A dentist has gained viral attention on TikTok for advising when to skip brushing your teeth temporarily. Dr. Shaadi Manouchehri explained that you should not brush your teeth right after vomiting, eating breakfast, or consuming sweets due to the acidity in the mouth. Brushing immediately after these activities can damage teeth by exposing them to acid. The acidity in the mouth naturally neutralizes over time, typically within 30 to 60 minutes. To speed up this process, drinking water, chewing sugar-free gum, and using alcohol-free mouthwash were recommended.
Dr. Manouchehri emphasized the importance of waiting at least 30 to 60 minutes before brushing your teeth again after vomiting or consuming acidic foods to give the mouth time to neutralize high pH levels. While these situations are not the only times to avoid brushing immediately, they are common moments when people feel the urge to brush their teeth. Dr. Manouchehri also shared her personal routine for ensuring she waits an adequate amount of time after eating breakfast before brushing her teeth to allow for pH levels to neutralize. She advised against brushing after consuming sweets, as sugar can be metabolized by bacteria in the mouth to create acid.
Additional tips to combat acid residue and speed up the neutralizing process included using alcohol-free mouthwash to rinse the mouth and chewing sugar-free gum, which aids in saliva production. Dr. Lucynda Raben, DDS, supported Dr. Manouchehri’s advice and recommended delaying brushing after eating, drinking, or vomiting until the mouth’s pH levels return to a neutral state. Research has shown that brushing teeth immediately after exposure to acid can lead to tooth damage over time. The Mayo Clinic also warns against brushing immediately after consuming acidic foods or drinks as this can soften enamel, recommending waiting an hour to allow saliva to wash away the acid before brushing.
While some people may be accustomed to brushing their teeth immediately after certain activities, delaying brushing to allow pH levels to neutralize is becoming a more widely accepted practice in dental care. Dr. Raben highlighted the long-term consequences of brushing in an acid environment, noting that the combination of brushing and acid can erode tooth enamel over time. She stressed the importance of adopting new habits to protect tooth structure and prevent damage caused by brushing in high acidity environments. Ultimately, following these guidelines can help maintain oral health and prevent long-term harm to teeth caused by acidic exposure.
