Dentist reveals the three times you should never brush your teeth

  • Dentist warns against brushing your teeth after throwing up and eating sugar 
  • That’s because brushing when the mouth is acidic can lead to tooth decay 

We all know we should be brushing our teeth twice a day.

But there are some instances you should never brush them, according to London-based dentist Dr Shaadi Manouchehri.

Using your toothbrush straight after eating breakfast, after vomiting or after chomping on sweets could destroy your enamel, she warned.

Although you may want to clean your mouth as soon as possible if you have been sick, it could make matters worse.

Brushing your teeth straight after eating breakfast, after vomiting or after chomping on sweets could destroy your enamel, says London-based dentist Dr Shaadi Manouchehri who shared her expert advice on Instagram

Brushing your teeth straight after eating breakfast, after vomiting or after chomping on sweets could destroy your enamel. That’s according to London-based dentist Dr Shaadi Manouchehri who shared her expert advice on Instagram

‘The contents of the stomach are extremely acidic and the mouth is in a very acidic state so, if you brush straight after you are basically wearing away your enamel,’ Dr Manouchehri said in an Instagram video shared with her 19,000 followers.

But the mouth is also acidic after eating.

That’s because acid is produced when the bacteria in your mouth breaks down the sugar in food.

This acid dissolves the tooth surface, which is the first stage of tooth decay. 

Therefore, brushing straight after breakfast is never a good idea.

‘When you have just eaten the mouth is in a very acidic state, so if you brush your teeth, you are rubbing that acid on the tooth which is a mineral and it can wear it down,’ according to Dr Manouchehri.

Picking up your toothbrush too soon after eating sweets also risks tooth decay because acid is rubbed around the mouth.

To avoid this, you should wait at least an hour to brush your teeth after having sweets, according to Dr Manouchehri.

She said: ‘When you have just eaten sweets the mouth has digested it into an acid is going to get rubbed on the teeth and destroy the enamel.’

Sugary food and drink are a main cause of tooth decay, according to the NHS.

Tooth decay can be caused by the build-up of a sticky layer of bacteria called plaque.

Over time this bacteria damages the surface of your teeth, causing holes and white, brown or blacks spots to appear on the tooth.

Other signs of tooth decay include a toothache and a sharp pain in the tooth when eating or drinking hot, cold or sweet things. 

SYMPTOMS OF TOOTH DECAY AND HOW TO PREVENT IT

Eating too much sugary food and drink can lead to tooth decay. It is important to see a dentist as soon as possible if you think your child has tooth decay. 

It is caused by a build of a sticky layer of bacteria called plaque. Over time this damages the surface of your teeth.  

The symptoms:

  • A hole forming in the tooth
  • Toothache 
  • A sharp pain in your tooth when eating or drinking hot, cold or sweet things
  • White, brown or black spots on your tooth

How to prevent it:

  • Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste 
  • Use floss or interdental brushes to clean between your teeth every day 
  • Have regular dental check-ups

Source: NHS 

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