Morning oral hygiene routine: brushing teeth before or after breakfast?

[Image created with artificial intelligence].

We often stick to established morning routines without questioning them, especially when it comes to our oral hygiene. Most of us grew up with the idea that. Brush your teeth immediately after breakfast is the best way to start the day with a clean, fresh smile. However, recent dental research suggests that it may be time to review this practice!

During sleep, saliva production decreases, creating the ideal environment for the bacterial proliferation in our mouth. This increase in bacteria leads to a increased acidity, which can begin to erode tooth enamel. Brushing teeth before breakfast helps to Eliminate plaque and bacteria accumulated overnight, thus reducing acidity and preparing the teeth to better cope with the sugars and acids introduced with the first meal of the day.

The application of the fluoride, a key component of toothpaste, before ingestion of food and drink can also create a kind of "protective shield" around the teeth. This fluoride layer acts as a Barrier against acid attacks from food and drink intake, helping to preserve enamel and prevent the formation of cavities.

We recognize that the idea of changing such an ingrained habit may seem uncomfortable, especially because of the contrast between the taste of toothpaste and the taste of breakfast: to overcome this inconvenience, we suggest Wait a few minutes after brushing before eating breakfast or thoroughly rinse the mouth with water to minimize the aftertaste of the toothpaste.

Adopting this simple change in your daily oral hygiene routine could not only improve your long-term dental health but also offer you a new perspective on how to small changes can lead to large benefits.

[Medical Director: Dr. Mauro Savio, Member of the Dentists Register Provincial Order of Surgeons and Dentists of Milan n. 4168].