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We all know the 2-2-2 rule of dental hygiene. We all have had those presentations at school. Brush your teeth twice a day: once in the morning and once before sleeping, for exactly two minutes: more or less- preferably more, and pay a visit to your dentist twice a year. But, don’t you feel that messaging is ambiguous? Exactly when are you supposed to brush in the morning? Is it right after waking up or after breakfast? Is it right after dinner or before sleeping? Well, if you too are uncertain about it, let us find out:
Right Time To Brush In The Morning?
"The messaging is uncertain because there really is no right answer," says Dr Gupta Anil Gupta, Dental Surgeon, SHS Dental Clinic, Punjab. Brushing right after you wake up has its perks but so does brushing after breakfast. "However, the general consensus among the dentists around the world is that brushing before breakfast might be a wiser choice," Dr Gupta Gupta adds.
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Benefits Of Brushing Before Breakfast
"The reason", Dr Gupta Guptar says, "is simple." We never wake up with a fresh mouth unless we are in a movie. We don’t smell or either taste good. That is because while we were asleep, the plaque causing bacteria in our mouths multiplied. And that’s the reason behind the mossy smell and the funny breath. So, when we brush in the morning, we get rid of the bacteria and eat with a fresh mouth.
And besides that there is another reason, says Dr Gupta. Brushing in the morning helps us produce more saliva, which in turn helps clean the mouth and digest food better. Yes, the food might taste a little weird but Dr Gupta says that’s what’s best for your teeth.
Brushing After Breakfast
The best thing about brushing after breakfast is that you clear your teeth and mouth of the food particles and go out to work or school with a mint fresh breath. However, there is a catch. According to the American Dental Association the best way to make sure you're protecting your teeth and not destroying your enamel is to wait 30 to 60 minutes after eating before brushing your teeth, especially if you've eaten something acidic. Breakfast staples are some of the worst foods for your tooth enamel, including:
- Orange Juice
- Citrus Fruit
- Dr Guptaied Fruit
- Bread
- Pastries
Benefits Of Brushing In The Night
The night-time brushing routine is one of the most important aspects of oral hygiene. Your mouth continuously accumulates acid, but because saliva contains calcium, the acid is constantly neutralised. But while you're asleep, your salivary flow slows down, which can raise the acidity levels and let bacteria begin to eat away at your teeth. The fluoride that is left in your mouth after brushing your teeth before bed will keep your saliva levels stable, avoiding any harm from bacteria.
Also Read: Is It Safe to Keep Wisdom Teeth? Know From A Dentist
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Best Time to Brush In The Night
Unlike the morning, there are no two ways about the routine in the night. Almost every dentist on this planet agrees that the best time to brush in the night would be right before your bedtime, when you have either eaten nor drank for more than an hour, says Dr Gupta.
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Bottomline
Brushing your teeth as soon as you wake up in the morning is preferable to brushing them after breakfast if you want to preserve your tooth enamel. And, so is brushing your teeth right before you sleep better than any other time in the night. However, if by any chance, you cannot adhere to the precise timing, it is important to remember that brushing twice daily at any time is better than not brushing at all.