Does there exist an ideal time for brushing your teeth? At the very least, the Dental Association recommends that you brush your teeth two times a day; and one of those times should be just before you go to sleep. However, if you tend to snack and sip on sugar-based drinks throughout the day, it may be best to brush your teeth more frequently than this.
When you brush your teeth, you are helping to rid them of plaque – a “furry” coating that forms on your teeth because of the germs in your mouth. These germs within plaque are what cause the two most prevalent dental conditions; tooth cavities and gum disease. It lights of this, it is ideal to brush your teeth after you have eaten since specific foods and beverages trigger bacteria in your mouth to release acids that attack your tooth enamel.
When you consume a meal, or you drink something that contains a lot of sugar or starch, the bacteria produced acids can still be causing damage to your tooth enamel even 20 mins later. By choosing healthy meals that contain reduced carbohydrate and sugar content, and by drinking lots of water, you can reduce the amount of acid being produced in your mouth, thereby protecting your teeth.
One word of caution about brushing after eating or drinking relates to when the meal or drink was acidic, for example, fruit juice. Ideally, it is best not to brush your teeth for a minimum of 30 mins after consuming anything acidic. These acids weaken tooth enamel, and brushing too quickly afterwards can cause increased damage to the enamel. If you know in advance that you are going to consume something extremely acidic, you should perhaps consider brushing your teeth beforehand.
Brushing your teeth without any other dental care will not remove all of the decay-causing plaque. The Dental Association likewise advises making use of a good mouthwash as well as flossing every day between your teeth to fully remove all food particles and minimise oral plaque bacteria.
