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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wait for 30 mins after eating to brush my teeth?

14 replies

DrMeredithGrey2023 · 27/04/2023 21:58

Sorry - posting here for traffic.

How many of you wait a full 30 mins after eating/drinking to brush your teeth?

I have only recently started doing this in the last 4 months, in an effort to take better care of my teeth. To be honest, it drives me insane. I enjoy a bedtime cuppa. I then have to wait 30 mins before I can brush my teeth, and then a further 30 mins before I mouthwash. It's insane! I find myself constantly time checking, because I don't want to not have time for a tea, but then don't want to sit up twiddling my thumbs until it's ok to do my teeth stuff.

Am I just being a twat? Or is this a necessary step on good teeth care?

OP posts:
phoebebrigade · 27/04/2023 21:59

Why would that be unreasonable

PiffleIsTakingThePiss · 27/04/2023 22:01

This is what keeps you up at night? Wow.

Original poster
DrMeredithGrey2023 · 27/04/2023 22:01

phoebebrigade · 27/04/2023 21:59

Why would that be unreasonable

It's not, as I said, I'm posting here for traffic.

I've seen a few posts do the same.

OP posts:
Bs0u416d · 27/04/2023 22:01

TBA I am a dentist and I wouldnt think twice about brushing after a bed time cup of tea. The reason for not brushing after eating/drinking is that the PH of the mouth drops after you have consumed sugars and this can increase the risk of erosion/tooth wear in the long term. I personally wouldnt be too worried about your evening cup of tea but if you can brush before breakfast in the morning then all the better!

trickyfriendsone · 27/04/2023 22:01

I thought the wait was recommended not sure why but I'm sure I read/heard it's best to wait something to do with helping the enamel.

I don't wait for mouthwash though. I do it one after the other.

Username24680 · 27/04/2023 22:02

I do 🙈😂 but I don’t tend to eat after dinner (usually eat about 6.30 at the latest) so I’m well over my 30 mins by the time I’m brushing my teeth. And I only usually drink water anyway 😅 I don’t like hot drinks so no tea/coffee for me.

DH couldn’t live without his bedtime cups of tea though. If he thinks there’s a spare 5 mins before we head to bed he’ll squeeze in another cup 😂 so he probably leaves about 3 minutes rather than 30 lol

Original poster
DrMeredithGrey2023 · 27/04/2023 22:02

PiffleIsTakingThePiss · 27/04/2023 22:01

This is what keeps you up at night? Wow.

No, normally I'm kept up all night because my brain refuses not to replay traumatic events.

This is just what prevents me from even trying to sleep.

OP posts:
Original poster
DrMeredithGrey2023 · 27/04/2023 22:04

Bs0u416d · 27/04/2023 22:01

TBA I am a dentist and I wouldnt think twice about brushing after a bed time cup of tea. The reason for not brushing after eating/drinking is that the PH of the mouth drops after you have consumed sugars and this can increase the risk of erosion/tooth wear in the long term. I personally wouldnt be too worried about your evening cup of tea but if you can brush before breakfast in the morning then all the better!

Thank you, that's good to know.

OP posts:
megletthesecond · 27/04/2023 22:07

Yanbu.
It would be ok as a one off but I wouldn't want to do it regularly. I'm pretty picky about dental hygiene, I used to floss and brush my teeth, drunk, after a night out in my youth.

I tidy up and herd my teens in the mornings in between breakfast and doing my teeth.

CarrotCake01 · 27/04/2023 22:09

I wait the 30 minutes after eating and do with my DD's teeth too

SliceOfCakeCupOfTea · 27/04/2023 22:13

I never knew this...I've never waited to brush before bed.

XenoBitch · 27/04/2023 22:13

This sort of stuff confuses me.
I floss with the harps dipped in mouthwash, brush my teeth, use a mouth wash (what should be done first? mouth wash or brushing?), then I use interdental brushes dipped in a gingival gel. I read I should be leaving 30 minutes between all those stage... or do them in a different order.

Kyse · 27/04/2023 22:27

XenoBitch · 27/04/2023 22:13

This sort of stuff confuses me.
I floss with the harps dipped in mouthwash, brush my teeth, use a mouth wash (what should be done first? mouth wash or brushing?), then I use interdental brushes dipped in a gingival gel. I read I should be leaving 30 minutes between all those stage... or do them in a different order.

I heard mouthwash separate to brushing as it washes away the toothpaste but I don't know if that matters if it's a fluoride mouthwash? Confused

I usually do
Am - (I don't eat breakfast) brush, tongue brush with tung gel/brush
Mouthwash midday if I need it
Pm - brush before bed

At some point in the day I usually remember to floss and do interdental brushes with gel Blush but not every day. Figure as long as I do it at some point it helps

wwyd2021medicine · 27/04/2023 23:53

As the dentist said, it's no problem brushing your teeth after a cup of tea - I'm presuming no sugar. The little bit of milk acts as an acid buffer. I wouldn't brush them any time near an acidic drink like coke, fruit tea or fruit juice.

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