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Dad brushing his teeth with two children.

Should I Brush My Teeth Before or After Breakfast?

March 17, 2022Dakota DentalDental Tips

We all have our own morning routine. For some, it goes: breakfast, shower, brush teeth, then get dressed. For others, it goes: brush teeth, shower, get dressed, then eat breakfast. While the rest go: snooze, snooze, snooze, then get dressed and get out the door!

Have you ever noticed how some people prefer whether they brush their teeth before or after breakfast? It’s perfectly understandable. Some people don’t like eating breakfast right after brushing since it feels like you’re dirtying up what they’ve just cleaned. But others wake up and just can’t wait to get that gross morning taste out of their mouth and want to brush as soon as possible.

At Dakota Dental, we wanted to take a closer look at whether you should brush before or after breakfast from an oral health and preventative dental care perspective. 

Should I Brush My Teeth Before or After Breakfast?

Dentists Conclude: Brushing your teeth before breakfast is the way to go! 

Woman sipping her coffee. Dentists agree it's best to brush teeth before you eat breakfast.As it turns out, your best bet when it comes to brushing teeth in the morning is to do it right after you wake up, BEFORE eating breakfast. Here are a few reasons why:

  1. Bacteria in your mouth can react with the food you eat by soaking up sugars and acid, which can cause cavities, tooth erosion, and tooth decay. 
  2. Brushing right when you wake up starts your mouth back into its normal salivation process [insert drool emoji]. It also brings fluoride into your mouth to protect against those sugars and acids. 
  3. When you brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste, you’re also giving your enamel an extra level of protection against the acid food you’re probably going to consume!  
  4. Believe it or not, brushing immediately after breakfast can actually be harmful. Eating something acidic for breakfast makes your teeth more easily susceptible to tooth abrasion and sensitivity. When you brush right after eating, you spread that acidity around your mouth. 

If you are reading this and thinking, “But I don’t want to eat breakfast after brushing and have minty toothpaste messing with the taste of my food,” try using a sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)-free toothpaste. That way, you can have your breakfast and eat it too!

What Should I Do After Breakfast? 

But what about bad breath or food in your teeth after breakfast? Don’t worry, we thought of that, too. Once you’re finished with breakfast, go ahead and rinse with mouthwash! This will ensure you have a clean mouth and fresh breath to tackle the day to come. 

I Really Can’t Give Up Brushing After Breakfast 

We hear you—it’s hard to break those ingrained habits. If you continue to be a post-breakfast brusher, we recommend waiting at least 30 minutes after eating or drinking anything acidic. This would include citrus, pastries, and – yes – the all-important coffee.

Whether you brush before or after breakfast, remember to brush your teeth for two whole minutes to get rid of bacteria and plaque buildup. 

Good Morning, Sunshine! 

Hopefully, these tips help your mornings get off to a fresh, clean start! Of course, an important way to take care of your teeth is by checking in with your family dentist. At Dakota Dental, our team will help with any and all dental procedures, from teeth cleaning to root canals to dental implants. See a complete list of dental services, then be sure to schedule your appointment online or by calling 952-431-5774.

Tags: brushing teeth, teeth cleaning, tooth brushing tips

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