Brushing before breakfast clears that bacteria away, denying them the opportunity to feed on your food. Another reason to brush before breakfast is to jump-start the production of saliva, Dr. de Aguiar Ribeiro added, which is one of the most protective forces for your teeth.
In most cases, it's best to brush your teeth before breakfast. This ensures that your enamel is protected and that you don't run out of time before leaving the house for work or school. Sugar-free gum is a great way to clean your teeth and achieve fresh breath after breakfast while also supporting a healthy smile.
Another reason that brushing teeth before breakfast may be a better idea is because you should wait at least 30 minutes after eating acidic foods. So, if you are eating, brushing your teeth, and then rushing out the door, you could be damaging your enamel which has been softened by your morning toast, juice, or coffee.
While you sleep, the bacteria in your mouth tend to multiply. That is why you may sometimes wake up with “morning breath” or a mossy taste in your mouth. Brushing first thing in the morning fights those bacteria and coats your enamel with a protective barrier that will help protect against acids in your morning meal.
Brushing your teeth after breakfast removes any residual food and plaque allowing you to start the day feeling fresh and clean. When it comes to brushing your teeth remember twice a day for 2 minutes at a time.
In short, the best times of day to brush your teeth are in the morning and in the evening. Some wonder if after eating breakfast is the best time to brush their teeth, but it's actually best to brush your teeth right when you wake up in the morning.
Acid will weaken your enamel, which can increase your chances of cavities or tooth decay, so you should wait 30-60 minutes before brushing your teeth after eating or drinking. If you don't brush your teeth before drinking coffee, the coffee can bind to the plaque that is on your teeth.
The buildup of plaque that causes gum disease takes at least 24 hours to develop, so if you're brushing once a day, you'll disrupt the bacteria before it gets a chance to really screw up your gums. BUT: Cavities are pretty much a definite—especially if you're only brushing in the morning.
“Ideally, you would brush and floss after each meal, but that may not be very realistic for people with busy jobs or hectic schedules,” he says. “So we recommend at least brushing and flossing twice a day, and ideally one of those times will be before bed.”
You should refrain from brushing more than three times a day, because brushing too often will wear down the enamel of your teeth. You must brush at least twice, but not more than three times a day.
If you eat after brushing your teeth in the evening, bacteria will stay on your teeth during the night, which can lead to unwanted damage. Breakfast is the only exception when it comes to brushing after eating.
Dermatologists and dentists agree—brushing your teeth should always come before washing your face. "Toothpaste residue can irritate the skin," says Richard Lipari, DDS, cosmetic and general dentist in Chappaqua, New York.
Brushing your teeth in the shower exposes your teeth to more bacteria than brushing at the sink. Because your bath is rarely dry, especially if you share a bathroom with roommates, it's a constant breeding ground for bacteria and germs. This makes it a less-than-ideal place to brush your teeth.
The Ideal Time to Brush. Actually, brushing your teeth in the period between dinner and bedtime is ideal. This is because it gives the fluoride in your toothpaste extra time to strengthen your teeth and form a barrier against acid before you go to sleep. BUT don't head to the bathroom right after you've finished dinner ...
In general, wait for twenty to thirty minutes before eating anything after you have finished brushing your teeth. That is because the enamel gets weak when brushing, and chewing anything hard can harm the teeth and enamel; hence it's good to wait.
While a yellow hue near the gum line can be an early sign of tooth decay, gum disease, and other dental problems—it is usually an indication of dental plaque or tartar. Dental plaque develops due to bacteria in the mouth combined with food byproducts and proteins.
Most dentists believe you should brush your teeth at least twice a day – once in the morning and once in the evening. This is important because during the night, the formation of plaque is mostly undisturbed. Brushing after each meal is also endorsed by many dentists.
Many patients experience a sensation of looseness in the morning that gradually seems to tighten back up as the day progresses, with the tooth feeling normal by evening.
Use Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda
Using this mixture removes bacteria and buildup of plaque to get rid of surface stains. Create a hydrogen peroxide and baking soda paste and use it to brush your teeth. After that, use water to rinse the mouth. You can also create a mouthwash using equal amounts of each ingredient.
“After brushing, it is safe to drink water and coffee immediately since the minerals in toothpaste have strengthened, remineralized, and rid the teeth surfaces of bacteria build up,” Dr. Huang shares. “However, for the best taste, you may want to wait 10 minutes to avoid toothpaste-flavored coffee or water.”
Water after brushing teeth
Fluoride actually helps to strengthen your enamel. It needs time to “soak in” to your enamel. Waiting just ten minutes post-brushing to rinse or drink water will help. Thankfully, because water contains no sugar, there is nothing for bacteria to feed on.
One week without brushing:
As soon as a week goes by, your teeth' enamel will start to break down. The plaque that hasn't been removed will make it easy for bad breath to grow. A dirty tooth will make it hard to clean. You will have a greater chance of getting cavities if you don't brush your teeth for a week.
While it's optimal to brush your teeth both in the morning when you wake up and at night before you go to bed, brushing at night is actually more important. During the day, the foods you eat leave particles and debris on your teeth that feed bacteria.
Even a few days without brushing can put you at risk of developing an early gum disease called gingivitis. You may notice red, swollen gums or bleeding while you brush and floss (note: you should never bleed while caring for your teeth!).
You may or may not remember a very interesting interview with actress Jennifer Aniston that was published back in 2008, in which the actress claimed to be eco-friendly because she limited her showers to three minutes and during that time also brushed her teeth. That's right. She brushes her teeth in the shower.