Before or after breakfast: the right time to brush your teeth in the morning has been named

Should you brush your teeth before or after breakfast? Scientists have finally settled the debate. Most of us brush our teeth twice a day without fail. But when it comes to brushing your teeth in the morning, should you do it before or after breakfast? People who brush their teeth before breakfast usually claim that it helps them start their day feeling clean and fresh. But those who prefer to brush their teeth after breakfast argue that there is no point in brushing your teeth first thing in the morning only to ruin your mouth with a sandwich or an omelet. So what does science say?

According to experts from a well-known toothpaste manufacturer, the answer is simple - it is better to brush your teeth before breakfast. "You wouldn't want to drink your morning orange juice with the taste of mint toothpaste in your mouth," the company explained. However, it may be better for your teeth, notes the Daily Mail.

From a young age, we are taught that brushing our teeth twice a day is vital to avoid gum disease, cavities, and cracked teeth. Most people brush their teeth a second time just before bed.

Experts recommend brushing your teeth first thing in the morning, before you eat breakfast. "When you wake up, you may notice 'morning breath,' which is a buildup of bacteria that has grown in your mouth overnight," the toothpaste company explained. "Brushing before you eat will remove these bacteria and trigger saliva production, while the fluoride in your toothpaste will create a protective barrier on the surface of your teeth."

Waiting to brush your teeth until after you've eaten may actually do more harm than good, experts warn. "By brushing your teeth immediately after eating, you may think you're getting rid of bacteria before they attack your tooth enamel," the report says.

However, this can cause further damage to your teeth. If you have eaten anything acidic, you should not brush your teeth for at least an hour, the Daily Mail continues. Foods containing citric acid, such as oranges, grapefruit and lemons, can weaken tooth enamel. Brushing your teeth too soon after eating can further damage already weakened enamel."

As for the procedure itself, it is recommended to use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste and brush your teeth for two minutes using short, circular motions before spitting out the remaining toothpaste. It is also recommended to use a tongue scraper, dental floss, or interdental brushes to clean between teeth, and to rinse your mouth with an alcohol-free mouthwash.

"To sum it up, brushing your teeth after waking up is better than after breakfast because it protects your tooth enamel better," the experts conclude. "If you need to brush your teeth after breakfast, wait 30-60 minutes after eating. Regardless of whether you brush your teeth before or after breakfast, both options are better than not brushing your teeth at all!"

The advice comes shortly after a scientist settled the debate over whether to shower in the morning or evening, the Daily Mail recalls. According to Primrose Freestone, a senior lecturer in clinical microbiology at the University of Leicester, the answer is clear. And that's bad news for those who like to shower in the evening. "As a microbiologist, I'm all for daytime showers," Dr Freestone explains in an article for The Conversation.