If you think that brushing your teeth immediately after eating is a good dental habit and extremely beneficial for your teeth, you need to know that this is not the case because there are instances when this could be harmful to your teeth.
According to the Mayo Clinic, foods that contain citric acid like grapefruits, lemons, and oranges tend to weaken the tooth enamel. When you brush your teeth at once after consuming such kinds of food it can cause damage as you are brushing the enamel when it is at its weakest.
Important Points to Remember About Brushing Your Teeth
Apart from waiting for at least half an hour before brushing your teeth after consuming acidic food, you should also drink a glass of water immediately after consuming such food to wash away the acids in your mouth. While it will do you good to let some time pass before brushing your teeth after eating acid-rich foods, brushing before eating them is much more beneficial.
While it is necessary to wait for a while before brushing your teeth when eating acidic foods, there are occasions wherein immediate brushing is warranted to avoid tooth problems. One such case is when you consume food and drinks that are loaded with carbohydrates and sugar that stimulate the development of bacteria in your mouth that can attack and weaken your tooth enamel. When you brush immediately after consuming such food, you can quickly eliminate the bacteria before they have the time to cause problems.
At the end of the day, brushing your teeth is one of the most important parts of dental hygiene. It helps get rid of food particles and prevents tooth decay. However, tooth brushing can only be beneficial if it is done properly and carried out at the right time. Get in touch with us today so we can give you more information and tips about tooth brushing do's and don'ts.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please call us at (608) 274-0770 today.