Oral health starts with a good tooth brushing in the morning
Are you someone who hits snooze on your alarm clock several times before finally getting out of bed? Do you find yourself rushing to get ready for work or school in the morning? If so, you may be skipping a crucial step in your daily routine: brushing your teeth.
Many people brush their teeth before bed, which is important for removing bacteria and preventing cavities while you sleep. But brushing teeth twice a day is vital for maintaining a beautiful smile and optimal oral health – so it’s crazy-important to not skip this step in your morning routine.
Today, we’re tackling the big questions – like when to brush your teeth around eating breakfast, the best way to brush your teeth, and the problems with brushing your teeth after enjoying a bite of your favorite breakfast foods. Let’s take a closer look!
Why We Brush Our Teeth: Morning Breath, Food Particles, and Oral Health
The American Dental Association recommends brushing in the morning and evening for at least two minutes every day. Brushing is the number ONE tool (besides flossing) for keeping your teeth looking and feeling great between visiting to the dental hygienist.
But what are some of the perks for brushing your teeth when you wake up? The answers probably won’t surprise you!
Fresh Breath: We’ve all been there – waking up to a mouth that tastes like it hosted a party for bacteria overnight. That’s because it actually did! The mouth is a bacterial playground during sleep. Bacteria in the mouth multiply while you snooze and create that unpleasant aroma and uncomfortable fuzz on your teeth, and brushing makes sure to take care of all that!
Removes Plaque & More: Mouth germs create acid when they eat food particles and sugars left over from meals and snacks. That plaque-causing bacteria work overtime at night, starting the process to break down tooth enamel over time. Brushing when you wake up helps remove what’s accumulated overnight, preventing tooth decay and gum disease.
Boosts Confidence: Nothing says “I’m ready to conquer the world” like a sparkling smile. Brushing first thing in the morning leaves your teeth feeling fresh and clean, giving you a confidence boost to start your day on an upbeat note.
When is the Best Time to Brush Your Teeth in the AM?
Most people hate the taste of drinking orange juice after using toothpaste – it’s just not a good mix. And this means that many people have adjusted to brushing their teeth after breakfast.
But is this the right way to brush? It turns out that brushing before breakfast may be the way to go. Why?
Brushing your teeth first thing in the morning is like sending a speedy eviction notice to the bacteria that have made a home on your teeth while you’re sleeping. A quick brush will keep all those extra bugs from enjoying your breakfast staples and turning them into harmful acids. The result? You get to enjoy your food without giving bacteria a free buffet!
But the benefits of pre-breakfast brushing don’t stop there. When you brush with fluoride toothpaste, you’re essentially outfitting your enamel in a protective barrier that acts as a shield while you eat. After all, many of our breakfast favorites are actually super acidic foods (like orange juice, coffee, fruit, and pastries).
And a final benefit is that you’re increasing your saliva production before eating. While this might not sound like anything important on the surface, your saliva is the best way to wash away bacteria and particles from acidic foods and drinks! (Sugar-free gum is another great way to give your teeth a saliva boost before or after breakfast.)
The Problems with Brushing After Breakfast
Need some more incentives to brush your teeth before you eat breakfast? Let’s take a look at the bad side of putting toothbrushing at the end of your morning routine.
When you wait to brush after your coffee and orange juice, it can actually hurt your enamel. How?
Acidic items like OJ, pastries, fruit, and coffee will temporarily weaken your enamel. Dentists recommend that you wait about an hour to brush after eating – otherwise, you redistribute that acid and can even damage your teeth by brushing too soon.
Start Your Day the Right Way
So, tomorrow morning, before you dive into your delicious breakfast, remember to wait up and take a quick detour to the bathroom first. Your teeth will be ready to face whatever your day (and your breakfast) has to throw at them!