Dentist recommends brushing teeth before breakfast

People should brush their teeth before breakfast, dentist Anni Rønman tells Danish broadcaster DR. Rønman is deputy chair of the Danish Dental Association and runs a dental clinic.

She says brushing before breakfast removes bacterial deposits that build up on the teeth overnight. Clean teeth are then more resistant when people eat foods such as porridge, yoghurt or bread rolls.

Brushing before drinking juice is particularly advisable, Rønman says, because juice exposes the teeth to acid. Brushing immediately afterwards can affect enamel that has been softened by the acid. Coffee, however, can be consumed before brushing because it does not cause the same acid exposure.

There is no research showing how significant the long-term difference is between brushing before or after breakfast. Rønman believes it is unlikely to make a major difference as long as people brush their teeth thoroughly twice a day.

She also advises people not to rinse their mouths with water after brushing. Spitting out the foam allows some fluoride from the toothpaste to remain on the teeth and provide its full benefit.