My family's dental health is important to me. Unfortunately for me, it is not as important to my little ones. Getting my kids to brush and floss on a daily basis is almost like taking on an obstacle course. I talked to my family's dentist about different methods I could try to encourage them to brush and floss on a regular basis. Some of the tricks worked, some did not. After some experimentation and talking to other parents, I was able to come up with a lot of great tips for helping kids care for their teeth. I started this blog to help other parents get creative when it comes to their kids and dental care.
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A Guide to Creatively Handling a Child's Dental Health
Why You Should Wait After Eating Before Brushing Your Teeth
Bella Snyder
If you are very conscientious about your breath and your oral health, you might instantly rush to the bathroom after eating a meal or snack to brush your teeth. While this may seem like the best thing you can do for the health of your teeth, brushing your teeth right away after eating is not necessarily the best thing you can do. In fact, it is better to wait for a while after eating or drinking before you go and brush your teeth.
The negative effects of brushing right away
Things that are acidic are the worst types of foods and beverages for your teeth, and brushing your teeth right after consuming these types of foods and drinks will do the most harm to them. When you consume acidic drinks or foods, the acids from these things will linger in your mouth for a while after you are done eating or drinking. The acids will eventually wash away, but while they are there, they actually soften the enamel on your teeth. If you brush your teeth during the period in which your enamel is softer than usual, you take the risk of brushing the enamel off your teeth. This is why brushing right after eating is not a good idea.
The better thing to do
Instead of brushing your teeth right away, there are some things you can and should do right away. The best thing to do is simply rinse your mouth out with water. You can do this by taking a drink of water after eating or by going to the bathroom and swishing water in your mouth and then spitting. When rinsing with water, you are helping to remove the acids that are left in your mouth after eating the foods and beverages you just consumed. This will help wash the acids away, and it may reduce the risks you have for developing cavities.
Additionally, you should probably wait for around 30 minutes from the time you are done eating to go to the bathroom to brush your teeth. Waiting this long will help you prevent damaging your teeth right after eating, and this could help you have healthier teeth. If you have any questions about this or other oral tips, talk to a local dentist today or schedule an appointment at a convenient time to talk about the health of your teeth.
For more information on dental care, visit a dentist in your area like those at the Professional Dental Center.
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