A Dentist Just Said You Shouldn’t Brush Your Teeth After Breakfast Because….

Whether you brush your teeth before or after breakfast is a debate that divides those with good oral hygiene across the world.

But a dentist has finally set the record straight.

Posting on TikTok, dental therapist, Anna Peterson, uploaded a video explaining that it’s crucial to always brush before eating breakfast because doing it the other way around can damage the enamel on your teeth.

“There’s two reasons for this,” she explains to her followers. “When you eat breakfast, your mouth becomes acidic, so what you’re doing when you brush your teeth after breakfast is brushing the acid into the tooth, and this wears away the enamel.

“And, brushing before breakfast protects your teeth from anything you’re going to eat.”

Her advice backs a report from toothpaste brand Colgate, saying that brushing your teeth after eating can “sometimes” affect your tooth enamel.

It might come as a bit of a shock for anyone who assumed it was better to brush your teeth after breakfast in a bid to get rid of the food you’ve just consumed.

Healthcare group Bupa agrees that, if you do brush after food, it’s best to wait at least an hour after eating as this gives saliva time to neutralize acids in the mouth caused by foods.

According to AWM, some people do not like brushing before breakfast because it leaves their mouths with a minty flavor from the toothpaste.

“Except I don’t fancy minty cereal,” wrote one TikToker.

“Food tastes minty, though,” complained another.

“And then your food tastes minty fresh,” wrote someone else.

One person suggested that you can brush after breakfast so long as you wait long enough.

“Not all dentists agree on this,” the user wrote. “Some dentists say it’s fine (to brush after breakfast) so long as you leave thirty minutes after eating and drinking.”

The NHS website doesn’t have specific advice on whether you should brush your teeth before or after breakfast. It advises you to always brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste twice a day for about two minutes each time to help keep your teeth and mouth healthy.

Watch the video below: