Bad Advice: Do You Need To Brush Your Teeth After Eating, Dentist Answers

We often hear during advertisements that we need to brush our teeth after every meal. But are they really giving us useful advice? Or do toothpaste manufacturers want to increase sales of their products? We will try to understand this issue with the help of professionals.

Can I brush my teeth after eating?

While you sleep, bacteria builds up in your mouth. This is one of the reasons why you may experience bad taste and bad breath in the morning. Brushing our teeth in the morning gets rid of parasites, and fluoride toothpaste coats the enamel with a protective barrier.

Should you brush your teeth right after your first meal: an expert opinion

Dentist therapist, pediatric dentist

«Brushing your teeth before eating helps to get rid of the waste products of bacteria accumulated overnight, and the fluoride and calcium contained in toothpastes protect teeth from acids in food. Brushing your teeth after eating contributes to the complete cleansing of the oral cavity from food debris, fresh breath and a more prolonged effect of calcium and fluoride. However, it is worth remembering that acids can “soften” the enamel, and intensive cleaning after breakfast leads to abrasion of the tooth structures, ”says dentist-therapist Margarita Paramonova.

The expert also notes: Russian and European studies have shown that for the structure of the enamel there is no visible difference in whether we brush our teeth before or after meals. At the same time, Margarita warns that it is pointless to run after a brush and toothpaste after each meal. Plaque develops once every 24 hours, she says, so you’re just wasting your time.

When is the best time to brush your teeth?

We figured out the meals, but what about the time of day? Of course, no one forces us to brush our teeth at a specific time, but general rules still exist. Dentist-therapist Olesya Medvid told Wday about them.

Dentist-therapist, doctor-hygienist of the dental center Dr. Shipkov

“It is recommended that you brush your teeth, tongue and inner cheeks twice a day. This is not cut-and-dried advice. The frequency of hygiene procedures was established by dentists based on the results of many years of experiments. The main procedure is evening cleansing before bed. This is due to a long break in human activity, during which pathogenic microflora multiplies especially zealously. Morning exercise will freshen your breath, remove plaque from the tongue and cheeks, and eliminate microbial plaque, ”the dentist advises.

Margarita, in turn, recommends using antiseptic rinseto neutralize all microorganisms, and after breakfast, thoroughly brush your teeth, removing food debris.

What else to pay attention to?

It is important to understand not only when is the best time to brush your teeth, but also how to brush them. Olesya Medvid advises you to carefully choose your toothbrush and the means you use. They must be suitable for the physiological characteristics and needs of the owner, and also be easy to use.

If you do not want to make mistakes, it is better to contact a specialist. “Highly abrasive toothpaste, a very hard brush and too frequent brushing can lead to thinning of the enamel. Against this background, profile diseases may appear or existing ones may worsen. To avoid this, be sure to visit your dentist. The specialist will not only select the best products for you, but will also perform professional hygiene, which is many times more effective than home hygiene, ”the dentist recalls.