Is this because you are too worried about your oral health? It is seemingly a simple question but ‘good oral hygiene’ does not demand obsession to brush your teeth all the time. Let’s talk about if your worries are serving any purpose to make your smile pleasant.

All of you, who are obsessed about brushing your teeth more frequently, literally after every single meal, snacks or drinks, are probably making your dentist or your hygienists happy but unknowingly you all are inviting flaws to your smiles by doing that as well.

We are all aware of the long established perception, which states that it is necessary to brush your teeth in the morning to protect your oral health. But practically the frequent usage of brush on the teeth eventually damages the whole purpose of oral hygiene. It is clinically proven and witnessed.

Brushing is important but brushing after every meal is not good oral hygiene. WHY?

Remember those lines from your school textbooks- “The shiny, white enamel that covers your teeth is the hardest substance in the body – even stronger than the bones and it protects the teeth,”?

A surprising fact is that your mere habit of brushing your teeth after every meal can damage this protective shield called enamel, despite being the hardest substance in the body. HOW?

It is a known fact that brushing one’s teeth helps in getting rid of the food particles and sticky deposit on teeth in which bacteria proliferates (Plaque). After you have had your meal or munched on some sugary drink or snack, the bacteria in the plaque is said to produce acids that are likely to damage the tooth enamel to an extent that your enamel may break down or may even build cavities.

In this state, when the protective shield of your teeth is under the effect of acids and are already weak, your toothbrush alone can cause dental abrasion. Abrasion is the progressive loss of the enamel, eventually causing visible notches on your teeth and once the enamel will wear away, the layer of dentin located underneath will be exposed.

According to the medical professionals cum dentists, the dentin is not as hard as enamel and if it gets exposed due to abrasion, the mouth bacteria will lead to tooth decay and there will be no option left other than the extraction.

Does it mean that brushing after every meal should be avoided?

No, brushing your teeth after every meal should not be avoided, because you wait for half-an-hour or a bit more than that to use a brush and avoid vigorous or aggressive brushing. It is suggested that during this half-an-hour time, let your saliva kill the bacteria through its own bacterial enzymes. The saliva washes away those hidden food particles in the teeth.

The significance of brushing usually depends on what you eat. Let’s take an example: If you had a light lunch ending with a salad and some carbonated water, you can go ahead brushing your teeth if you feel the necessity of doing it. However, if you had a lunch with a heavy dessert and a sugary drink, you may have an urge to use the brush but then keep in mind the time gap required between eating and tooth-brushing.

How can you avoid enamel erosion?

• Maintaining a time difference between eating and tooth-brushing as discussed above is the first thing, which can help in preventing enamel erosion. Postpone the brushing at least for 30 minutes after meals.
• Take care of the diet. Avoid brushing after having acidic foods and beverages such as Grapefruit or Orange juice, which may weaken the surface of your teeth.
• Avoid frequent snacking which may continue to produce sticky deposits on teeth.
• Learn the correct ways of brushing from your dentist. Avoid giving a quick scrub to your mouth in the morning or a hurried brushing before sleeping.
• Remember to replace your toothbrush every two-three months or sooner if you find the bristles have become irregular.
• Regularly visit your dentist for check-ups.
• Consume adequate water throughout the day.

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