Should I Brush Before or After Eating Breakfast?

Ever since you were a small child, you’ve been told that you need to brush your teeth twice a day for optimal oral health. Brushing right before bed is pretty straightforward, but mornings can be a little bit more complex. You know you are supposed to clean your smile in the morning, but should you be brushing teeth before breakfast or afterwards? Does it really matter that much? Continue reading to learn more about how to maintain excellent dental health by brushing in the morning.

Is Brushing Before Breakfast Better?

You probably know that all sorts of bacteria grow in your mouth. While you are sleeping, they multiply and leave you with an unpleasant taste and often times, morning breath. When you take time to brush your teeth immediately after waking up, you can rid them of this harmful plaque and bacteria that was produced overnight while you slept. When you brush your teeth, you’re also coating them in a protective barrier that will keep acids from your breakfast from harming your teeth.

Another great reason to brush your teeth before breakfast is because acids from food soften your enamel and leave them more vulnerable to damage while you are brushing. Enamel erosion is likely to make you have symptoms like tooth sensitivity and you will be much more vulnerable to tooth decay than usual.

Can I Brush My Teeth After I Finish Breakfast?

You can still brush your teeth after breakfast if that makes more sense for you, but you should certainly be taking some precautions to keep your teeth safe from enamel erosion. This starts with limiting certain foods that are particularly harmful because they leave more acid behind on your teeth. Be weary of the following favorites:

• Fruit juice
• Bread
• Pastries
• Citrus fruit
• Dried fruit

Instead, try some more tooth-friendly foods like omelets with cheese, yogurt, and whole grain cereal. For beverages, stick to water or milk instead of sugary fruit juices. After you have breakfast, you should wait at least thirty minutes before you start brushing your teeth. In the meantime, chew on some sugar-free gum or have a glass of water. Both of these will help to neutralize harmful acids.

Along with regular dental checkups, brushing your teeth every morning is a must, and now you know that cleaning your teeth before breakfast is generally the best option. However, if you want to brush afterwards, just be sure to take some precautions so you can keep your smile strong and healthy.

About the Author

Dr. Steven Stec is a well experienced family dentist who has been practicing for more than three decades. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Nebraska Medical College of Dentistry and has attended many advanced education classes at the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies. For more information on proper oral hygiene or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Stec at his practice in Grand Island, NE, visit his website or call (308) 382-4440.