Brushing Teeth (when to)

[Baldy881]

It pains me terribly to admit, but I had to eat a rather large slice of humble pie earlier this week after a small scale disagreement with the OH.

She was brushing Jnr's teeth before we went down to breakfast to 'speed up the morning routine a little' (he's not yet a fan of teeth brushing and it can often take a few minutes with a bit of a tantrum thrown in). So I asked what was the point in doing that before he's had breakfast? We have always got up, dressed, had breakfast and then brushed teeth/used mouthwash just before leaving the house. I have done that for as many years as I can remember!

So, as i'm walking out of the door after patronisingly suggesting she's a silly sausage, I say 'why don't you google when you should brush your teeth?!' and left the house.

Lo and behold, upon arriving at work there's an email waiting for me (that I believe she took great pleasure in sending) and the following link... http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/dentalhealth/Pages/Teet...

Well blow me! So, NHS (and many other sources) say you should brush your teeth before breakfast and never straight after a meal (presumably breakfast included). I offered my sincerest apologies and now adopt this approach myself. It certainly makes it easier getting out of the house on a morning although having bits of cereal hanging out of my gob i'm sure is of no appeal to anyone.

Makes me wonder how many people know this? Like I say, I have always considered brushing teeth after breakfast the only correct way.

Edited by Baldy881 on Friday 16th August 12:00

[Hoofy]

Yes, I've only learnt about this in the last couple of years thanks to one of the PH dentists.

Same thinking should also be applied to late night snacks.

[22s]

I've always done this.

I haven't read your link, but I think the reasoning behind it is that sugars in food temporarily weaken the enamel on your teeth and by brushing you risk damaging them.

Most people do brush after breakfast in my experience. However, I have never had a filling and most of them have.

[rog007]

Brushing regularly and correctly is what is important (and flossing may be even more important than that!). Once that has been mastered, then 'when' can be introduced too. There is a school of thought that suggests that brushing after eating spreads and rubs in the sugars allowing them a better chance to do their thing. Of course, to beat this the best thing is to avoid those sugary and starchy foods in the first place.

[V8covin]

I know the correct procedure but I prefer to leave the house in the morning with a nice clean tasting mouth and go to bed the same way...you never know when the girlfriend is going to want a snog

[SAS Tom]

What if you don't want minty cereal?

[cslwannabe]

Definitely brush before breakfast if you drink orange juice etc otherwise you risk damaging your teeth

[Opara]

Brush>Eat>Floss>Mouthwash seems to cover all bases

[Flibble]

Hmm I always brush afterwards to avoid the whole breakfast tastes horrible issue, but maybe I should flip that around, interesting. Evening is less of an issue as I tend to eat over an hour before I go to bed (and thus brush my teeth).

[stevenjhepburn]

I've always brushed before breakfast and before bed. My mouth can taste/smell bad in the morning so a clean mouth before eating is far preferable.

[sparks_E39]

SAS Tom said:

What if you don't want minty cereal?

I've always found the mint taste goes away within 10 minutes.

[Meoricin]

Out of bed, into shower with toothbrush - brush in shower, then dry/dress and downstairs for breakfast. By the time I've cooked it, the minty taste is long gone.

[fridaypassion]

Pah! This kind of advice is the stuff that will get changed back in 10 years time.

As a 34 year old with perfect teeth and not a single filling I brush AFTER brekky and before bed with gum after each meal.

[fridaypassion]

Pah! This kind of advice is the stuff that will get changed back in 10 years time.

As a 34 year old with perfect teeth and not a single filling I brush AFTER brekky and before bed with gum after each meal.