Should I Be Brushing My Teeth Before Breakfast?

You’ve probably been told your whole life that you should clean your teeth twice a day—once in the morning and then again in the evening before bedtime. Brushing before going to bed is simple enough but finding the opportune time to brush every morning isn’t always easy, and you might be wondering if it’s better to do it before or after eating breakfast. Here’s why your dentist thinks you should be brushing your teeth before breakfast, along with some tips for doing it properly.

Why You Should Brush Your Teeth Before Breakfast

It might seem counterintuitive to brush your teeth before eating breakfast, but there are several awesome benefits to doing so, including:

• Clears away that “fuzzy” feeling – Sometimes you might notice an odd, fuzzy feeling in your mouth when you wake up. This is caused by plaque and bacteria building up on your teeth overnight, and it’s also often the cause of morning breath.
• Encourages saliva production – Your saliva is your mouth’s first line of defense against cavity-causing bacteria, and it also helps fluoride and other minerals like calcium to enhance your teeth.
• Prevents acid damage – Brushing directly after eating can actually spread acidic particles around your mouth, instead of clearing them out! Not to mention, certain breakfast items like fruit, pastries, and orange juice are often very sugary and acidic. Experts recommend waiting at least half an hour to brush after eating, to give your saliva the chance to neutralize the present acids.
• Shields your smile for the whole day – If you brush first thing in the morning, you’re providing your teeth with a protective layer of fluoride that will brighten and fortify them for the day ahead.

Easy-to-Follow Steps for Properly Brushing Your Teeth

Of course, you’ll want to be sure that you’re employing the correct brushing method when you care for your pearly whites every morning. Here are some easy-to-follow steps:

1. Wet your brush head (use a soft-bristled brush if possible) with water to lubricate it, and then add a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste to the bristles.
2. Brush at a 45-degree angle to your gum line, so that you can access hard-to-reach spots. Brush for 2 minutes, using scrubbing circular motions; don’t saw back and forth. Be sure you’re covering the front surfaces of your teeth, the sides, and also the chewing surfaces.
3. Don’t forget to brush your tongue! It can also collect bacteria residue.
4. Spit out any leftover toothpaste and avoid rinsing your mouth for about 10 minutes to give the fluoride a chance to work its magic.

Brushing twice a day is one of the best ways to ensure a healthy and bright smile, but when you brush is pretty important too! That said, you should consider brushing your teeth before breakfast, as the habit has several awesome benefits.

About the Practice

The team at Advanced Dental Center is honored to serve patients and families in the Parma Heights community under the leadership of Dr. Glenn Shtarkman and Dr. Caroline Salib. Their practice is thrilled to offer a wide range of preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dental services. If you have any questions about the article or would like to arrange a visit, you can contact the practice online or over the phone for assistance: (440) 885-5354.