Bad habits can always creep into our dental care, especially when we are overwhelmed and anxious, as many of us are with the current health crisis. Or maybe you’ve tightened up your oral health regimen while in self-isolation to avoid the need to visit the dentist. Wherever you fall on this spectrum, this one tip can literally save your enamel—and many of our patients have never heard it.
It’s all in the timing.
The American Dental Association (ADA) advises that individuals brush at least twice a day for two minutes and floss at least once. While brushing after every meal or snack might be ideal, it’s often too much for our patients. And depending on how—and more specifically when—you brush your teeth, you may be doing more harm than good.
Delay your brushing.
We’ve all been there. You wake up a little late, drink a quick cup of coffee while you’re getting ready and then brush your teeth before you head off to work—or head to the couch for your next zoom meeting. What’s wrong with that? You had to get rid of your coffee breath, right?
While your family members or coworkers might appreciate it, the problem for your teeth is that most foods and beverages, especially sugary or acidic ones, soften the enamel of your teeth. If you brush right after drinking coffee or eating a bagel, you could be damaging your teeth’s enamel. It might take a little more mindfulness and planning, but you should always wait 30 minutes after eating or drinking (except water) to brush your teeth.
The opposite is also true: you should wait 30 minutes after your brush to eat or drink. Brushing is a naturally abrasive action which, ironically, can temporarily weaken the enamel. So drinking that OJ or diet soda right after you brush might not taste so good and is also damaging to your enamel.
Drink lots of water.
Not only is it important to stay hydrated, but drinking plenty of water helps to rinse your teeth and mouth. The longer acid or sugar from the item you’ve just consumed sits in your mouth, the more harm it does to your teeth. So while you’re waiting between eating and brushing, drink lots of water. You can even swish some water around your mouth and spit it out in the sink. If you are the kind of person that sips on several cups of coffee in the morning or multiple diet cokes in the afternoon, keep drinking water along with these beverages.
Even when you aren’t eating or drinking an acidic or sugary beverage, you should still be consuming lots of water. That’s because your saliva is an important piece to your dental health. In addition to essential minerals that help strengthen your enamel, saliva is made up primarily of water. And dry mouth is a double-edged sword: you don’t have the benefits of nature’s mineralizing mouthwash and a dry oral cavity promotes the growth of harmful bacteria.
Other ways to freshen your mouth.
Chewing gum is a safe option if you want that minty-fresh taste but can’t brush your teeth. Xylitol gum, in particular, can help rinse and neutralize the acids released by the bacteria in plaque, which are harmful to tooth enamel.
Add a few drops of organic peppermint essential oil to water and swish around your mouth. Peppermint oil has antibacterial properties and can also help with indigestion. Be sure not to swallow. If you use organic it shouldn’t be harmful to ingest, but the goal is to get rid of the bacteria and leftover food particles.
Dentist in Flagstaff
Country Club Dental is your friendly, local dentist in Flagstaff, AZ. If you are concerned about whether or not you are brushing your teeth properly, we are here to help answer your questions. We are currently accepting new patients. Call us to schedule an appointment today!
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use. (12/2/24). Photo by Alex Padurariu on Unsplash
