental medicine at Columbia University’s College of Dental Medicine, recommends delaying brushing after consuming anything acidic, such as fruit, soda, juice, or sour candy.
When acids are present in the mouth, they weaken the tooth enamel, which is the outermost layer of the tooth, explains Rolle. Brushing the teeth immediately after consuming something acidic can damage the tooth enamel. Waiting approximately 30 minutes before brushing permits tooth enamel to remineralize and rebuild.
However, according to Dr. Rolle, you can do something to help your teeth in the interim. “I always recommend drinking or rinsing with water after consuming something acidic, which initiates the remineralization of the enamel.”
