In a helpful TikTok post, Dr. Margaret Feldborg, a dentist based in Oslo, Norway, shared some surprising advice about when to skip brushing your teeth to maintain optimal dental health. According to the Daily Mail, she highlighted that you should avoid brushing immediately after meals and after vomiting.
Dr. Feldborg explained that right after eating, your mouth becomes highly acidic due to food particles and saliva. Brushing your teeth during this time can push that acid deeper into your enamel, leading to demineralization and acid erosion. This not only weakens the enamel but can also result in pain or sensitivity.
Enamel, the hard, translucent substance that covers the tooth’s surface above the gum line, protects against chewing pressure, cavities, and temperature changes caused by acids. Once enamel erodes, it can’t regenerate, making its protection vital.
According to the Oral Health Foundation, acid erosion happens when acids from food and drink wear down this protective coating. Columbia University’s Irving Medical Center advises waiting about 30 minutes after eating before brushing to give your mouth time to return to a neutral pH.
Dr. Feldborg emphasized that brushing immediately after vomiting is particularly harmful. The stomach acid in your mouth can cause even more damage if you brush right away.
In the comments section of her video, viewers shared tips on how to protect their enamel. One user suggested rinsing with water and waiting a bit before brushing after vomiting, while another mentioned using baking soda to neutralize the acid. A third user added that rinsing with baking soda before and after brushing can help reduce acidity and increase mineral absorption.
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