Do you brush before or after breakfast? A quick canvas of the Grazia offices revealed that almost everyone does it after their morning cereal. But according to the experts, this isn’t a ‘cream or jam first?’ type of question because there’s only one right way to do it. So, put down the toothbrush and take note.
In a recent post by Dr Shaadi Manouchehri on Instagram entitled ‘3 times you should NEVER brush your teeth’, brushing after breakfast was her number one no-no (the other two were brushing after vomiting and brushing after eating sweets). The reason? 'When you eat, an acidic environment is created in the mouth and if you go in and brush your teeth straight away you’re basically rubbing that acid onto your teeth which are made up of minerals and this can damage them, make them more yellow and making them more susceptible to getting cavities.'
She explains that when we sleep, saliva production (which helps keep our teeth and mouths healthy) slows down meaning that bacteria can multiply. Not only do these bacteria then feed off any food you eat, producing acid as they do so, breakfast foods such as citrus fruits and coffee are also acidic leading to a double whammy of enamel erosion. 'If you go in with your toothbrush before you have your breakfast you will be removing or reducing that bacterial load which is going to help minimise the damage that’s done to your teeth.' And if you really have to brush your teeth after breakfast (smoked salmon, we’re looking at you) wait at least 30-60 minutes after eating before you do.
But it’s not just toothbrushing that can help blitz the bacteria notes Dr. Reena Wadia (who has created an antibacterial mouth cleanse packed with vitamins that you can swallow 'Toothbrushing is vital but don’t forget the rest of your mouth!' she urges. 'TikTok videos tagged ‘tonguescraper’ are amassing 253M views. This simple practice ensures you can remove 95% of harmful bacteria in a simple scrape and managing the mouth’s microbiome is essential for maintaining not only oral health but also overall well-being. The mouth is home to a complex community of bacteria, both beneficial and potentially harmful. When this balance is disrupted, it can lead to an increased risk of gum disease, tooth decay, and even systemic health issues.'
Level up your routine clean to a spa-like wellness journey with a ‘Guided Biofilm Therapy’ at the Nejati Clinic and shop the products which support beneficial microbes whilst also being easy-on-the-eyes.
Shop: Your Teeth-Cleaning Essentials
bydrreena.com
Freshen up on the go (or post-breakfast as we don’t brush after we eat any more) with this chic mouth cleanse. Packed with vitamins A, C and E to keep gums healthy as well as an antiseptic to fight harmful bacteria
www.ordolife.com
I admit, it was the ‘Pearl Violet’ hue that first reeled me in but this dentist-approved electric toothbrush is a bone fide brush master boasting 40,00 sonic pulses per minute with 4 bespoke brush modes. Bacteria (and spinach) don’t stand a chance.
www.selahatin.com
Swedish-Turkish founder Kristoffer Vural wanted to turn toothbrushing into an act of self-care and this ‘perfume for your mouth’ range (which doesn’t look dissimilar to the handcream from another Swedish brand known for its luxury perfumes) makes the mundane exceptional.
gem-products.co.uk
‘Disruptor’ and ‘oral care’ are not often lauded in the same sentence but Gem is not your average dental product brand. Aside from the covetable packaging, the dentist-driven formulations are all ‘free from the bad stuff’ (think parabens, triclosan and SLS) whilst being full of the good stuff like probiotics and natural oils.
www.trysuri.com
Instagram’s algorithm got me but I’m glad it did as once I got this aluminium sonic toothbrush (the heads are plant-based and recyclable) in my bathroom I loved it. It has a 40+ day battery life and the UV travel case kills 99.9% of those pesky bacteria.
www.mahsa.co.uk
Trad mouthwashes (the ones that feel like they’ve stripped away your cheeks cells) contain alcohol and are unsurprisingly not great for your oral microbiome but this herby bad-breath buster is mouthwash 2.0. Containing rosemary which has long been used as a remedy for gingivitis and gum disease it contains strong antimicrobial properties
FAQS
Should we brush our teeth before or after breakfast?
Before. Bacteria builds up in our mouths overnight and feeds off any food we eat creating acid as they do so, so brushing after breakfast is essentially rubbing that acid into our teeth. Brushing after eating acidic breakfast foods such as citrus fruits can cause further damage so wait at least half an hour until a more alkaline pH balance is restored.
Should I brush my teeth right after waking up?
Yes. The bacterial load is highest upon waking as saliva production slows as we sleep. Brushing as soon as you wake up (tongue scraping is great too) will help to reduce the amount of bacteria in your mouth.
When is the best time to brush your teeth?
The best time to brush your teeth is upon waking and before bed. Always wait at least 30-60 minutes to brush after eating.
Main image credit: Selahatin
Cassie Steer is acting head of beauty at Grazia with over 25 years’ experience on women’s glossies. She previously served as Beauty Director at Instyle and beauty editor at Marie Claire and her work has featured in Stylist, Sunday Times Style, the Telegraph, net-a-porter.com, glamour.com amongst many more.