River Walk Dental Orthodontics

1431 Palo Alto Rd, Suite 104, San Antonio, TX 78211

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Dental hygiene tips for healthy teeth & gums

Should you brush before or after breakfast

Have you also been a part of a debate discussing the right brush timings with your friends or family? Or have you faced allegations of being called a lazy human, when you picked your brush after breakfast? Well, everyone has a different version of a perfect routine. You have yours. However, you should have a good knowledge of a few things affecting your health, so that you keep it at the best state. Dental hygiene is one of those important aspects.

Does the brushing time matter?

Food, especially those which are rich in carbohydrates and sugars generates bacteria that form plaque which then strike your tooth enamel and damage them further. So, brushing your teeth after consuming them may save your teeth from this damage.

However, you must also consider that brushing your teeth just post eating can be harmful to your tooth enamel. Want to know why? Your breakfast is generally having some acid in it, and acidic foods weaken the enamel. In this state, it is advised not to brush the teeth for at least 30 minutes after breakfast. As the brushing may harm the enamel in its weakened state.

Hence along with following the guidelines to keep away the acidic and sugary food, you must also know about the ideal dental hygiene regarding them.

Thus, what time you brush can surely make a difference in your dental health.

Why should you prefer brushing before breakfast?

Now, many people speak of options like skipping breakfast. But, that is not a healthy option as the morning breakfast contributes effectively to regulating your metabolism. Instead, you should try taking foods that have a good calcium amount as they are kind on your teeth. Also, foods with vitamin A and C will give you healthy gums.

The right time for brushing is thus, when you wake up in the morning, before having your breakfast. This is because it will remove the plaque formed by the food overnight. The bacteria existing in your mouth in the night also causes bad morning breath, which seems an addition to it. Brushing before breakfast will ensure the good health of your teeth and prepare them for the day.

You might now think how you will remove the taste of the morning breakfast and feel fresh. Well, for that, you can just have a glass of water after the food. Fluoride Mouthwashes are also a solution to it, provide you use them adequately. Choose the correct time like post-lunch and avoid consuming anything for 30 minutes then. These will wash the sugar and acids you consumed. Nonetheless, anyhow, if you still want to brush your teeth post-breakfast; remember to wait for 20-30 minutes after you eat the food. Only then, pick your brush, so that you prevent the hardest part of your body (enamel) from weakening.

So, brushing teeth twice a day definitely keeps them healthy, provided you do it at the right time. For mornings the right time is before your breakfast.

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