Should you brush teeth before or after breakfast: Oral health facts

5 min. read

We learn from a very young age that it is key to our oral health to ensure we are brushing twice a day. What we don’t always learn is whether it matters when we brush. In other words, should you brush teeth before or after eating? Maybe you’ve asked yourself these questions before, especially since we know certain foods can “attack” our teeth and weaken their protective layer. 

So, brushing teeth immediately after eating is likely to actually damage your teeth – you’re literally removing the outer layer of the enamel. Therefore, in order to guarantee optimal health of our teeth it’s important not only important to brush regularly, but brush at the right time. Here we’ll explore these facts about brushing teeth after eating:

• Why you should brush after every meal
• How long to wait after eating to brush your teeth
• When to eat after brushing teeth instead 
• What time of day is best to brush your teeth

So, let’s get started. Read on for all the facts about whether you should brush your teeth before or after breakfast, and how long to wait to eat after brushing teeth. With this guide, we’ll help you make sense of all the FAQs and facts in order to protect your enamel and your teeth. 

How long should I wait to start brushing my teeth after eating?

Brushing teeth immediately after eating isn’t a good idea, especially (as we’ve just shown) if you have just consumed acidic or sugary foods and drinks such as fruit, candy, or carbonated drinks. So, you can’t brush immediately, when can you brush your teeth after eating? 

Dentists recommend waiting at least half an hour before brushing your teeth after eating⁴ to allow your saliva enough time to form again, as this helps neutralize the acids. Other reasons we recommend waiting before you start brushing teeth after eating are: 

• The bacteria in your mouth feed on sugars. This bacterium creates waste acids, produces plaque, and can destroy the solid dental enamel surface. 
• With time, you’re risking dental issues. As bacteria, plaque, and tartar can all lead to dental erosion, you could end up with pain-sensitive teeth. In more serious cases, without treatment, you could end up with gum diseases such as gingivitis and periodontal disease.⁵
• Once the enamel is gone, it is lost forever.  While you can take steps to avoid erosion and reverse the effects in the early stages, enamel cannot regrow, so you want to avoid excessive damage to this important part of your teeth.