A dentist has revealed a common tooth brushing mistake that many people, including herself, have been making for years. Patty Cabo, a dental professional, shared an eye-opening video on TikTok explaining how a simple adjustment to your morning routine can protect your teeth and promote better oral health.
Patty explains that the key to healthier teeth lies in understanding what happens to your mouth overnight. While you sleep, your mouth becomes more acidic, creating an environment that allows harmful bacteria to multiply—this is also the root cause of morning breath.
When asked whether you brush your teeth before or after breakfast, Patty points out that many people, including herself, might be doing it wrong. She says, “I always brushed my teeth after breakfast, but all I was doing was spreading bacteria that had built up overnight, combined with bacteria from breakfast.” Meanwhile, brushing before breakfast isn’t ideal either.
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Because your mouth is highly acidic first thing in the morning, brushing immediately after waking can actually damage your tooth enamel. So how should you approach brushing in the morning?
Patty’s expert advice is to start your day by drinking a glass of water as soon as you wake up. This helps neutralize the acidity in your mouth. Then, wait about 10 minutes before brushing your teeth to safely remove the bacteria that accumulated overnight without harming your enamel.
After brushing, you can enjoy your breakfast—whether it’s yogurt, fruit, toast, cereal, or any other favorite meal. Patty emphasizes the importance of eating breakfast and recommends not skipping it, as it’s the most important meal of the day.
Finally, she advises brushing your teeth one more time after breakfast to ensure your mouth stays clean and fresh throughout the day.
By making these simple changes to your morning routine, you can protect your tooth enamel, reduce harmful bacterial growth, and improve your overall oral health. With this knowledge, you’ll be brushing your teeth the right way from now on!