Is There a Right or Best Time of Day to Brush?
Brushing your teeth twice a day is a habit that most people incorporate into their daily lives. Making the point to maintain a good oral care routine can drastically improve the health of your teeth, and help combat a number of other health issues. However, many don’t realize that WHEN you brush your teeth is an important factor consider.
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Three important times to brush
There are three times of day that will have the biggest impact on your overall oral health:
1. In the morning
Brushing in the morning will help wash away any plaque and bacteria that has grown overnight, and will help stimulate saliva production in your mouth.
2. Before bed
Your mouth tends to produce less saliva at night, so brushing at night will help remove the harmful bacteria that could cause cavities while you sleep. Flossing and rinsing with mouthwash after you’ve brushed and consuming only water afterwards will help as well.
3. After consuming sugary foods and drinks
Brushing after you consume sugary things can help keep your teeth strong and healthy. Allowing sugary food particles to stay on your teeth without being washed off can lead to plaque production and potential cavities. While dentists recommend brushing twice a day, there is no harm in brushing additional times if you’ve consumed food and drink that could harm your teeth.
Brushing before breakfast is best
Brushing your teeth first thing in the morning is a great habit to get into. When you sleep, bacteria in your mouth multiplies which can cause plaque to form. This is partly why you might wake up feeling like you have morning breath or a fuzzy feeling mouth. Brushing your teeth first thing in the morning will help wash this plaque and bacteria out of your mouth, and coat your teeth with a barrier that will protect them against those high acidity breakfast foods.
Brushing in the morning also helps to stimuate your saliva production, which will help your body break food down and kill harmful bacteria in your mouth throughout the day.
Prefer to brush after breakfast?
If you decide to brush your teeth after breakfast instead, it will be beneficial to your teeth to delay brushing for up to an hour after you’ve finished for a few reasons. Breakfast foods like orange juice, citrus fruits, bread and pastries are very bad for your teeth, so it might seem like common sense to brush right after eating; however, this isn’t usually recommended. Brushing your teeth when these particles are still in your mouth can actually cover your teeth in the acidic remnants and weaken your tooth enamel. Waiting for up to 60 minutes after eating to brush your teeth can help protect your enamel and keep your teeth healthy. If you’re looking to clean your teeth right after eating, try drinking water or chewing sugar free gum instead.
Top tips for a great oral care routine
Brushing your teeth is the best start to a great oral care routine, however there are many more steps to incorporate into your day. While you may not feel like doing all of these things each day, the benefits of taking care of your mouth health will stay with you for the rest of your life.
Top activities to incorporate in your mouth care routine can include:
- Brush at least twice a day
- Switch to a soft bristled or electric toothbrush
- Floss at least once a day, preferably before you go to bed
- Use mouthwash after you brush your teeth, at least once a day. Mouthwash will help catch any bacteria that may have been hiding between your teeth, and can help stimulate saliva production.
- Visit your dentist at least once a year. They can help you stay ahead of any potential concerns, and will provide a deep clean of your teeth.
Taking care of your teeth is an important part of self care, and maintaining a good oral care routine is the first step.
