What is the best time to brush your teeth? Is there a best time, or does it make no difference? Should you brush before or after you eat? To help you answer questions like these, we’re happy to give you a few ideas.
People typically prefer to brush their teeth right after they eat to remove the bacterium that causes bad breath and to remove excess food particles. However, the sugars we eat become acid on our teeth. This is a natural occurrence, and you may think the best thing you could do is remove the acid as quickly as possible. However, please don’t. The acid will weaken your enamel, and brushing while your enamel is weakened may damage your teeth. We recommend waiting to brush for at least half an hour after you eat so your enamel will have time to harden again.
In reality, it is completely safe to brush your teeth anytime before a meal, but it can be unpleasant, because the flavor of the food can affect the taste of your food. If you do decide to brush your teeth before you eat, you may want to consider chewing gum, eating an apple, or using mouthwash to stimulate saliva and remove excess food debris.
So, if you brush right after you wake up and once right before you go to bed, that’s perfectly fine. Just remember to give your enamel thirty minutes to harden before brushing. Similarly, if you decide to brush after lunch, please allow the same time allotment.
If you are worried about your enamel, we recommend talking to your dentist. There are a few options available for strengthening your enamel and protecting your teeth. To learn more, please feel free to contact us today.