Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Flip

Original poster

Brush teeth before breakfast?

25 replies

Sophiebrown85 · 25/02/2022 11:22

Hey everyone!

I am new here. Single mum to a lovely 13 year old daughter Susie. Susie had something called "Enamel Hypoplasia" which means her enamel are a bit weaker than ours. So took her to the dentist and the dentist said her teeth have stared to show some early signs of decay due to enamel damage. One thing she told her was to brush before breakfast because of acid reactions or something I do not understand.

We tried doing it for a couple of days (because I wanted to support my daughter) , but neither of us could stand the toothpaste taste while having our cereals. Called up the dentist and she said to leave an hour between breakky and brushing. So we leave an hour or so after breakfast before brushing teeth (which means I brush my teeth once I drive to work and she gets to school!).

I was so puzzled by it ,maybe I am being a bit daft but do you guys feel the same way if you were to brush your teeth BEFORE breakfast?

OP posts:

refreshingseahorse · 25/02/2022 11:27

I brush when I wake up, but then there is an hour before I eat breakfast so it wears off a bit. A cup of tea / coffee washes away the toothpaste taste if you have to eat sooner.

mummymei · 25/02/2022 11:28

Yes, I've always brushed before breakfast. I always thought the idea was to stop the old bacteria in your mouth mixing with the new.

However, my husband thought it most odd when we met 20* years ago. I've no idea what he does

Mumski45 · 25/02/2022 11:30

Did the dentist not mean brush before breakfast and leave an hour before eating rather than the other way round.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

13 year olds Dental health

MaizeAmaze · 25/02/2022 11:30

I know the guidance about brushing before food, but can't get over the minty breakfast either, so brush afterwards.
I also don't have an hour between getting out of bed and leaving for work, so just spread it as much as possible.

Creeeper · 25/02/2022 11:30

@mummymei

Yes, I've always brushed before breakfast. I always thought the idea was to stop the old bacteria in your mouth mixing with the new.

However, my husband thought it most odd when we met 20* years ago. I've no idea what he does

Why would it matter if any old and new bacteria mix? Surely if you brush after breakfast it cleans everything away?

Cakelover17 · 25/02/2022 11:31

I’ve always brushed before breakfast as it’s better for your teeth. You could try a milder toothpaste if it’s bothering you? I think you’ll get use to it though, just give it some time!

SpiderVersed · 25/02/2022 11:33

When you eat your mouth is acidic, and if you brush afterwards you are scrubbing your teeth with that (mild) acid. Over time it degrades the enamel.

You should brush before eating or over an hour after eating to avoid that.

Tiredly · 25/02/2022 11:34

I've always brushed before breakfast. Can't stand eating with dry morning mouth yuk.
I brush my teeth right away then do everything else like wash and put clothes on then by the time I'm downstairs the minthy taste has gone.
Also you shiudl be rinsing mouth completely after brushing so no toothpaste is left ( advice from my dentist as she said most people just spit out and don't rinse after brushing)

Littlemissprosecco · 25/02/2022 11:34

Brushing before breakfast means the teeth are protected with fluoride etc.. from the acids/ sugars in the food.
You always need to leave an hour after eating if you want to brush after, to minimise damage

WensleydaleCrumbs · 25/02/2022 11:36

It's best to brush before breakfast as the food particles/ sugar react with the plaque in your mouth which then causes the tooth decay.
Also, if you brush straight after eating anything acidic, you'll be brushing healthy enamel away as the acid in foods and drinks softens the enamel for up to two hours after.

I think your dentist meant brush your teeth, then leave it an hour before breakfast if you don't like the taste of eating straight after.

Littlemissprosecco · 25/02/2022 11:36

You shouldn’t rinse after brushing! It just washes away the fluoride

LondonQueen · 25/02/2022 11:45

The dentist will have meant an hour before breakfast. I brush mine before breakfast, have done since I had my first (and only) cavity as a teen. Eventually you don't notice the taste, it's much better for your teeth to have that fluoride protection before breakfast, as it's usually the most damaging meal to your teeth.

Original poster

Sophiebrown85 · 25/02/2022 11:45

Yeah, I tried doing that but just does not taste right to me. At the same time I do not want stinky breath for an hour after breakfast. Its kinda stuck in a bit of an odd place

OP posts:

mummymei · 25/02/2022 11:50

@Creeeper

This explains it better than me:

Original poster

Sophiebrown85 · 25/02/2022 11:55

[quote mummymei]@Creeeper

This explains it better than me: [/quote]
Thats helpful! Explains the why well. It is just something you are used to all your life and suddenly you have to change your habit over night.

OP posts:

FudgeSundae · 25/02/2022 12:10

I literally stagger out of bed and brush my teeth first thing, before shower and dressing. This means that by the time I’m up and got the kids up the minty taste has faded!

Original poster

Sophiebrown85 · 25/02/2022 12:13

@FudgeSundae

I literally stagger out of bed and brush my teeth first thing, before shower and dressing. This means that by the time I’m up and got the kids up the minty taste has faded!

Good idea. I always go for a morning jog, come back, have breakfast with DD and then shower and brush so I could try to brush before going for a jog. Issue is the entire point of doing this is for my daughter and she wont wake up in time :(

OP posts:

Abra1d1 · 25/02/2022 12:14

Our dentist told us to do this on mornings where we were rushing out to work etc. You don't want to brush acidic saliva resulting from eating and drinking around your teeth. Either wait a while or brush before you eat.

Simonjt · 25/02/2022 12:14

We always brush our teeth as soon as we get up, that way there is a minimum of around half an hour before brushing our teeth and eating breakfast.

ufucoffee · 25/02/2022 12:14

I brush before breakfast and don't notice the taste of toothpaste. Are you having a good enough spit?

Creeeper · 25/02/2022 12:19

[quote mummymei]@Creeeper

This explains it better than me: [/quote]
That’s an acid reaction, it’s nothing to do with old and new bacteria mixing!

ukborn · 25/02/2022 12:23

I brush before and there is about an hour between that and eating breakfast, but I also use a flavourless mouth wash (so not minty) which kills the toothpaste taste.

dementedpixie · 25/02/2022 12:24

I brush my teeth before breakfast too. If you have something acidic at breakfast then the enamel is softened and when you brush straight afterwards the enamel can get brushed away. If eating first you need a gap between breakfast and brushing.

I dont get bothered by toothpaste flavour either tbh

dementedpixie · 25/02/2022 12:25

@ukborn

I brush before and there is about an hour between that and eating breakfast, but I also use a flavourless mouth wash (so not minty) which kills the toothpaste taste.

You shouldnt use mouthwash after brushing as you are washing away all the fluoride you just applied to your teeth. If using mouthwash use it between brushings or use before brushing

FinallyHere · 25/02/2022 12:27

I'm not keen on aggressively minty flavoured toothpaste, much prefer a softer fennel flavour. Would a different brand work better for you ?

Flip