The best time to brush your teeth, according to a dentist

There are two types of people in the world: those who brush their teeth before breakfast and those who brush their teeth after breakfast. But which group is right?

Dr. Jossen Gastelum, a Phoenix-based dentist better known as @doctorjossen on TikTok, is a proponent of brushing your teeth before breakfast.

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“In my opinion, brushing your teeth before breakfast helps to add a protective coating onto your teeth and can even help to stimulate your saliva before you eat breakfast,” Gastelum tells Fortune. “Saliva helps to buffer out the acidity in your mouth. This means that your teeth are more prone to acid attacks in the morning right when you wake up—not to mention morning breath.”

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But if you insist on brushing your teeth after your first meal of the day, Gastelum suggests waiting at least 30 minutes after you’ve finished eating, as the acids in your food and drinks (especially coffee) can damage the enamel, while the American Dental Association recommends waiting at least an hour after eating to brush your teeth.

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Other ways to protect your teeth:

• Aim to brush your teeth at least twice a day: once in the morning and once before going to bed. “Both times are equally important in my opinion, but before bed is especially crucial because you want to brush away all the plaque accumulated during the day,” says Gastelum.
• Use a soft or extra-soft toothbrush. Adults should use a pea-size amount of toothpaste and hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle toward the gums while brushing back and forth in short strokes to get every tooth. Aggressive brushing can result in gum recession and enamel wear.
• Change your toothbrush every three to four months, or anytime after you’ve been sick.
• Floss at least once a day to help reduce your chances of getting cavities between your teeth.
• Find a toothpaste flavor you’re excited to use; invest in an electric toothbrush (many of them include built-in timers so you know exactly how long to brush); and brush with a friend, family member, or roommate.

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Read L’Oreal Thompson Payton’s full article here.

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