While brushing your teeth every day is the hallmark of good oral hygiene, did you know there are some exceptions?
According to Dr. Margaret Feldborg, an American dentist currently residing in Oslo, Norway, there are actually two times when you should never brush your teeth.
Dr. Feldborg, owner of a dental practice American SmileShe recently took to TikTok to share this crucial information.
She shockingly revealed that one should avoid brushing teeth after eating and after vomiting.
“After eating, our mouth goes into a very acidic state,” he explained about the first occasion.
According to Dr. Margaret Feldborg, an American dentist based in Oslo, Norway, there are actually two times when you should never brush your teeth:
“When we brush immediately after eating, we’re brushing all that acid directly onto our teeth, which will lead to demineralization and acid erosion,” Dr. Feldborg shared.
Acid erosion occurs when acid from the foods you eat or drink eats away at your tooth enamel, which is the protective layer on top of your teeth, according to Oral Health Foundation.
If tooth enamel wears away, it can cause tooth pain or sensitivity.
According Columbia University Irving Medical CenterYou should wait about 30 minutes after eating to brush your teeth.
Dr. Feldborg then explained the reasons why we should never use a toothbrush after vomiting.
“I know the first thing you want to do after throwing up is get that taste out of your mouth and run to grab a toothbrush, but that’s the last thing you want to do,” she admitted.
“You can’t brush your teeth right after you throw up, your mouth is very acidic from all the stomach acid that just came out,” the dentist continued.
“It’s very damaging to go and rub it on our teeth for the same reason we don’t want to brush after eating.”
Acid erosion occurs when acid from the foods you eat or drink eats away at your tooth enamel, which is the protective layer on top of your teeth, according to the Oral Health Foundation.
In the comments section of Dr. Feldborg’s video, others even offered their own dental tips for avoiding enamel problems.
And it is true, according to Dental TridentYou should wait at least 30 minutes after vomiting before brushing your teeth.
In the comments section of Dr. Feldborg’s video, others even offered their own dental tips for avoiding enamel problems.
“After vomiting I always rinse my mouth with water and wait a bit before brushing my teeth,” one person wrote, agreeing with Dr. Feldborg.
“You can brush with baking soda to neutralize the acid,” another person suggested.
One user commented: ‘I rinse with baking soda before and after brushing to reduce acid and increase mineral absorption.’