Should You Brush Your Teeth Before or After Breakfast? Dentist Explains the Best Routine for Oral Health
Should You Brush Your Teeth Before or After Breakfast? Dentist Explains the Best Routine for Oral Health
Some people skip brushing in the morning or brush only after breakfast, often out of laziness or thinking it’s better to clean their teeth right after eating. However, dentists say the timing of your morning brushing can have a huge impact on your dental health. In a recent Instagram post, Dr. Michelle Jorgensen, a health-focused dentist and naturopath, shared her advice on the age-old question: should you brush before or after breakfast?
“I get this a lot — ‘Should I brush before or after breakfast?’” Dr. Michelle wrote, adding that the correct answer is always before breakfast.
Why Brushing Before Breakfast Matters
Dr. Michelle explained that overnight, while we sleep, our mouths are far from inactive. “It’s really important to brush before breakfast because when you wake up in the morning, your mouth has been doing a lot of work overnight, your body has been doing a lot of work overnight,” she said.
The problem with brushing after breakfast, she pointed out, is that overnight bacterial buildup interacts with your first meal of the day. “So if you feed them new food with breakfast, they’re going to just have a smorgasbord, basically. A whole buffet of food, they’re going to create a lot of acid, and it’s going to really weaken your teeth.”
Brushing immediately after eating can also harm your enamel. When acid from food and drinks softens the enamel, brushing too soon can wear it away.
Teeth have a natural ability to repair themselves, but only if the right minerals are present. Dr. Michelle recommends using toothpaste containing hydroxyapatite, which is the natural mineral that makes up your teeth. “That’s exactly what hydroxyapatite does,” she said. “So brushing with it gives your enamel the exact building blocks it needs to repair itself.”
This is why brushing before breakfast is so beneficial—it provides your teeth with protective minerals before they are exposed to acids from food or drinks.
What if You Must Brush After Breakfast?
If you prefer brushing after eating, Dr. Michelle advises waiting at least 30 minutes. “Just make sure you’re waiting about 30 minutes, especially if you’re drinking something acidic like orange juice or coffee. Just give your teeth a little bit of a break before brushing, but before breakfast is best,” she said.
Disclaimer: This article is based on advice shared by Dr. Michelle Jorgensen on her official Instagram page and is intended for general informational purposes only.
