Should you brush your teeth after breakfast or before it?

01. Here is the right way to clean your teeth

Good brushing habits help to keep your teeth healthy and maintain the brightness of your smile. To keep your teeth strong and free from cavities, it is recommended to scrub them twice daily for at least 2 minutes. But it has never been clearly outlined when you should exactly brush your teeth.

Most of us who deal with the problem of morning breath immediately rush to the washroom to get rid of the stinky smell as soon as we roll out of our bed. It is a common habit that we have been taught since childhood and seem pretty valid. But there is also a group of people, who believe cleaning their teeth after having their morning meal would cleanse their mouth and freshen their breath. The views of an expert in this matter are quite diverse. Some support brushing teeth before breakfast while others suggest doing it later. Here we will tell you the pros and cons of both so that you can make an informed choice.

02. ​The right time to brush your teeth

As per some experts in the field of dental science, brushing your teeth after having your breakfast is much more beneficial for your tooth enamel and overall oral health. According to some studies, when you sleep at night, plaque-causing bacteria multiplies rapidly in your mouth, which makes your mouth stink in the morning. Washing your teeth with fluoride toothpaste in the morning helps you to get rid of plaque and bad breath. Moreover, it protects your enamel against acid by creating a barrier. Brushing in the morning also jump-starts your saliva production, which helps you break the food and destroy harmful bacteria present in the mouth.

03. ​Rules for brushing teeth after breakfast

Some dental experts advocate cleaning teeth after the first meal as leaving food particles from the morning meal in your mouth for a long time can encourage the growth of bacteria. However, if you choose to clean your teeth after having your breakfast then you must wait at least 30 minutes after consuming acidic foods. Bread, dried fruit, citrus fruit, coffee all are acidic and you must be careful while cleaning your teeth after consuming them. Waiting for a while is necessary to protect your teeth and enamel.

04. ​The correct way to brush your teeth

Brushing your teeth twice would not be helpful if you do not do it correctly. Here is the right way to clean your teeth.

Step 1: Wet the head of your brush and add a small amount of fluoride toothpaste to it.

Step 2: Slowly, move the brush to every corner of your teeth. Do it for 2 minutes and try not to apply too much pressure.

Step 3: Spit out any leftover toothpaste and rinse your mouth with water.

Step 4: Brush your tongue to clean the bacteria or use a tongue scraper.

Step 5: Rinse it nicely, then use mouthwash.

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