Why brushing teeth is recommended after breakfast
Brushing the teeth after breakfast is only recommended if it was done after dinner the previous night, dentists have said.
The oral health experts, in separate exclusive interviews with PUNCH Healthwise, further clarified that this applied to individuals who regularly brushed their teeth twice daily.
They asserted that since the teeth were brushed as the last activity before bedtime the previous night, brushing after breakfast would ensure the mouth was clean during the day.
Brushing one’s teeth is an important aspect of oral hygiene.
While there is inadequate data on the oral hygiene of Nigerians, the World Health Organisation stated that the prevalence of oral diseases, such as dental caries, was 23.9 per cent in 2019.
Also, the prevalence of periodontal diseases in people above 15 years was 25.1 per cent.
WHO listed sugar consumption, tobacco use and alcohol consumption as the risk factors for oral diseases.
It also stated that the high prices of fluoride-containing toothpaste contributed to the increase in oral diseases.
A study by Nkolika Uguru et al on the oral-health-seeking behaviour of selected persons in Enugu State revealed that the recommendations of community members, the severity of the diseases and the cost of treatment influenced when oral healthcare was sought.
It further showed that most Nigerians engaged in home treatment, and patronised traditional healers and patient medicine dealers rather than visiting the dentist.
Dentists have for a long time recommended brushing one’s teeth twice daily.
However, there have been several discussions on whether to brush one’s teeth after breakfast or not.
Speaking with PUNCH Healthwise, the immediate past President of the Nigerian Dental Association, Dr Kolawole Obagbemiro, stated that there were two schools of thought as to when to brush the teeth in the morning.
Dr Kolawole Obagbemiro
However, he mentioned that individuals who had brushed before bedtime the previous night should brush after breakfast.
Obagbemiro said, “Ideally, one should brush in the morning and evening before going to bed. So, if one has brushed at night before going to bed, then one can have breakfast before brushing, which would serve the person for the day before brushing at night again.
“Whichever one sees it, if someone did not brush before going to bed at night, then such person brushes before eating.”
The dentist further stated that the recommended practice was to brush the teeth twice daily with a medium-textured toothbrush and fluoride-containing toothpaste.
He added that Nigerians should watch out for toothpaste with the logo of the Nigerian Dental Association.
“The brushing technique is that you brush away from the gum, the upper teeth are brushed downwards and the lower teeth, upwards away from the gum.
“This technique is important and much better than the horizontal technique which damages the health of the gum. The texture of the toothbrush bristles should be medium textured. We do not encourage anyone to make use of the hard toothbrush because it damages the gum such that over that, there would be a lesion on the teeth,” the dentist said.
He also recommended a twice-in-a-year visit to the dentist for routine dental check-ups and cleaning which would help in the early detection of any crevices in the teeth.
Obagbemiro also stated that cleaning the teeth during the check-ups helped remove plaque and dental caries, further protecting the gums from dental diseases.
“We encourage people to take more fruits instead of snacks that can easily cause holes in the teeth because most of the crevices on the teeth are caused by refined carbohydrates that are obtained from snacks and sugars.
“Naturally, bacteria are in our mouths and by the time the bacteria work on the sugars, they cause holes in the teeth. That is why we encourage the consumption of fruits instead of chocolates or snacks.
“People should avoid smoking because it has adverse effects on the mouth and the health of the gums, aside from the fact that it can also cause cancer. Alcohol consumption also affects the mouth and we advise people to use alcohol-free mouthwash and floss regularly instead of using a toothpick to remove stuck food items.
“Toothbrushes should be changed every two to three months; otherwise the longer it is being used the more damage it does to the gums. This is because as it is being used, it hardens and can be placed to the side, it affects the gum. People should not wait until they are in pain before they visit their dentist,” he added.
Dr Olufemi Olagundoye
Also, a Consultant Periodontist and Subdean of the Faculty of Dentistry at the Lagos State University College of Medicine, Ikeja, Dr Olufemi Olagundoye, stated that if the teeth were brushed after dinner. Before bedtime the previous night, it should be brushed after breakfast before the next day.
He noted that whenever the teeth were not brushed before bedtime, they should be brushed before breakfast.
Olagundoye asserted, “If you brush before bedtime there is nothing to brush out in the morning before breakfast except dried saliva which one can just rinse out. So it is advisable to brush after breakfast when there would have been food deposits in the mouth.”
The dentist further reiterated that the teeth should be brushed twice daily.
For healthy oral hygiene, the doctor recommended, “Brush twice daily, after breakfast in the morning and last thing at night. Use a medium/soft brush and brush gently not aggressively. Take time to brush your teeth and brush using fluoride toothpaste with your toothbrush.
“Reduce your sugar intake and rinse (your mouth) immediately after you take sugary foods. See the dentist at least once every six months and immediately you notice any change in your mouth. Also, go for your general health check-up regularly as your general health can affect your oral health. Stop smoking if you do.”
