Timing: The Dental Connection!

It's all about "Timing" the saying goes, but when it comes to brushing your teeth, it has now been determined by research that there are times when it is better to rinse and wait, than to brush! That colleague who always brushes his teeth immediately after lunch may be doing more harm than good. A recent study suggests that scrubbing immediately after eating may have the opposite effect upon enamel.

Cavity Culprits

Sugary foods, especially those that are sticky or liquid, are bad for your teeth because the bacteria or plaque on the enamel metabolizes sugars, producing acids that can lead to gum disease, inflammation and cavities.  Conventional wisdom taught that immediately removing those food particles would reduce the incidence of decay.  However, research has now concluded that cavity producing foods are also very acidic in and of themselves.

Too Much Acid

When consuming something acidic, the pH in the mouth lowers for an extended periodic of time, causing the oral environment to become very acidic as well.  The ideal pH of a mouth is about 7, while a soft drink -even a diet one- can be as low as 2.5 or about the same as household vinegar! Acid demineralizes and weakens tooth structure, making it more more prone to decay.

The scrubbing action of a toothbrush in an acidic state can actually encourage the process, much like the same process that is used to etch glass with acid.  Immediately brushing after drinking a sports drink, soft drinks or wine can etch the enamel.  However, waiting for about 30 minutes before brushing, will allow the saliva to naturally return to a more neutral pH and decrease the possibility of rubbing acid into the tooth structure.

Rinse, Repeat

Rinsing with water has actually been shown to balance the mouth's pH after ingesting acidic foods and beverages.  It's much better than brushing within the first 30 minutes.  An antibacterial mouthwash can also help prevent plaque from producing more acids.

Cheese Whiz

Studies have shown that chewing two specific things can reduce tooth decay.  First, chewing string cheese will reduce the pH of bacterial plaque by elevating the production of saliva.  The proteins in the saliva buffer the acids.  Second, chewing sugarless gum, which also increases the production of saliva, can be a good option if a toothbrush is unavailable.  Studies have also suggested that xylitol, which is the sweetening agent in gum, actually has anticariogenic characteristics.

Finally, it is best to brush for two minutes twice daily.  However, if you are unable to brush twice a day and you must choose the most important "time" to brush, the bedtime is the best, since that is when your mouth salivates less, allowing cavity-causing substances to take hold.  If you have any other questions or are in need of a dental appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,
DRT