"Every morning, when we wake up from a dream and face a new day, breakfast is always our first thought. But before enjoying this first meal of the morning, there is one healthy habit that many people adhere to – and that is brushing their teeth. However, some recent medical studies and expert opinions seem to have turned our conventional wisdom upside down. They came up with a surprising suggestion: not brushing your teeth before breakfast might be more beneficial for your health. What is the scientific rationale behind this seemingly counterintuitive view, and why do doctors support it?
Demystifying the Oral Cavity: The First Gateway to Protecting Your Health
The mouth is not only the entrance to food, but also an important line of defense for our health. It is made up of a variety of structures, including teeth, gums, tongue, and salivary glands, among others. These structures work together to perform vital physiological functions.
Teeth & Gums: Strong defensive barriers
Teeth are not only the main tools for chewing food, but they are also an important indicator of oral health. Healthy teeth effectively cut and grind food to prepare it for the digestive process. The gums are the supporting structure of the teeth, and healthy gums are effective in preventing bacterial invasion and periodontal disease.
Tongue: The dual role of feeling and cleansing
The tongue not only has taste receptors, but also plays an important role in oral hygiene. It helps to remove food debris and reduces the chance of bacterial growth.
Salivary glands: the natural protectors of the oral cavity
The saliva secreted by the salivary glands contains a variety of enzymes and antibacterial components, which not only help in the initial digestion of food, but also maintain the moistness of the mouth, reducing the damage of bacteria and food debris to teeth and gums.
By understanding these basic oral physiology and their functions, we can better understand why the recommendation to wake up in the morning and eat breakfast without brushing your teeth may have a scientific basis. The health of our teeth and gums, the cleaning function of our tongue, and the protective effect of saliva all play a key role in our daily oral health care.
Why might it be healthier to wake up in the morning and eat breakfast straight away?
When we wake up in the morning, the environment in our mouth has undergone a change overnight. At this point in time, eating breakfast without brushing your teeth may actually be better for your oral health. Here's the scientific explanation:
Nocturnal activity of saliva
At night, saliva production decreases, but it is still doing its vital self-cleaning work. The enzymes and antimicrobial components in saliva can help reduce the buildup of bacteria. When you wake up in the morning, these beneficial ingredients are still active in your mouth, and eating breakfast straight can take advantage of these natural antimicrobial substances to reduce bacterial damage to your teeth and gums.
Protects the natural barrier of teeth
If you don't brush your teeth overnight, a thin biofilm forms on the surface of your teeth, which contains bacteria but also provides a temporary protective layer for your teeth. This biofilm can reduce the direct wear and tear of food on the teeth to a certain extent when eating breakfast.
Adjust the oral environment after breakfast
After eating breakfast, the pH level in the mouth changes, and this is the best time to clean your teeth. Brushing is effective in removing food debris, while the flow of saliva increases, helping to neutralize the pH of the mouth more quickly and protect your teeth from erosion.
With these scientific explanations, we can understand why some doctors recommend eating breakfast before brushing your teeth in the morning. This practice makes full use of the natural physiological mechanisms of the oral cavity to help maintain oral health and reduce damage to teeth and gums.
Morning Oral Care: The Kick-Start for a Healthy Routine
After embracing the new concept of waking up in the morning and eating breakfast without brushing your teeth, proper oral health care is still the key to maintaining daily health. Here are some practical morning oral health tips:
Brushing your teeth after breakfast: the best time to clean
Brushing your teeth immediately after breakfast is effective in removing food debris and maintaining oral hygiene. It is recommended to use fluoride toothpaste, which can help strengthen teeth and prevent tooth decay. In addition, using a toothbrush with soft bristles can reduce irritation to the gums.
Flossing: The Secret Weapon for Deep Cleaning
While brushing can clean the surface of your teeth, there is still a need for special attention to the debris between your teeth. Daily flossing can effectively clear these hard-to-reach areas and prevent periodontal disease.
Oral mouthwash: extra care
Rinsing your mouth with an oral mouthwash that contains antibacterial ingredients can further reduce bacteria in your mouth and keep your breath fresh. Especially for those who are prone to oral problems, this is a very effective complementary health step.
Drinking water promotes saliva production
Maintaining adequate hydration is not only essential for good health, but it also helps promote saliva production. Saliva is a natural oral cleanser that can help neutralize acids and reduce bacterial growth.