While brushing your teeth can sometimes feel like a chore, it is essential for our oral health. Modern diets, which often consist of processed foods and refined sugars, can negatively impact our teeth and gums. Fortunately, brushing your teeth can help clear out harmful bacteria from your mouth and prevent gum disease, infection, and tooth decay, per the Mayo Clinic. With all of the benefits brushing your teeth has to offer, you might be keen on brushing as much as possible. However, there is such a thing as brushing your teeth too much.
When you brush your teeth too hard, or too many times in a day, you are at risk of wearing down your tooth enamel, making your teeth more sensitive, and even risking gum recession (via Colgate). To prevent overbrushing, you may want to consider the ideal times to brush your teeth. For example, is it better to brush before or after you eat in the morning? In an exclusive interview with Health Digest, NYC-based cosmetic dentist to the stars, Dr. Daniel Rubinshtein, aka Dr. Daniel, answers this question and provides some other tips for morning oral hygiene care.
Do you brush your teeth before or after breakfast?
The best time to brush your teeth is right when you get up. “The sooner the better!” says Dr. Daniel. “You want to get rid of the bacteria that was growing on your mouth overnight. If you do need to brush after your morning cup of coffee, it’s best to wait 30 min to do so. That way you won’t scratch your teeth which can erode your enamel.”
When it comes to the best types of dental products, there are some that are better than others. “Natural toothpaste and mouthwash alternatives such as oil pulling, and oral probiotics to support a healthy oral microbiome and overall wellness are always a better option such as hello’s Bye Bye Bacteria Mouthwash,” says Dr. Daniel. He also recommends flossing, using a Waterpik, and rinsing with alcohol-free mouthwash because it won’t further dry out your mouth. For those times when you don’t have anything on hand, Dr. Daniel recommends rinsing your mouth with a little water as it helps to balance the pH of your mouth.
Check out Dr. Daniel’s TikTok page to keep up with his latest videos.
