As we all probably know, brushing your teeth is one of the most important aspects of your oral hygiene routine. It helps in removing food particles, bacteria and plaque from the surface of your teeth and in and around your gums thus keeping your mouth clean and healthy between professional cleanings.
Most pediatric orthodontists Roanoke or around the globe recommend you brush at least two times a day. It begins as ideally first thing in the morning and then right before bed. If you want to add an extra brushing session to your routine to optimize your oral health then it might make the most sense for you to brush after every meal. And with the affordable braces prices in Roanoke and the growing popularity of Invisalign in Roanoke and nearby areas, individuals with such arrangements need to take extra care while brushing. There are many suggestions to keep your teeth healthy and if you are brushing regularly but find that a regular toothbrush is not doing the best for you, then you can switch to an electric toothbrush. The small, round, and rotating heads of electric toothbrushes make it easier for some people to clean those hard-to-reach spots and clean them comprehensively.
How to Brush Your Teeth Effectively?
You should avoid brushing your teeth after a meal for at least 30 minutes if you consume some foods that are acidic. Some of the examples include breakfast foods and drinks such as toast, citrus, and coffee that fit the criteria for acidic food. When you brush first thing in the morning, you also kickstart your saliva production. One small study conducted among individuals with braces of age 21 older adults showed that after brushing, the participants saw their saliva production take elevation for up to 5 minutes. This saliva helps in breaking down the food particles and naturally kills harmful bacteria in your mouth.
Brushing your teeth properly is as important as how and when you brush. Whether you are making use of an electric toothbrush or a standard manual toothbrush made out of nylon bristles, however, you can follow the steps mentioned below.
- Wet your brush head with the help of a small amount of water to lubricate it. Add a small amount of fluoride mineral toothpaste, about as the size of a pea.
- Brush your teeth at right angles so you can get to spots where it is hard to reach. Brush for at least 2 minutes thus making sure you are brushing your front teeth, the sides of your teeth and the chewing surface of your teeth.
- Brush off the bacterial residue from your tongue that may have accumulated during the process.
- At last, Spit out any leftover toothpaste inside of your mouth.
Brushing Immediately After Eating?
One of the most surprising facts about caring for your oral health is that you should actually wait for at least an hour after eating before you do the brushing. Pediatric dentists in Roanoke suggest that brushing right after a meal may actually do more damage than good. Hence, you should consider waiting at least an hour for your mouth to recover from the acid assault obtained from food consumption. Also, don’t forget to brush at least twice a day and for two minutes each time, you brush.
Why Shouldn’t You Brush Immediately After Eating
Your tooth enamel is the hardest substance present in your body and its main function is to protect your teeth. This layer or tooth enamel can be disturbed by acids that are created under the influence of food and they have the potential to wear away that protective enamel. When you consume food items, the acid level gets elevated and your teeth are at their weakest state. Your body has a natural mechanism to correct the high acid levels in your mouth and return it to a proper pH level value. It is mainly the work of saliva to naturally wash away food particles and give your enamel the balance it needs to continue its protective layer work.
Hence, brushing right after meals can mean that you are actually hindering the optimum oral health of your teeth. Even soft-bristled toothbrushes can be highly dangerous when the enamel is already weakened due to high acid levels. Therefore, it will be best to let saliva do its job after you have your meal. You can also help the process by rinsing your mouth with water, flossing, or chewing sugarless gum which will help to increase the amount of saliva in your mouth.
Final Thoughts:
When you are looking to protect your tooth enamel then brushing it right after you wake up in the morning is better than brushing your teeth after the breakfast itself and this is clear from the above informative blog too and still If you need to brush your teeth after breakfast or after any meal, try to wait 30 to 60 minutes before you brush. Stay elegant by keeping that beautiful smile intact with yourself.
