Brushing your teeth at least twice a day is vital for your oral health. This habit reduces harmful oral bacteria, prevents decay and gum infections, and allows you to enjoy fresh breath. Ideally, you should brush each morning and each evening. But when it comes to your morning routine, a question arises: Should you brush before or after you eat breakfast? This blog post can help you determine which is better.
The Advantages of Brushing Before Breakfast
Many people are surprised to learn that brushing before breakfast is actually the smarter choice in most cases. Doing your oral hygiene routine first thing after you wake up has at least three big advantages:
- Get rid of overnight bacteria. As you sleep, harmful oral bacteria can multiply. Brushing reduces their numbers and lets you start the day with a fresh smile.
- Coat your teeth with fluoride. Fluoride provides a healthy boost to your tooth enamel, fortifying it against the foods you will eat throughout the day.
- Protect your teeth from erosion. After a night of sleep, your enamel is not actively being attacked by acids from foods and drinks. If you were to brush with acids still active on your enamel, even this good habit could contribute to erosion.
What if You Prefer to Brush After Breakfast?
“But,” you might say, “I want to have fresh breath after my breakfast and coffee. That is why I like to brush my teeth later in the morning.” That is a valid concern! Indeed, brushing after breakfast can allow you to go to work with a confident smile — no need to worry about coffee breath or food stuck in your teeth. However, while brushing after breakfast is not necessarily bad, there is a big caution to keep in mind.
You should wait at least 30 – 60 minutes to brush your teeth after you eat breakfast, especially if your morning meal includes acidic items like coffee, orange juice, or fruits. These foods temporarily weaken your teeth, so you should allow time for your enamel to reharden before you brush. If you really cannot wait that long, you should at least thoroughly rinse your mouth with water and chew some sugar-free gum prior to brushing.
Side note: Some people choose to brush both before and after breakfast. This is fine. Just be sure to keep the 30 – 60 minute rule in mind for your after-breakfast routine.
Want to optimize your oral hygiene routine? Try to brush before your morning meal every day!
Meet the Practice
Dr. Zac Young is a highly skilled dentist who is proud to serve the Palos Heights community. Under his leadership, our team offers a broad range of services, including preventive checkups and cleanings. If you would like tips on your daily oral hygiene routine, we would be happy to speak with you! To learn more about us or to request an appointment, contact Revival Dentistry at 708-448-4161.