At each one of your dental visits, you have probably discussed the importance of brushing regularly at length with your dentist. Obviously, brushing and properly caring for your teeth is essential, as good oral health will prevent cavities, decay, and other problems.
While some people think this means that they should brush as much as possible in order to keep their teeth clean, there are actually times when you shouldn’t be brushing.
Don’t Brush Right after Eating
New research has shown that you should avoid brushing your teeth immediately after eating. This is due to the acidity of your mouth. A healthy mouth will have a neutral pH of about 7, but when you drink or eat items that are extremely acidic, the enamel will start to de-mineralize. Then, if you grab your toothbrush and attempt to brush right away, you’ll simply be rubbing these acids into the enamel of your teeth.
Rinse Out Your Mouth
When it comes to decreasing the pH in your mouth, some foods are worse than others. Soda is especially bad, as the average soft drink has a pH of about 2.5. This is about the same acidity as vinegar, so you don’t want to brush right after drinking a soda. Instead, rinse out your mouth with water to try and remove the acids from the surface of your teeth. Then, you’ll want to wait about 30 minutes before you brush just to make sure that the acidity of your oral environment neutralizes.
Other Ways to Clean Your Mouth
Just because you can’t brush doesn’t mean that you can’t clean your teeth. In addition to rinsing out your water, you can also use antibacterial mouthwash after you eat or drink something acidic. Chewing sugar free gum is another great idea.
Do you have questions about your brushing habits? Contact our office today.
