Jakarta –
Many people brush their teeth immediately after eating to clean food debris. However, experts do not recommend it, this is the recommended time interval.
Toothbrushing is actually a good habit that can prevent cavities and bad breath. However, it turns out that there are recommended times to brush your teeth.
After eating, for example, it is not recommended to brush your teeth immediately because it poses more risks than benefits. Toothbrushes can damage tooth enamel and prevent the contents of toothpaste from functioning optimally.
ADVERTISEMENT
SCROLL TO CONTINUE WITH CONTENT
Reasons why you shouldn’t brush your teeth after eating
 Photo: iStock Illustration |
Dentists don’t recommend brushing your teeth right after breakfast or other meals. This is because after eating, the pH of the mouth decreases, making the condition more acidic, as explained by orthodontist Marina Gonchar.
This acidic condition can come from consuming foods, such as cereal, toast, or acidic foods such as fruit juice. The acid promotes demineralization, pulling important minerals out of the tooth’s enamel and weakening it, says dentist Chrystle Cu, DDS.
Weaker tooth enamel is associated with a greater risk of cavities. Additionally, the mouth is actually home to more than 700 species of bacteria. Many of them like to ‘gobble’ sugar and starch from the breakfast they consume, said Dr. Cu.
The digestive process then produces more acid, turning the mouth into a mini chemical ‘experiment’. The acid content can erode tooth enamel over time.
This acid attack is even worse in the morning when the mouth is full of bacteria after not brushing your teeth all night. This is why you often smell bad breath in the morning.
Don’t brush your teeth after eating sweets
Not only after breakfast, brushing your teeth is also not recommended after eating sweet food. Dr. Cu said the bacteria in our mouths like foods containing sugar.
When bacteria digest sugar, they produce more acid. This condition also does not benefit dental health because the acid makes tooth enamel more vulnerable, increasing the risk of erosion and cavities.
A better way is to rinse your mouth with water after eating candy or other sweet foods to wash away the sugar, then wait 30 minutes before brushing your teeth.
But there are exceptions, according to Dr. Gonchar, namely after eating sticky candy. If candy sticks to your teeth, you should immediately brush your teeth to avoid prolonged exposure.
So how long does it take to brush your teeth after eating?
