It’s our duty as parents to teach our children the skills they’ll need to live a long and happy life. Oral hygiene habits are no exception! You’ve likely impressed upon your child(ren) the importance of brushing and flossing every day to avoid cavities. Did you know, though, that you might have them brushing at the wrong time? Depending on whether they brush before or after breakfast, for example, they might get different results. Keep reading to learn more!
Benefits Before Breakfast
There are a few benefits to brushing your teeth before breakfast that might have you switching up your little one’s routine. They are:
- Killing bacteria. Plaque-causing bacteria tend to thrive overnight. When your child brushes their teeth right when they wake up, they remove this germ growth.
- Protecting teeth. Many brands of children’s toothpaste contain fluoride which helps to strengthen and protect teeth. That means that when they do eat breakfast, their teeth will already be more protected against acidic ingredients that could wear down the natural enamel.
- Increasing saliva. Brushing teeth induces saliva production which helps to break down food and kill harmful bacteria in their mouths.
Why Not Brush After Breakfast?
Like many, you may think that brushing after breakfast helps to clear away the debris from the food that was just consumed, but that’s not always the case. If it’s easier for your child to wait until after eating, then continue on! Keep in mind, though, that there are drawbacks you may not have considered:
- Acidic damage. Many breakfast foods like orange juice, citrus, dried fruits, and pastries have acidic ingredients that your child’s teeth have no natural protection against until they’ve brushed them.
- Distributing damage. Your child may in fact be spreading the acidity from these ingredients around their mouths if they wait until after breakfast to brush. This could eventually lead to deterioration over time.
Instead of removing harmful bacteria, by brushing their teeth after breakfast, your loved one may actually be doing more harm than good! It’s better to have them wait 30-60 minutes after eating to avoid this dilemma.
No parent wants to deliberately encourage less-than-optimal habits that could negatively impact their child’s well-being. Though it’s better to brush after breakfast than not at all, you might consider proposing a change so that your child enjoys the natural protection from brushing before breakfast!
About the Author
Dr. Ryne S. Paulson earned his doctorate of dental surgery from Creighton University in Omaha, NE and has been practicing dentistry for six years. He takes pride in making oral health care fun for children, and his sense of humor will have them smiling through the entire visit. If you would like to schedule a routine appointment for your child, feel free to contact the office on the website or by calling (307) 266-1997.