Brushing Your Teeth: Before or After Breakfast?

As a child, you may have been conditioned to brush your teeth before breakfast. Some of us on the other hand, actually brush after breakfast for cleaner teeth and fresher breath.

With that said, have you ever wondered if brushing before or after breakfast really matters? The answer is yes. The chronological order of your brushing session and morning meal largely affect your oral health.

Saliva production is important throughout the day, as it washes away food particles and cleans your teeth. Your saliva contains cells that fight bacteria and infection as well as protein and minerals that protect your teeth from decay. When you sleep, your saliva production decreases drastically and the amount of bacteria in your mouth grows.

Continue reading to learn about the benefits of brushing your teeth before and after breakfast.

Brushing Before Breakfast

Did you know that bacteria is responsible for an overwhelming majority of dental problems? According to experts, brushing before your meal is an effective way to remove bacteria. When you wake up, the warm and moist environment of your mouth allows bacteria to multiply and grow. Morning breath is a sign of bacterial growth, which converts sugars and carbohydrates into acids. These harmful acids attack your gums and enamel which can result in gingivitis and cavities. For this reason, brushing your teeth first thing in the morning when you wake up will reduce bacteria levels. This preventive measure will protect your mouth, gums and tooth enamel.

One downside to this is that brushing before breakfast will restrict you from removing food particles in your mouth. So if you brush your teeth first thing in the morning be sure to rinse and floss after eating.

Brushing After Breakfast

Now that you know what the benefits of brushing your teeth before breakfast are, it is time to consider the benefits of brushing after breakfast.

If you are someone who has a morning sweet tooth or eats a high-calorie breakfast, consider brushing after breakfast. When you consume these foods and beverages it allows bacteria to grow in your mouth, which is the main culprit behind tartar accumulation. It is more beneficial to brush after breakfast in this case because it will eliminate bacterial growth.

So if you decide to have your favorite sweet treat for breakfast, it is best to postpone brushing for 20-30 minutes after. Now you are probably wondering how this could be true, especially since bacteria can convert those sugars and carbohydrates into acids.

The truth is, a large number of foods and beverages, especially ones that are acidic, such as orange juice can weaken the surface of your teeth. After eating, rinse first with water and wait the suggested amount of time before you brush as this will remineralize your enamel.

Whether you choose to brush before breakfast or after, the most important thing is that you are brushing. Always be sure to properly brush your teeth twice daily for at least two minutes. In addition, you should be flossing your teeth regularly and visiting your Longmont Dentist for a professional cleaning every 6 months.