If you are up early, this is something you should know
A dentist has shared the key mistakes many of us make when brushing our teeth – and there is one that often occurs before 8am. So before you get ready for work, pay attention to make sure your teeth stay healthy.
The expert said that if you do this at the wrong time, even if you brush twice a day, it can affect plaque build-up, enamel strength and your long-term oral health. According to dentist Dr Murray Pratt, from Forever Dental and Skin, changing when you do this twice-daily habit can dramatically change how effectively you protect your teeth and gums. He stresses: “Most patients focus primarily on how often they brush. However, the timing of toothbrushing can significantly influence how well we maintain the health of the teeth and gums throughout the day.”
Brush your teeth before 8am
The dentist revealed that the “sweet spot” for brushing in the morning is around 7:15 am – or shortly after waking up. “During the night, oral bacteria multiply significantly. That is why many people wake with a coated feeling on their teeth and noticeable morning breath. Brushing soon after waking helps to disrupt this bacterial build-up before it progresses.”
Brushing early with a fluoride toothpaste helps to:
- Clear away plaque and bacteria that have built up overnight
- Freshen your breath
- Lower the risk of decay and gum inflammation
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Brush before breakfast
As soon as you wake up, brush your teeth. It may seem like the wrong thing to do, but the expert explains: “When you brush first thing in the morning, you are not only removing plaque. You are also applying a protective fluoride layer over the enamel before exposing it to acidic or sugary foods and drinks.”
This helps to create a barrier against acids and stimulates saliva production, which helps break down food and neutralise harmful bacteria.
Don’t do this
Brushing straight after breakfast can damage your teeth, especially if you have consumed acidic or sugary items like orange juice, fruit smoothies, cereals or toast with jam. If you tend to brush while your “enamel is still in a softened state, you can gradually wear away the outer surface”, Dr Pratt warns. “This can occur even when someone believes they are being very diligent with their oral care.”
Instead, only drink plain water after breakfast to help rinse away acids or use mouthwash if you need a freshen up before leaving the house. He also suggests that people wait 30 to 60 minutes after eating.
Night-time routine
Now you know what to do in the morning, what should you do at night? Pratt notes: “Ideally, you should go to bed with teeth that are as clean as possible, rather than leaving food debris and sugars on them for several hours.”
For optimal nighttime protection, brush thoroughly with fluoride toothpaste and ensure that brushing is the final step in your evening routine.
After brushing, avoid snacks, soft drinks, tea, juice and alcohol, and only drink plain water. This is because saliva flow naturally decreases while you sleep, which means your mouth is less able to neutralise acids. Going to bed with clean teeth significantly reduces the chance of decay.
Why you should avoid brushing straight after coffee
If you drink coffee in the morning or throughout the day, it is best not to brush immediately afterwards. This is because coffee is acidic, and brushing straight away can spread the acid across the tooth surface and increase the risk of enamel erosion over time.
With this in mind, Pratt notes that you should wait around half an hour. He says: “It is sensible to allow a short interval after coffee. Ideally, wait 20–30 minutes before brushing. During that time, rinsing with water can help dilute acidity and minimise staining.”
