There are generally two types of people: those who brush their teeth first thing when they wake up, and those who wait until after breakfast. Until I started working on this article, I was in the latter group. I assumed that I was doing the right thing by brushing away all the coffee stains and food. But, according to dentists, that’s not the case. And in fact, this all-too-common mistake could be damaging your teeth. Here’s why.
The Best Time to Brush Your Teeth in the Morning
“If you brush your teeth after breakfast and not before, you’re actually ruining your teeth,” says London-based dentist Dr. Shaadi Manouchehri. “You’re going to end up with yellow teeth that are going to be sensitive. This is what you need to do instead: Brush your teeth first thing in the morning when you wake up. Overnight, we all have a dry mouth because saliva production slows way down because your body is sleeping and recovering. When there is no saliva, bacteria will go to town and multiply. This means that when you wake up in the morning and you eat, that bacteria will eat what you eat and damage your teeth. You should brush your teeth right when you wake up instead to get rid of that bacteria.”
If you don’t do this and prefer to brush your teeth after breakfast, Dr. Manouchehri says you will run into problems. “You will start wearing away your enamel. When we eat, an acid is created in the mouth. If you brush your teeth right away, you’re basically rubbing that acid onto your enamel, which is a mineral. That mineral is going to dissolve, and the layer underneath is dentin, which is yellow. Dentin has channels that go straight to the nerve. So, you’re going to end up with yellow, sensitive teeth if you brush after breakfast.”
New York cosmetic dentist Irene Grafman, DDS agrees with the importance of brushing your teeth first thing in the morning, but also for another reason. “I feel that if you don’t make it part of your routine, it makes it much easier to forget and let the day get away from you,” she says. “Then you’re really doing a great deal of harm as the food is added to an already existing load of bacteria.”
What to Do If You Prefer to Brush Your Teeth After Breakfast
There is one work-around, however, if you prefer to brush after breakfast. Dr. Manouchehri explains that the acidic environment created in our mouths when we eat will “naturally get buffered by our saliva, and this process takes approximately 60 minutes.” But, not many of us have 60 minutes to sit around after breakfast, which is why she recommends brushing before breakfast and not after. The American Dental Association also recommends waiting at least 60 minutes after eating or drinking acidic foods or drinks before brushing your teeth. This applies to bedtime smile care as well.
“Acidity in the mouth is the culprit that contributes to cavities and gum disease,” says Dr. Grafman. “There are many foods that are acidic, and if you have reflux, you may have acid come back up after eating. All that acid breaks down enamel, so brushing when your acid levels are at their highest is not the best thing for you. I recommend rinsing your mouth with water after eating and waiting a bit to bring down acid levels before brushing your teeth.”
