Dentist settles debate on whether to brush your teeth before or after breakfast

It's time to settle the age-old debate - whether you should brush your teeth before or after breakfast.

If you've replaced your teeth with dentures or have decided to invest in a pair of Turkey gnashers, then this might not apply as much to you, but a dentist has revealed what time is best to brush your teeth.

Prepare to run to your family members or other half in victory - or try and hide the news in disappointment.

Whether you should brush your teeth before or after breakfast is an age old question which has been leaving people divided for years.

It's a hot topic on social media, users ferociously arguing for each side, a Reddit thread getting particularly heated.

One user argued: "You generally want to avoid brushing your teeth immediately after eating because the acids in certain foods can weaken the enamel temporarily, so when you brush can remove the top layer.

"If you brush before eating, you remove the plaque but because the enamel is at its strongest there's no potential damage to teeth.

"The morning breath smell is from plaque building up overnight. Gotta get rid of it."

However, another said: "I do not understand why people brush their teeth before breakfast. What are you even brushing off?? (Assuming you didn’t eat after brushing the evening before, but even then, just wait until after breakfast?!)

"The weird sleepy taste in the mouth can be easily rinsed out, and thus is also not a reason, and even so, replacing the sleepy taste with toothpaste is just as bad."

But what's the actual best time to brush according to the experts?

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Principal Dentist at MKDental Dr Jay Joshi has weighed in on the contentious topic, finally settling the issue.

He told Metro one way of brushing your teeth is considered more 'beneficial for oral health because it helps protect your teeth from the potential harm caused by acidic foods and beverages'.

"[It] also reduces sensitivity, enhances convenience for many, and psychologically discourages snacking between meals."

Yes, the best way to brush your teeth is AFTER breakfast.

Pexels/ Karolina Grabowska

It's also important to think about what sort of food or drink you're consuming when it comes to deciding when to pick up your brush for a two-minute scrub.

If you're drinking orange juice or eating acidic foods, brushing your teeth after breakfast is still best as acidic foods can 'temporarily soften tooth enamel'.

But, you should wait 'about 30 minutes' after you've eaten or you risk enamel erosion.

Your teeth will also feel less sensitive if you brush after rather than before breakfast, and it can help prevent tooth decay and gum disease by removing left behind 'food particles and sugars in your mouth' from eating.

Dr Joshi ultimately resolves if you're not convinced by brushing after your breakfast meal, you can consult with your dentist for 'personalised guidance' and should ultimately base your choice off 'individual oral health needs, dietary habits and personal preferences'.

The dentist notes the most important aspect to focus on is 'maintaining a consistent and thorough routine, including brushing, flossing and regular dental check-ups'.

Topics: Health, World News, Social Media

Poppy Bilderbeck

Poppy Bilderbeck is a Senior Journalist at LADbible Group. She graduated from The University of Manchester in 2021 with a First in English Literature and Drama, where alongside her studies she was Editor-in-Chief of The Tab Manchester. Poppy is most comfortable when chatting about all things mental health, is proving a drama degree is far from useless by watching and reviewing as many TV shows and films as possible and is such a crisp fanatic the office has been forced to release them in batches.