How long should we wait to brush our teeth after eating

Among many people, you will probably remember it when your mother told you when you were little, there is a habit of recommending brushing our teeth every time we eat, especially immediately after meals.

It is, as we see in many houses, a maxim that is repeated in a constant and common, that both our mothers and our grandmothers inculcated us every day. Why is this advice so widespread?

Probably because of the thought that if we wash our teeth quickly after meals, we will prevent the dreaded caries from appearing, and therefore we will protect them properly and they will not get stung. But as many dentists say and recommend, did you know that it would actually be a little recommended practice ?.

And it is that according to some research published in the United States, During brushing, both acids and sugars in foods tend to expand, so that if we tend to brush our teeth immediately after having eaten, not only do we not clean them well, but also we will not be letting the enamel recover after the meal

And, what is even worse, we will be spreading the acid and the sugars all over our mouth, which eventually would end up erode the teeth weaken them, since having an enamel weakened by the acid will penetrate more deeply and much more easily into the structure of the tooth.

And what would be the result of brushing our teeth immediately after each meal over the years? We will end up having a weakened enamel, with eroded and equally weak teeth.

This is even worse when we drink or eat acidic foods such as citrus fruits (among which are orange, lemon or grapefruit), other fruits such as kiwi or strawberries. Or when we eat sweet foods and drinks, such as soft drinks, fruit juices, sweets, cakes and sweets.

How long should we wait to brush our teeth?

First, the key is in wait for the pH of our mouth to decrease, so that we should leave a prudential time between the food and the brushing of the teeth until the acidity of our mouth has been lowered thanks to the action of the saliva.

In most cases, it is best to wait 30 minutes before brushing our teeth after each meal, since this is the precise time that our saliva needs to precisely reduce the acidity and therefore the pH of the mouth.

After this time we can wash our teeth as we usually do.

What brush to choose?

You may also have doubts about what would be the most suitable toothbrush. In this sense, we tend to think - also erroneously - that a hard bristle brush will clean more and better. But we are equally wrong.

Hard bristle brushes can wear and damage the enamel of our teeth, and not because they are harder, they will cleanse better. In fact, they could increase the sensitivity of the gums, favoring its recession.

It is best to choose a soft bristle toothbrush, which are the most recommended option by most dentists, and enough to enjoy effective cleaning, without damaging teeth and gums.

What if I have sensitive teeth or gums? What brush to choose? In these cases it is best to opt for a toothbrush with extra-soft bristles. This article is published for informational purposes only. It can not and should not replace the consultation with a Physician. We advise you to consult your Trusted Doctor.

Can Brushing After Meal Damage Your Teeth? (October 2024)