A dental expert has issued a crucial warning about a common morning mistake that could be undermining your oral health, even if you brush twice daily. The error often occurs before 8am and can significantly impact plaque buildup and enamel strength over time.
The Optimal Morning Brushing Time
According to Dr Murray Pratt from Forever Dental and Skin, the timing of your morning brush is just as important as the act itself. The ideal time to brush is around 7:15 am, or shortly after waking, rather than after breakfast.
"During the night, oral bacteria multiply significantly," Dr Pratt explains. "That's why many people wake with a coated feeling on their teeth and noticeable morning breath. Brushing soon after waking helps to disrupt this bacterial build-up before it progresses."
Brushing early with fluoride toothpaste provides three key benefits: clearing away plaque and bacteria that accumulated overnight, freshening your breath, and lowering the risk of decay and gum inflammation.
Why You Should Always Brush Before Breakfast
Contrary to what might seem logical, dentists now recommend brushing before eating your morning meal. When you brush first thing, you're not just removing plaque - you're applying a protective fluoride layer over the enamel before exposing it to acidic or sugary foods and drinks.
This protective barrier helps defend against acids and stimulates saliva production, which naturally helps break down food and neutralise harmful bacteria throughout the day.
The Danger of Brushing After Eating
Brushing immediately after breakfast, especially if you've consumed acidic items like orange juice, fruit smoothies, cereals or toast with jam, can actually damage your teeth. Dr Pratt warns that brushing while your enamel is in a softened state can gradually wear away the outer surface.
"This can occur even when someone believes they are being very diligent with their oral care," he notes. Instead, he recommends waiting 30 to 60 minutes after eating before brushing, or simply rinsing with plain water to wash away acids.
Complete Your Oral Care with Proper Night Routine
For optimal protection around the clock, your evening routine matters just as much as your morning one. You should go to bed with teeth that are as clean as possible, rather than leaving food debris and sugars on them for several hours.
Brush thoroughly with fluoride toothpaste as the final step in your evening routine. After brushing, avoid snacks, soft drinks, tea, juice and alcohol, consuming only plain water. This is particularly important because saliva flow naturally decreases during sleep, reducing your mouth's ability to neutralise acids.
The same caution applies to coffee drinkers. Since coffee is acidic, brushing immediately afterwards can spread acid across tooth surfaces and increase erosion risk. Dr Pratt advises waiting 20-30 minutes after coffee before brushing, while rinsing with water can help dilute acidity in the meantime.
