Brushing Soon After Eating Could be Acceptable

Brushing one’s teeth right after a meal may not cause any problems, according to the Japan Society of Pediatric Dentistry. In recent years, most people in the dental profession recommended waiting 30 to 60 minutes after eating to brush. This way, the acidic nature of many foods can subside before spreading the acidity around and harming one’s enamel and dentin. Previous studies have analyzed the impact on dentin when brushing after eating. But the Japan Society of Pediatric Dentistry claims the enamel is strong enough to prohibit much of this damage, so these studies were not an accurate portrayal of what happens when a person eats and then brushes his or her teeth right after. The Japan Society of Pediatric Dentistry also contends that if there is a buildup of plaque from food particles in the mouth, this is a much bigger problem than brushing right after eating. Plaque possesses decaying carbohydrates, which contain bacteria that produce acid. Therefore, the Japan Society of Pediatric Dentistry states that by brushing right after eating, any buildup of food particles will be prevented. More research is necessary to get a definitive answer about what is more harmful to oral health—brushing right after eating or waiting at least 30 minutes to do so.