If you want to maintain proper oral hygiene standards, we advise that you brush your teeth at least two times a day for two minutes. We also suggest that you brush your teeth after every meal. But we do not recommend that you brush immediately after taking your meals. Read on and understand some of the reasons why brushing immediately after eating is not suitable for your oral health.
The Tooth Structure
Understanding the structure of the tooth will help you understand why you should never brush immediately after eating. The enamel is the outermost area of your tooth that acts as the protective layer; it consists of crystal rods (with calcium and phosphates), which is why it is even stronger than your bones.
The PH Levels of Your Mouth
Understanding the PH levels and how they affect your oral health will help you understand why you should not brush immediately after eating. The pH of your mouth is the measure of acidity in your mouth. Typically, the mouth pH should be at 6.5. Eating acidic foods or drinking sugary beverages lowers your pH level while taking essential food substances and drinks makes the pH level rise. If your mouth's pH level goes below 5.5, your tooth enamel will start to lose minerals, putting it at a higher risk of tooth decay.
When Should I Brush After a Meal?
After every meal, you should brush your teeth. Wait for at least 20 to 30 minutes before you brush your teeth. Use a mouthwash or gargle with salty water shortly after eating to get rid of food debris. You can then brush your teeth because it is the safest period to do the brushing. When brushing, make sure you are using fluoride toothpaste because it helps mineralization to 5.5 pH. Visit our offices and get to learn more about how minerals affect the teeth.
Our Dental Blog | Smiles of Tulsa - Dentist in Tulsa, OK Corbyn VanBrunt, DDS has created this informative blog to help educate the community. Click here to learn more about home care, procedures and more! Smiles of Tulsa, 6565 S. Yale Ave., Ste. 1103, Tulsa, OK 74136 - (918) 891-3059 - smilesoftulsa.com - 10/5/2024 - Page Phrases: Preventive Dentistry Tulsa OK -
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If you want to maintain proper oral hygiene standards, we advise that you brush your teeth at least two times a day for two minutes. We also suggest that you brush your teeth after every meal. But we do not recommend that you brush immediately after taking your meals. Read on and understand some of the reasons why brushing immediately after eating is not suitable for your oral health.