Should you brush your teeth before or after breakfast?

Here are some more surprising tips about brushing your teeth that everyone should know.

Brushing your teeth would be so much fun!

Just like the debate about whether showering during the day or at night is better for health, brushing your teeth before or after breakfast is always a controversial topic.

On the one hand, brushing your teeth before breakfast will remove the bacteria that cause bad breath. But on the other hand, brushing after breakfast will remove all the leftover food particles along with the bacteria that are multiplying.

So when is the best time?

First, let's observe what's happening in our mouths while we sleep and explain why morning breath is always so terrible.

Professor Marc Tennant, Director of the Centre for International Oral and Community Health Research at the University of Western Australia, said: “Your mouth also rests along with other parts of your body – at night, everything slows down.”

"The main change in your mouth is that less saliva is produced at night. 80-90% of the saliva produced in a day is during the day, with only 10-15% secreted at night."

Saliva plays a crucial role in maintaining oral health and protecting tooth enamel. Reduced saliva production at night means that teeth and gums are at a higher risk of cavities and infections.

"Bacteria in the mouth have a chance to multiply when saliva isn't produced. And that's why your mouth smells bad when you wake up."

Sugar also encourages the growth of bad bacteria, so Tennant recommends avoiding sugary foods before bed.

"Saliva production decreases in the evening, and if you eat a lot of sugar, you're feeding bacteria. You'll be at a very high risk of cavities."

So, is it best to brush your teeth before or after breakfast?

According to Tennant, this is entirely up to you.

"See whether brushing your teeth before or after breakfast makes you feel comfortable. And choose according to your heart," Tennant said.

"Because the purpose of brushing your teeth is to 'break down' bacterial growth and create an opportunity for good bacteria to thrive. Therefore, it's important to consider when you prefer to brush your teeth."

If bad breath bothers you when you wake up, brush your teeth before breakfast. However, if you prefer a clean, fresh breath when you leave the house, brush your teeth after breakfast.

However, if your breakfast is highly acidic, for example, a large glass of orange juice or pineapple juice, then you probably shouldn't brush your teeth right away.

"If you eat very acidic foods, allow your tooth enamel time to stabilize. Food paired with wine can neutralize the acidity of fruit juices."

"If you vomit, put a little toothpaste on your teeth and wait 20-30 minutes before brushing."

"Brush your teeth at least twice a day with toothpaste, brushing each tooth surface, including the part that touches the gums, to make brushing truly effective," said Mr. Tennant.

According to Dantri