Brushing your teeth properly is very important step in your oral hygiene routine. Taking care of your teeth helps prevent cavities and gum disease.
But, sometimes, if you brushing your teeth at the wrong time, it could potentially sabotage your efforts to maintain healthy and strong pearly whites. Dentist recommend brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day, but in the morning before breakfast, and before going to bed. While it might feel tempted to refresh your breath right after breakfast, don’t do it, because many common breakfast foods and drinks might soften your enamel, causing you to unintentionally damage it.
Here is what can happen if you are brushing your teeth right after having a meal:
It damages your enamel
Brushing your teeth after eating helps fight bacteria and protect your enamel from damage, but in some cases, it can work against you. It is highly recommend holding off on brushing after consuming anything acidic, whether it’s fruit, soda, juice, or sour candy. The enamel of the tooth, which is the outer layer of the tooth, weakens when acids are present in the mouth. So, if you can’t wait to brush your teeth right after heaving a meal, wait at least 30 minutes, to allow tooth enamel to remineralize and build itself back up. This way, you keep your teeth healthy.
Your teeth’s color may change
Although enamel is the hardest tissue in the human body, brushing right after eating can in some cases damage it, which protects your teeth. When the enamel isn’t as strong as it’s supposed to be, it can affect your teeth in many ways and make them more vulnerable to staining.
Your teeth may become more sensitive
After consuming something cold or hot, it’s very likely to feel a sudden sharp pain, that might be a sign that your teeth are overly sensitive. Tooth sensitivity can happen for various reasons, and one of them is weak or damaged tooth enamel. Brushing your teeth right after eating certain foods can increase tooth sensitivity.
Remember, don’t rush and brush your teeth after every meal. Brushing your teeth right after waking up can help you feel more refreshed in the morning and also kick-start your saliva production. Your saliva’s antimicrobial agents make it easier to break down food and naturally kill the harmful bacteria that cause tooth decay. Still, it is very important to keep your dental health, by brushing your teeth twice a day, and ideally once in the morning, before having a breakfast and once before bed.