Myth Buster: Did You Know Brushing Teeth Right After Meals Is Harmful?

Recently, an article was published on ynet, dispelling several myths about our dental health. Generally, when we think about what causes cavities and other dental issues like gum inflammation, sweets come to mind. Chocolate bars, candies, and more. However, you should know the problem doesn't end there. In fact, the list of harmful foods is much larger and includes items you might consider healthy (and indeed, they are good for the body), but when it comes to teeth, it's more complicated.

In general, two primary components that can damage teeth are sugar and acid. In the sugar category, there are many types of sugars, but the main harmful one is sucrose, the common sugar we all know. These two substances feed the thousands of bacteria in our mouths, which are tough to remove—even after brushing.

Acid occurs naturally in many foods. Thus, when consuming acidic foods, bacteria aren't needed because the acids themselves damage teeth, causing decay and direct damage.

What neutralizes this acidity is drinking water. But here's the catch: it's important to know that brushing teeth immediately after eating acidic foods causes more harm. It's advisable to wait at least an hour after eating before brushing.

Also remember: the longer food remains on your teeth, the more damage it causes...

(Photo: shutterstock)

So, what are the most problematic foods?

1. Apple - It's very healthy for the body, but not for the teeth, as it contains acid. So, don't reduce apple intake, but make sure to rinse your mouth with water soon after eating them.

2. Bread - Especially white bread, as it contains sugar. It's also a bit sticky and can get into the crevices between teeth, causing pain and bacterial buildup.

3. Popcorn - You know those small popcorn pieces that get stuck between your teeth and are hard and painful to remove? Popcorn can indeed be problematic for dental health. It's recommended to rinse your mouth after eating it and later brush your teeth.

4. Diet Drinks - Particularly carbonated drinks, as they contain more acid, which is harmful to teeth.

5. Hard Candies - Did you really think they'd ever disappear from any dental health recommendation list? They haven't. The main issue is with hard candies, which we tend to hold in our mouths longer. You might be surprised to hear, but cough lozenges have the same effect on your teeth...

6. Pickled Vegetables - The vegetables are indeed nutritious and important for the body, but the pickling process involves lots of vinegar and sometimes sugar—the combination of sugar and acid damages teeth. Therefore, drink water with your meal and brush your teeth later.

7. Salad Dressing - Who doesn't like to upgrade their salad with garlic dressing, Thousand Island, or vinaigrette? Most dressings contain vinegar and sugar, besides being calorie-rich. So, if you find it hard to avoid, at least reduce your intake.

8. Meat - While meat itself doesn't contain sugar, sugar is often used in its processing. Moreover, the remnants left in the mouth enter the crevices between the teeth and can be hard to remove. So, although the negative impact of meat on teeth is relatively low, it's advised to rinse your mouth with water and brush your teeth later.

It's also important to note that generally, rinsing and later brushing might not remove all harmful food residues from the mouth. These may stay and create massive bacterial deposits that cause immediate significant damage to teeth. Therefore, it's advised to use dental floss, which greatly aids in oral health.

Regarding dental health, if you're looking for a "spiritual remedy" that's proven and tested for oral care, directly from the Chofetz Chaim of blessed memory, here it is: before his passing, the elderly Chofetz Chaim, known for his long life, dying at 94, called one of his students. He opened his mouth and asked him to count his teeth. The amazed student was surprised to find the elderly man didn't miss a single tooth! The Chofetz Chaim told him: guarding the tongue is a remedy for preserving oral and dental health (Guard Your Tongue, Pliskin).

If you manage to apply these two pieces of advice, the spiritual and the practical, you'll benefit on all fronts. Good luck!