Brushing Teeth Before or After Breakfast

CLINICAL CONTENT WRITTEN & REVIEWED BY CLOVE CLINICAL TEAM

Last Modified: October 14, 2022

FACT CHECKED

Many people clean their teeth at the same time each day to develop a regular brushing routine. The norm for most individuals seems to be to brush in the morning and once again right before bed. Brushing becomes regular when using this straightforward programme. But what if you have been performing your daily ritual incorrectly by cleaning your teeth first?

For the longevity of your tooth enamel and general oral hygiene, several professionals advise brushing before breakfast as it is the best time to brush your teeth. Even though no one enjoys drinking their morning orange juice with fluoride still in their mouth, doing so could be beneficial for your teeth.

Healthy dental practices help you retain the radiance of your smile and the health of your teeth. It is advised to brush your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes each time to maintain them healthy and cavity-free. This article will examine the suggestion that it is healthier for your teeth if you brush before or after breakfast.

Why is Brushing Before Breakfast a Good Idea?

This question could have a scientific solution. While you’re sleeping, germs in your mouth that cause plaque proliferate. You could get “morning breath” and a “mossy” taste as a result, in part. Plaque and germs may be removed from your teeth by using fluoride toothpaste. Additionally, the benefits of brushing teeth before breakfast are that it provides a layer of defence against acid from meals to protect your enamel.

If you eat something acidic, you should wait at least 30 minutes before cleaning your teeth. Toast, citrus, and coffee are examples of breakfast items that meet the definition of acidic food. The best time to brush your teeth is in the morning as saliva production is boosted when you brush first thing in the morning. Saliva aids in the digestion of meals and naturally eliminates dangerous oral germs.

How Should you Brush your Teeth Properly?

After the brush before or after breakfast question. The way you brush your teeth is as crucial as when you brush, if not more so. You can adhere to the procedures below whether you’re using an electric toothbrush or a typical manual toothbrush with nylon bristles:

You should lubricate your brush head by lightly wetting it. A pea-sized quantity of fluoride toothpaste should be added.
Brush your teeth at an agle of 45 degrees to access hard-to-reach areas. Make sure you brush for two minutes, paying particular attention to the chewing surface, sides, and front teeth.
Clean your tongue of any bacteria that may have collected while you were brushing.
Any toothpaste that remains in your mouth, spit it out.

In addition to the benefits of brushing teeth, follow these guidelines to maintain oral health:

Floss each day
After brushing and flossing, rinse with mouthwash.
Take in a lot of water.
Eat a balanced diet and minimizing sugary food and drinks
Limit your intake of snacks.
Every three to four months, or sooner if the bristles are crooked or spread, replace your toothbrush.
Make appointments for routine X-rays and cleanings at the dentist.

Following Breakfast, Precautions to Take after Brushing Teeth

People who clean their teeth after breakfast have a larger likelihood of plaque and germs mixing with their pancakes, waffles, cereal, milk, coffee, and orange juice. Therefore, when you wake up in the morning, consider getting your toothbrush before your cup of coffee as it is the best time to brush your teeth. At your subsequent dental examination, you could notice a change.

You can still brush after breakfast if it works better for your morning routine, but have the following in mind. Instead of strengthening your enamel, brushing just after breakfast may leave behind acidic food residue on your teeth. Breakfast staples like the following are among those that are detrimental to your teeth’s enamel:

Citrous fruit
Orange juice
Dried fruit
Bread
Pastries

Therefore, cleaning your teeth shortly after breakfast may be extremely harmful to them. The best strategy to guarantee that you’re protecting your teeth and not interfering with your enamel is to wait for 30 to an hour after eating before brushing your teeth.

It is advised by dental professionals to wait 60 minutes after eating before brushing your teeth, especially after consuming acidic meals. After a meal, rinse your mouth with water or chew sugar-free gum to clean your teeth before brushing.

Conclusion

Cleaning your teeth as soon as you wake up in the morning is the best time to brush your teeth rather than brushing your teeth after breakfast if you want to preserve your tooth enamel. If you must clean your teeth after breakfast, attempt to wait 30 to 60 minutes before doing so. When you can, clean your teeth in the morning, but even skipping a morning brushing is preferable to not brushing at all.

The greatest place to go if you need further assistance with dental health is Clove Dental. They have the best-qualified professionals who can easily point you on the path of good dental health while making sure you have a simple and worthwhile experience with their services.