Dentists advise that teeth should be brushed at least twice a day, for at least two minutes each time, to maintain healthy teeth and mouth.
Brushing teeth 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 your teeth after breakfast may make more sense, dentists say it’s best to brush your teeth before breakfast rather than after.
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.”
According to Healthline, plaque-causing bacteria multiply in the mouth throughout the night, leading to a “mossy” taste and somewhat bad breath.
A 2018 study also found that saliva production increases for five minutes after brushing.
According to Dr. Jethwa, brushing teeth immediately after eating an early meal can be detrimental to the health of your teeth. “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 before breakfast helps remove these bacteria and the acidic environment that can damage tooth enamel,” he added.
And Clark continued that brushing your teeth 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 do when you brush your teeth after iftar is brush the teeth with acid and this removes the enamel. Your teeth are also more susceptible to acid damage from bacteria when you wake up in the morning when calcium levels in your saliva are at their lowest.
And if you brush your teeth after breakfast, Healthline advises waiting at least half an hour because it’s “the best way to ensure your teeth are protected and you don’t mess with the enamel.”
