Should You Brush Your Teeth After Eating or Drinking?

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Q: Should you brush your teeth straight after eating or drinking?

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A: Not always, you can damage your teeth if you do so after consuming some foods and drinks.

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Our expert: Dr Peter Alldritt Published 15/03/2011

Have your say Do you brush your teeth as soon as you've finished a meal?

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Sometimes there's nothing better than brushing your teeth, especially w hen something you eat or drink leaves a bad taste in your mouth.

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But could you actually be damaging your teeth by brushing them right after eating or drinking?

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It's possible, says Dr Peter Alldritt, chairman of the Australian Dental Association's oral health committee, especially if you've just consumed something acidic like sugary drinks, w ine, citrus fruits or juice.

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You may have been told to brush your teeth as soon as you finish a meal, but sometimes brushing too soon can damage your teeth.

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"Fruits, particularly orange or lemon juice, vinegar, sport drinks and soft drinks, all have a very high level of acidity in them and w hat they do is soften the enamel," he said.

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"If you then go and brush your teeth straight aw ay you're going to damage the softened enamel."

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Waiting to brush for at least 30 minutes gives your mouth time to produce enough saliva to neutralize the acidity, Alldritt says. This saliva helps your teeth to harden and absorb more calcium, w hich then acts like a coat of armour.

"Saliva contains calcium and phosphate ions and teeth also contain these ions, so saliva acts as a reservoir of calcium and phosphate for your teeth," he said.

"Saliva also contains enzymes and buffers w hich neutralize acid and return the pH of your mouth to neutral over time."

You especially w ant to avoid brushing if you've consumed anything that contains citric acid, found in fruit, or phosphoric acid, w hich most soft drinks are filled w ith. Drinks that combine both of these acids, such as lemon-flavoured fizzy drinks, are harder for saliva to neutralise.

Protecting enamel Enamel is the thin, but very hard, outer coating of your teeth. It protects the inner parts of the tooth including the dentine and the pulp. Only a fraction of a millimeter thick in some parts, enamel never grow s back once it's chipped or w orn aw ay it.

Exposure to acidic foods or drinks is one of the main reasons that enamel w ears aw ay or erodes. This process, know n as tooth erosion, leaves the dentine exposed and your teeth much more sensitive.

"Dentine is very porous and all the holes in this material have little nerves in them, w hich means your teeth w ould be exquisitely sensitive if the enamel w as gone," he said.

Once your teeth become sensitive it can become painful to consume anything hot or cold, or even to brush your teeth. Other signs of tooth erosion include a yellow discolouration, rounded teeth, or even cracking.

You can also damage tooth enamel by grinding your teeth, brushing too hard, or chew ing on hard objects, such as pens.

Alldritt says it's vital you protect every bit of enamel that you have.

So if you enjoy acidic food or drinks then you might w ant to: rinse your mouth w ith tap w ater after eating or drinking (this w ill help reduce the acidity) chew sugar-free gum, (not only does this leave a fresh taste in your mouth, it also encourages saliva production) eat a piece of hard cheese (this can also help w ith the creation of saliva, w hile the calcium in the cheese helps strengthen your teeth).

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Dental care But there are some times w hen you should brush straight aw ay, especially if you have eaten foods that are sticky, such as hard or chew y lollies, caramels or dried fruit.

Not only are these foods high in sugar, they also stick in the crevices of your teeth. The longer that sugar is sitting there, the more likely it is that cavities are going to form in the enamel.

So w hen is the best time to brush your teeth? Dentists recommend you do it tw ice a day: after breakfast and just before bedtime – unless you've just had something acidic.

It's best to avoid eating or drinking after you brush at night, as the toothpaste w ill cover your teeth w ith a thin layer of fluoride, w hich w ill help strengthen your teeth w hile you sleep.

And remember to floss daily to remove food and plaque bacteria from in betw een your teeth, w here your toothbrush can't reach.

Dr Peter Alldritt is chairman of the Australian Dental Association's oral health committee and he spoke to Cassie W hite.

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Sophie Hanan :

11 Nov 2013 6:32:28pm

W hat happens if you eat dick ? Should I w ait 30 mins before brushing ?

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earth citizen :

22 Oct 2013 5:39:51am

In reality, toothpaste is a cosmetic product and commercial fluoride toothpastes contain a plethora of chemicals one can do w ithout. Fluoride is helpful in the first few years of a child's life afterw ards if one eats sensibly and has good oral hygiene it is best not to ingest extra fluoride. Flossing is very important. You can easily brush w ith a soft bristol w ithout any paste unless you like a flavour w hole brushing. There are a good variety of natural and sensible ingredients toothpastes in the market place Alert moderator

Stuart Saunders :

26 Sep 2013 5:16:13pm

Flossing is more important than brushing.

But both is best.

Floss first, then brush, shortly after each meal, w hen mouth is free of loose food particles. Use a soft brush & fluoride (mint optional) toothpaste.

Stuart Saunders.

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drstarbyte :

08 Apr 2011 9:28:13am

I must be the odd one out, I brush my teath about one's every 2 or 3 months and I have w hite teath w hat do I do w rong? to not get them brouw n or black.

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ng :

24 Mar 2011 9:17:32am

W hat about non-sugary foods getting stuck in teeth (like seeds/nuts) - w ill they cause decay if not removed asap?

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Anon :

25 Sep 2013 11:34:14pm

Tooth decay and enamel erosion is commonly caused by acid from food. (citrus, soft drinks, sour candy etc.) Nuts w on't cause decay because they lack substantial acid levels in comparison to things like lemons so you're probably safe from enamel erosion how ever the nut can eventually rot and bacteria can cause decay around the area.

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Denis :

21 Mar 2011 8:58:33am

Great summary, how ever there is no mention of cleaning the stagnant areas betw een the teeth w hich brushing does NOT do.

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Dr. Rod Mitchell :

20 Mar 2011 4:33:07pm

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