We’re all aware that brushing our teeth twice a day for two minutes keeps our teeth in prime condition. However, did you realise that the time you choose to brush can help or harm your teeth?
Dr Vikas Prinja, who is known to his 264,000 TikTok followers as @thelondondentist, has shed light on why it’s not a great idea to brush after breakfast. While it may seem like the perfect time – given that your teeth will then be fresh post-meal – it could actually be doing more harm than good.
The dental surgeon explained: “If you’re not brushing your teeth before breakfast then you could be ruining your teeth. When you sleep, your body’s saliva production decreases and saliva is what protects your teeth against bacteria.
“This means that the bacteria in your mouth have a field day and multiply overnight. If you eat in the morning before brushing your teeth, you’re also feeding that bacteria and they excrete acid which causes tooth decay.
“You’ve guessed it, if you brush immediately after eating, you’re rubbing those acids into the teeth causing tooth wear which leads to sensitivity and thinner, yellower teeth.”
The Mirror reported that tooth decay may not initially cause any symptoms but if it worsens, it can lead to painful issues such as toothache or noticeable white/brown/black spots on your tooth. The approach to treating tooth decay depends on its severity.
For early stages of decay, a dentist might recommend fluoride treatments such as mouthwash or varnish to help reverse the damage. If the decay has progressed further and resulted in a cavity, a filling may be necessary.
In cases where the decay has penetrated deeper into the tooth, a root canal procedure could be required. There are instances, however, when the tooth is too damaged to save and must be extracted.
Dr Prinja offered advice to avert such dental issues, said: “Ideally brush before breakfast and then use mouthwash after meals to wash away any little bits of food so you’re not feeding that bacteria.”