Brushing your teeth after drinking your coffee carries the risk of damaging the enamel of the teeth because of the acidic environment of the mouth which increases the abrasive nature of brushing.
- If your teeth are clean, the coffee won’t find anything to cling to.
- Dentists recommend waiting half an hour before brushing your teeth after morning coffee.
The scientific literature abounds with research on coffee that investigates both its benefits and its dangers. The latest studies show that to avoid the cardiovascular risks caused by its consumption, it is necessary to limit yourself to six cups a day. If this limit is respected, drinking coffee can bring many benefits to the body such as limiting the risk of hearing loss, improving concentration after a bad night, reducing the risk of prostate cancer or even reducing the risk of death for people with type 2 diabetes.
A morning routine that starts with brushing your teeth
But coffee also has a property that can make it an enemy of oral health or in any case of beautiful teeth: to properly protect your teeth against the acidity of coffee, dentists believe that it is preferable to brush their teeth before consuming it. “If your teeth are clean, the coffee won’t find anything to cling to.”, advances Christina Meiners, a dentist at a dispensary in San Antonio, Huffington Post. Clean teeth remove plaque buildup and make it harder for stains to stick. In addition, brushing your teeth after coffee aggravates the situation because the acidity of coffee weakens the enamel which protects against physical and chemical attacks.
In the morning, the routine should therefore start with brushing your teeth. “Do not brush your teeth in an acidic environment, it is chemically abrasive”, abounds Sonya Krasilnikov, who practices in a New York dental office. “If it happens once, it will just be a micro abrasion, nothing serious. On the other hand, if it is usual, you will wear out your enamel”, continues Siama Muhammad, of the dental practice in Brooklyn Oak.
Wait at least 30 minutes
For those who do not want to punctuate their morning routine with the taste of coffee, dentists recommend waiting half an hour before brushing their teeth. “Saliva neutralizes the pH of the mouthsays Sonya Krasilnikov. In half an hour, it returns to its healthy state. You can then brush your teeth safely. Half an hour is usually enough.” They also offer, as an alternative, chewing sugar-free gum. “I recommend at least chewing it to stimulate your natural protection: your saliva. It will act as a buffer in this acidic environment”, emphasizes Christina Meiners.
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