It is commonly believed among many of us that proper dental care means flossing and brushing often at a minimum, twice daily, as the American Dental Association recommends. Those who are particularly diligent may brush even more than that, after meals, snacks or sugary drinks. Your tooth enamel, the hardest substance in your body, works to protect your teeth. But acids created by breakdown of food can wear away that protective enamel. After consuming a meal rich in carbohydrates or sugar, the pH level of your oral cavity drops. This means it becomes more acidic. Your body has a natural way to correct the high acid levels in your mouth and return it to the optimum pH level. It’s the job of saliva to naturally flush away food particles and give your enamel the balance it needs to continue its protective work.
Did You Know That There is Actually a Bad Time to Be Brushing Your Teeth?
According to research shows that just as brushing too hard or too often can cause tooth abrasion, it is also not recommended to brush too soon after meals and drinks, especially those that are acidic. This can do more harm than good. Acid attacks the teeth, eroding enamel and the more sensitive layer below it, called dentin. Brushing can accelerate this process, said Dr. Howard R. Gamble, president of the Academy of General Dentistry. “With brushing, you could actually push the acid deeper into the enamel and the dentin,” he said" When you eat or drink something acidic, the pH in your mouth goes down and can take some time to go back to normal." The ideal pH of a mouth is about 7, while a soda even a diet one can be as low as 2.5 or "about the same as household vinegar," says Dr. Cole. Acid demineralizes and weakens the tooth surface, making it more prone to erosion or decay resulting in a cavity.
People who suffer from Acid reflux face a similar problem. While it might seem like a good idea to brush after a reflux episode, doing so can further erode and damage your teeth.
When you scrub with a toothbrush you are actually encouraging the process. According to a study published in the journal General Dentistry in 2004, "When you want to make etched glass, you apply an acid or an abrasive and scratch it, that is what happens if you drink a sports drink or a soda, or even wine, and brush right after," says Dr. Cole. If you wait 30 minutes, however, "the saliva in your mouth will naturally bring the acid down to a more neutral pH and not rub acidic substances in."
A study was conducted to study the impact of brushing right after drinking a can of soda. A group of volunteers were followed for three weeks. Once the three weeks were up, the scientists found that there was a considerable increase in dentin loss when brushing in the 20 minutes after drinking soda. Whereas there was much less wear when brushing took place 30 or 60 minutes afterward.
“It is concluded that for protection of dentin surfaces,” the authors wrote, “at least 30 minutes should elapse before tooth brushing after an erosive attack.”
In the meantime, Dr. Gamble suggested rinsing the mouth out with water or using an acid-neutralizing mixture: one part baking soda, eight parts water can be used to get rid of the acid immediately from the mouth.
The Conclusion
After thorough research and reviewing literature it is advised not to brush immediately after an acidic meal or drink. It is recommended to always wait at least 30 minutes.
Natural Toothpaste
Before you pick out a toothpaste, it is important to know about the different types that are there. Here are the basic types that are available in the market:
- Fluoride
- Non fluoride
- Whitening
- Sensitivity
- Kids
- Anti-cavity
- Tartar control
Today, you can find just about any type of toothpaste imaginable. There are toothpastes that accomplish a single goal, and ones that do it all. You should pick a toothpaste that fulfills your oral health needs.
What if there was a tooth paste that had all the qualities of a commercial toothpaste and was also chemical free. One that uses only natural and immune boosting ingredients with zero side effects. It can be consumed safely by people of all ages from all religions and all belief systems since it is certified Halal, Kosher, Vegan, Gluten free and cruelty free!
Yes! It is SprinJene Natural Toothpaste which comes in a wide range of fluoride and fluoride free varieties. 3 Different Yummy flavors for Children as well as anti-cavity, anti-plaque and, whitening and for sensitive teeth.
After careful consideration regarding the harm that everyday toothpastes can cause our bodies, here are the benefits that SprinJene Natural Toothpaste has to offer.
- Black seed oil - Known to have excellent antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties
- Zinc- Helps control the growth of bacteria, plaque and tartar thereby promoting healthy gums. ADA Approved
- Acacia gum - A natural organic binder
- Xylitol and Stevia- non cariogenic natural sweeteners. Xylitol helps promote saliva production and prevents tooth decay. It is also ADA approved.
- Coconut oil - Helps lubricate oral surfaces to bring comfort to dry mouth sufferers and may help to prevent tooth decay after some enzyme digestion.
- Green apple and Mint extracts - Taste modifiers with cooling sensation.
- Aqua - Solvent to solubilize salts. Formulation aid.
- Silica- Natural abrasives to assist stain removal.
- Glycerin - Glycerin is a non-carcinogenic and a Non-GMO humectant that helps protect our formulas against bacteria growth and keep the product moist.
