Teeth cleaning (iStock)
Teeth should be brushed at least twice a day, for at least two minutes each time, to maintain healthy teeth and mouth, according to dentists.
Brushing is part of the morning routine for many, but there is always some disagreement about the right time to do it.
When should we brush our teeth?
Although brushing after breakfast may make more sense, dentists say it is better to brush your teeth before eating breakfast than after, according to Healthline.
Dr Sam Jethwa, Vice President of the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, explains: “Brushing your teeth before breakfast not only helps remove plaque buildup from your teeth, but it also helps in the production of saliva. Saliva also helps kill bacteria in your mouth.”
Plaque-causing bacteria multiply in the mouth throughout the night, leading to an unpleasant taste and somewhat bad breath.
A 2018 study also found that saliva production increases for five minutes after brushing teeth, and according to Dr. Jethwa, brushing teeth immediately after an early meal can harm your dental health. “If you brush your teeth too soon after breakfast, you may cause more damage to the enamel at a time when it is at its weakest,” he said.
Fluoride toothpastes help ward off acids in foods, according to Dr Alan Clarke, lead dentist at Paste Dental in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
brushing teeth
Harmful cleaning
“Brushing before breakfast helps remove these bacteria and the acidic environment that can damage tooth enamel,” he added, pointing out that brushing after a glass of orange juice is like brushing your teeth with acid and bacteria.
In a clearer sense, when you eat your meal, your mouth becomes acidic. So, what you’re doing when you brush your teeth after iftar is you’re brushing with acid and that wears away the enamel. Also, teeth are more susceptible to acid damage from bacteria when you wake up in the morning, when calcium levels in saliva are at their lowest.
And if you brush your teeth after breakfast, the “Healthline” report recommends waiting at least half an hour because it is “the best way to ensure that your teeth are protected and that you don’t mess with the enamel.”
