We all know that brushing our teeth twice a day for two minutes keeps our teeth in tip-top condition. However, did you know that the time you choose to brush your teeth can benefit or harm them?
Dr Vikas Prinja, known to his 264,000 TikTok followers as @thelondondentist, has clarified why it’s not a good idea to brush your teeth after breakfast. While it may seem like the perfect time (since your teeth will be fresh after the meal), you could actually be doing more harm than good.
The dental surgeon explained: “If you don’t brush your teeth before breakfast, you could be ruining them. When you sleep, your body’s production of saliva decreases and saliva is what protects your teeth from bacteria.
“This means that bacteria in your mouth multiply overnight. If you eat in the morning before brushing your teeth, you are also feeding those bacteria and they excrete acid that causes tooth decay.
“You guessed it, if you brush immediately after eating, you’re rubbing those acids into your teeth, causing tooth wear that leads to sensitivity and thinner, yellower teeth.”
According to The Mirror, tooth decay may not cause symptoms at first, but if it gets worse it can lead to painful problems such as toothache or visible white, brown or black spots on the teeth. The approach to treating tooth decay depends on its severity.
In the early stages of tooth decay, your dentist may recommend fluoride treatments, such as mouthwashes or polishes, to help reverse the damage. If the decay has progressed further and caused a cavity, a filling may be necessary.
In cases where the decay has penetrated deeper into the tooth, a root canal treatment may be necessary. However, there are cases where the tooth is too damaged to be saved and must be removed.
Dr. Prinja offered tips to avoid these dental problems: “Ideally, brush your teeth before breakfast and then use mouthwash after meals to remove any small food debris and not feed those bacteria.”
