"Don't brush your teeth at this time"... 3 situations to avoid brushing your teeth, according to a dentist.

Once a tooth breaks or falls out, it is difficult to restore it. This highlights the critical importance of thorough brushing and dental care on a daily basis. However, there are instances where you should actually avoid brushing your teeth. According to foreign media outlets such as The Mirror on the 5th (local time), Dr. Shadi Manousery, a dentist in London, introduced three specific situations on his social media platform TikTok, describing them as “the only times you might be told not to brush your teeth.” These are after drinking coffee or eating a meal, and immediately after vomiting. Let’s examine the reasons for each in detail.

 

◇ Immediately after drinking coffee

 

You should avoid brushing your teeth immediately after drinking coffee.

Dr. Shadi Manouseri stated, "Coffee is acidic, and adding milk and sugar makes it even more acidic." He explained, "Brushing your teeth immediately after drinking acidic coffee rubs the acid against your teeth, causing them to wear down." He added, "I recommend waiting about 20 to 30 minutes or using mouthwash." In fact, the acidity of coffee erodes the thin protective layer on the tooth surface, and brushing at this time can cause severe irritation. Additionally, coffee contains tannins, which can combine with proteins remaining in the mouth to penetrate the tiny pores on the tooth surface and cause discoloration. To prevent tooth discoloration caused by coffee, it is best to drink it within 30 minutes and rinse your mouth with water immediately afterward.

◇ Immediately after a meal

 

According to Dr. Shadi Manucheri, it is best not to brush your teeth even immediately after eating.

He said, “Brushing your teeth immediately after a meal can damage the enamel for similar reasons as drinking coffee.” In particular, brushing your teeth before meals in the morning is beneficial for dental health. Plaque, the cause of cavities, usually forms most abundantly while you sleep at night. This is because brushing immediately after waking up not only effectively removes plaque but also helps stimulate the secretion of saliva, which acts to kill bacteria. Dr. Shadi Manouscheri also stated, “In fact, since there are many bacteria in the mouth when you wake up in the morning, it is better to brush before breakfast.”

 

◇ Immediately after vomiting

 

After vomiting, you should first rinse your mouth thoroughly with water and then brush your teeth.

This is because stomach acid remaining in the mouth can erode teeth and impair the gums' ability to regenerate. "People often want to brush their teeth after vomiting because of the smell. However, stomach contents are acidic, while teeth are minerals," said Dr. Shadi Manucheri. "When stomach contents enter the mouth, the mouth is already acidic, so brushing at this stage only rubs more acid onto the teeth." He added, "It is best to wait about 30 minutes to an hour after vomiting before brushing. If you want to get rid of the smell of vomit, I recommend rinsing your mouth with mouthwash. This helps neutralize the acid in the mouth."

 

 

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Right after drinking coffee..

I've heard of Cola,

I've never heard of that before.

 

I should make a note after drinking coffee.