Many of us brush our teeth twice a day for two minutes, as recommended by dentists around the world. However, many don’t realize that the timing of our brushing can also significantly affect our oral health.
Dr Vikas Prinja, known to his 264,000 TikTok followers as @thelondondentist, explains why it’s not a good idea to wait until after breakfast to get a quick dental cleaning. Despite seeming like the perfect time, it could actually be doing more harm than good, the Mirror reports.
The dental surgeon warns: “If you don’t brush your teeth before breakfast, you could be ruining them. When you go to sleep, the amount of saliva your body produces decreases and saliva is what protects your teeth from bacteria.”
“That means that bacteria in your mouth multiply overnight. If you eat in the morning before you brush your teeth, you’re also feeding those bacteria, which expel acid, which is what causes tooth decay.
“You guessed it, if you brush your teeth immediately after scrubbing, the acids wear away at them and that leads to sensitivity and thinner, yellower teeth.” At first, tooth decay may not show any symptoms, but if it gets worse, it can lead to problems like toothache or visible white, brown or black spots on your teeth.
The method for combating tooth decay varies depending on its severity, the Express reports. In the early stages, dentists may suggest fluoride treatments, such as mouthwashes or polishes, to help reverse the damage.
If the decay has progressed further and caused cavities, a filling may be necessary. In cases where the decay has penetrated deeper into the tooth, a root canal may be necessary.
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However, there are cases where the tooth is too badly damaged to be removed. Dr. Prinja offers a tip to avoid such dental disasters: “Ideally, brush your teeth before breakfast and use mouthwash after meals to remove food debris and not feed the bacteria.”
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