What can you eat before and after brushing your teeth? 

Brushing your teeth twice a day is important, it's no secret. But does timing matter here? Or rather, should you brush your teeth before or after eating? You may have asked yourself these questions before. In fact, certain food "attacks" our teeth and weakens tooth enamel as a "protective layer" for a while. When brushing your teeth, the top layer of the enamel is then brushed away, so to speak. In order to maintain the optimal health of our teeth, not only regular brushing is important, but also whether we brush our teeth before or after eating. In this article, we explain whether brushing your teeth before or after eating makes sense and what you can eat before or after brushing your teeth to protect your enamel and teeth.

Should you brush your teeth before or after eating? 

In general, brush your teeth after eating, especially if you have consumed high-sugar foods and drinks. However, brushing your teeth right after eating isn't a good idea, especially if you've eaten acidic foods like oranges, citrus fruits, fruit juices, or sodas. Acids dissolve minerals from the tooth enamel and attack the hard tooth substance. When brushing the teeth immediately after eating, the weakened tooth enamel is then scrubbed away. In the long run, you risk damage to the hard tooth substance such as tooth erosion, which can lead to pain sensitive tooth. Once the enamel is gone, it is lost forever.

Dentists therefore recommend waiting at least half an hour before brushing your teeth after eating. This gives your saliva enough time to re-form and neutralize the acids. It is also advisable to rinse your mouth briefly with water immediately after eating acidic foods – this helps to stop the acid exposure.

Our tip: Not only acids, but also too much pressure when brushing your teeth can attack your tooth enamel. Therefore, use a toothbrush that is gentle to your teeth and gums, such as the Philips Sonicare Protective clean 4300. Together with the Philips Brush Head,  it is a very good solution for pain-sensitive teeth and sore gums.