Best time to brush??

[dopeysgem]

Several online articles and videos are saying that you should brush your teeth before you eat and not right after. So we asked our pediatric dentist and he said don’t worry about it, brushing right after is fine.

What is best for our children?

 

[Dr M]

The reason why they sometimes say this, is that food contains acids that weaken the enamel layer and if you brush directly afterwards, the bristles might damage or abrade the enamel. I don't think it is an issue if you eat, wait half an hour or hour and then brush your teeth.

 

[MattKW]

Well, the advice to wait 30 mins really only applies if you've just had an acidic food like soft drink, fruit juice, sports drinks. Otherwise, as soon as possible after eating is the time, and ALWAYS after your last meal before bedtime.

 

[dopeysgem]

My kids don’t have 30 minutes to wait in the morning before school. They brush right after eating. They usually have milk, bananas, and grapes for breakfast. Sometimes the occasional pancakes.

If these foods are dangerous for brushing right after, should we switch to brushing before? I’ve tried it and it’s a huge undertaking, switching a routine of four children. They hate it. But I want to save their teeth, so how critical is the rule of thumb. Again, their pediatric dentist said don’t worry about it and just go ahead and brush right after eating, no matter what.

 

[MattKW]

That's not an acidic breakfast. So simply eat, brush, and go.
There is no point brushing before eating. You must brush after a meal to remove all the food scraps that the bacteria feed on.