People have been told that they should brush their teeth right after eating for years. Because of this advice, a lot of people think that they should brush their teeth after they have eaten, so they do it. However, new research shows that this might be the worst thing that you can do to keep your teeth healthy. Your toothbrush might be more damaging to your teeth if you use it right after you eat certain kinds of foods.

The enamel of the teeth is like the shield of your teeth. It’s a hard exterior made of minerals on each tooth. Your enamel is your body’s hardest part, and it’s even stronger when compared with bones. But even with its high strength, it has a weakness, and that weakness is acid.

Healthy teeth live in mouths with healthy and proper pH balances. When the balance goes from alkaline to too acidic, something known as demineralization starts. This happens when the acid attacks the surface of the tooth and softens it. Fissures and pores form and then the harmful bacteria start moving in.

Every time you take a drink or a bite of something, the pH in your mouth will fluctuate. Foods that are highly acidic will turn your mouth acidic. Some of the foods that are highly acidic are:

  • Soda
  • Citrus fruits
  • Sugary foods

These are just a few of the items that are acidic, but they are also the ones that most people eat. There are lots of others.

So now you’re wondering how brushing right after you eat food will make the process worse.

After you have eaten food that is highly acidic, your teeth are going to be susceptible to becoming damaged. When you’re brushing your teeth in this state that is weaker than average, you’re causing damage to your enamel. Your brush’s abrasive bristles will wear away your tooth’s protective surface. You shouldn’t brush for a minimum of an hour, or you can take other easy preventative measures right after eating.

The first thing you should do is drink some clear water or rinse with it. Then you should chew sugarless gum. These two practices are going to produce saliva, restoring a pH level that is healthy inside your mouth and coating teeth with some nourishing minerals. When you’re looking for sugarless gum, look for one that lists xylitol as its first Ingredient. You can also consume milk, cheese or another type of non-acidic drinks or food for concluding the meal.

Once your mouth has had enough time to go back to its healthy pH level, you can feel good about brushing your teeth. You just want to remember there any time you’re eating foods that are acidic; you’re weakening your teeth. So be sure that you’re not worsening your problem by immediately brushing after eating so that your teeth are damaged much more. The tips and guidelines in this article are the reasons why it’s best to wait.