Brushing Before or After Your Breakfast…Which is Best for Healthy, Beautiful Teeth

We have all been taught to brush our teeth twice a day, after breakfast and before bed, but is it possibly better to change up our morning routine and add brushing our teeth before we eat our breakfast?

Dentists are recommending that we do just that.  Make brushing part of our morning routine before breakfast. Let’s explore the science behind this recommendation. 

Brushing your teeth before breakfast removes the bacteria that built up overnight. Pre- brushing before we eat eliminates the germs that feed on the sugars in our food.  Brushing prior to eating also coats our teeth with a protective fluoride found in most toothpastes and reduces the de-mineralization of our tooth enamel when exposed to acidic foods and drinks.

Our breakfast foods such as oranges, orange juice, coffee paired with pastries, muffins, jam and bread all contribute to an environment perfect for dental erosion. When we eat our mouth moves into an acidic state, the first process for ingesting food and digestion.  Acids erode tooth enamel, therefore brushing immediately after eating spreads the acids throughout the mouth thus eroding the weakening the tooth enamel. 

If you prefer brushing after breakfast, first rinse your mouth with water to neutralize the ph balance and wait 15-20 minutes before brushing. This is extremely important when eating citrus fruits and juices.

The best routine for you depends on your personal preference and lifestyle.  However, brushing before breakfast is generally observed as a safer option for protecting your teeth.  Strong dental health habits contribute to healthy teeth and beautiful smiles.

Plainsboro Dental Care is accepting new patients.  Give us a call to schedule your check-up today at 609-799-4422.