How Long Do I Have to Wait to Eat After Brushing My Teeth?
Brushing your teeth is the best way to protect them. You can clean off plaque buildup and food particles together! This stops the buildup of bacteria that cause bad breath and even cavities. Brushing your teeth multiple times a day (like you should) means that sooner or later, you’re going to have to eat after brushing. When you can, lean towards later, rather than sooner. Eating too soon after brushing your teeth can weaken your tooth’s enamel and cause more problems down the line.
Drinking orange juice after brushing teeth
Orange juice is loaded with the vitamin C you need to stay healthy. It’s also loaded with acid! Citric acid is extremely hard on your teeth. It’s strong enough to weaken your enamel temporarily! If you find yourself craving that standard morning pick me up after brushing your teeth, resist temptation! If you wait at least 30 minutes, your teeth will thank you. Brushing your teeth can naturally (and temporarily) weaken your enamel. You get everything clean, but the abrasive action of the toothbrush is the price you pay. If you sip orange juice while your enamel is still weak, the citric acid has a chance to go wild on your vulnerable teeth! Wait half an hour before indulging in a citrus drink of any type, from orange juice to lemonade.
Eating after brushing teeth
While some foods are easier on your teeth than others, as a general rule you should wait at least thirty minutes after brushing to eat. It’s just playing it safe. A better way to handle things, however, is to plan when you’re brushing your teeth more carefully. There’s no reason to brush your teeth directly before eating. To keep your teeth healthy, you need to brush after every meal anyway. Hold off on brushing your teeth in the morning until after breakfast, for example. If you start your day with breakfast, then shower and get ready, brush your teeth right before you step out the door. Then don’t eat again until lunch!
Can I drink milk after brushing my teeth
People think of milk as a very soothing drink. It can help calm your stomach and get you ready to sleep, but it’s not a good choice for a post-tooth brushing refreshment. Milk has a lot of natural sugar in it. Letting sugar coat teeth that have just been brushed can prompt plaque buildup. There are always germs in your mouth, even right after brushing your teeth. Drinking milk is like giving them a feast! If the bacteria digest the sugar and excrete acid onto your still weakened enamel, it can prompt tooth decay. Follow the general thirty-minute rule before sipping milk after brushing your teeth!
Brushing your teeth is great in the long run, but it can temporarily weaken your enamel. Follow the general rule of waiting thirty minutes after brushing to eat or drink. Better yet, plan your day so brushing happens after eating!