Should You Brush Your Teeth Before or After Breakfast?

Brushing your teeth is one of the most important things you can do to protect your dental health. It helps to remove bacteria that form a thin film called plaque on the teeth. If you don’t clean away plaque, it can cause tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease (periodontitis).

To prevent plaque buildup, experts recommend brushing your teeth at least twice daily: Once right before bed and once after waking up. 

Whether you brush your teeth before or after breakfast may affect your dental health. Brushing before breakfast seems to be a healthier choice, though there are ways to make brushing after breakfast more effective. Most importantly, brush frequently enough, regardless of the exact time in the morning.

While you sleep, plaque-causing bacteria build up in your mouth. This bacterial growth is why you wake up with morning breath. The buildup also lowers the pH in your mouth, making it more acidic. This acidity breaks down enamel (the hard, outer layer of the tooth)

If you don’t brush away plaque, it starts to harden and form calculus (tartar). This material also damages enamel and can cause gum disease, tooth decay, gingivitis, and other problems.  

Brushing first thing in the morning gets rid of morning breath, removes bacteria, and disrupts the cycle of plaque formation. It also stimulates saliva (spit) production, which helps protect the teeth and gums from plaque bacteria.

While more research is needed, brushing first thing in the morning before you eat or drink anything seems to be better for your teeth.

Brushing after breakfast may be helpful in some cases. Especially if you’ve had a meal rich in sugars or carbohydrates, brushing after eating can clear away plaque-forming bacteria. One small study found lower bacteria levels in people who waited until after breakfast to brush their teeth than before.

Brushing too soon after consuming certain foods or drinks may soften and erode tooth enamel. Common breakfast choices like coffee or orange juice raise the acidity levels in your mouth, which leaves your teeth sensitive to damage from brushing. Saliva neutralizes this acidity and restores mineral content to your teeth, but it takes time.

If you decide to brush after breakfast, wait 30-60 minutes after you’ve finished eating or drinking. That way, you can remove bacteria without damaging your teeth.

Generally, dental health experts don’t have a stance on whether it’s better to brush first thing in the morning or after eating breakfast. Instead, they emphasize the role tooth brushing plays in protecting your teeth. It’s essential to brush for two minutes twice a day, in the morning and before bed.

Several other practices can also help you protect your teeth, especially after you eat. Drinking water (not sugary or carbonated beverages) can help wash away food particles and manage bacteria. Chewing sugar-free gum after meals can also help, as it stimulates saliva flow and combats plaque formation.

Your tooth-brushing technique is also important. If you brush improperly, food particles and bacteria remain between the teeth, especially in hard-to-reach areas or along your gumline. This allows plaque and tartar to form.

Brushing too firmly and using only side-to-side motions can cause tooth erosion and damage your gums.

Here’s what to keep in mind:

• Toothbrush choice: Research suggests powered toothbrushes are better at removing plaque and preventing gum disease, likely because they require less skill, coordination, and practice.
• Angle: When brushing, keep the angle of the manual or electric toothbrush at 45 degrees to your gums. Approach from a diagonal, rather than straight on.
• Motions: When using a manual toothbrush, use gentle, back-and-forth strokes. For the inner surfaces of your front teeth, turn the brush so it is more vertical and use up-and-down motions.
• Surfaces: Brush every tooth’s outside surfaces, inside surfaces, and chewing surfaces.
• Tongue brushing: Brushing your tongue helps freshen your breath and remove bacteria. You can also use a tongue scraper for this job.  

Consistent and proper tooth brushing is just one component of good oral health. Oral hygiene practices and lifestyle adjustments can also help you maintain or improve your oral health.

Flossing

Along with brushing twice a day, make sure to floss at least once a day. String floss or devices like Waterpiks (water flossers) can help. Flossing is the only way to remove food particles lodged between teeth, which can lead to plaque and tartar buildup and cavities.

Fluoride Toothpaste

Fluoride is a mineral that strengthens teeth and prevents cavities by adding mineral content to the enamel. When picking a toothpaste, choose an option with fluoride.

Dietary Choices

To protect your teeth, it may also help to change what you eat and drink. Plaque-causing bacteria feed on sugar; consider limiting or cutting out sugar-rich foods or beverages.  

Quit Smoking

Smoking tobacco can cause dry mouth. The lack of saliva allows plaque-causing bacteria to thrive, increasing the risk of cavities and gum disease. Quitting can be an effective way to protect your teeth, and it prevents them from becoming stained, a common effect of smoking.

Checkups and Dental Cleanings

Regular visits to a dentist play a critical role in managing oral health. While brushing and flossing can remove plaque, only a dentist or dental hygienist can remove tartar buildup. Dentists can also screen for any existing or potential dental issues, such as gingivitis or cavities.

For adults with healthy teeth, experts recommend an appointment every six months.

Experts recommend brushing your teeth once in the morning and once at night. Brushing before breakfast is a good idea to help remove the bacteria that build up in your mouth overnight, preventing plaque and gum disease.

If you’ve had breakfast, it’s still fine to brush your teeth. You may want to wait 30-60 minutes before brushing, which allows the saliva in your mouth to neutralize acids, preventing possible damage to your tooth enamel.