Dentist Derek Chung, the founder of Pastel Dental in Canada, advises waiting 15-20 minutes after breakfast, consuming kimchi, or drinking white wine before brushing your teeth to avoid damaging enamel.
1. After Breakfast
Dr. Chung stated that the question he receives daily is, “Should I brush my teeth before or after breakfast?” He mentioned that this has been a widely debated topic for years, but according to him, “You can brush before, but you should not brush immediately after breakfast. Enamel can become thinner, the mouth has a higher acidity level, and you will literally brush away your enamel.”
According to the dentist, you should wait 15 to 20 minutes after breakfast before cleaning your teeth and removing any food debris or odors. During that time, you can drink some water or use mouthwash.
2. After Drinking White Wine
Dr. Chung warns that the acidity of beverages can harm tooth enamel when brushed vigorously. “People don’t believe this, but white wine can damage teeth just like red wine. So, if you drink a glass of white wine, don’t brush your teeth immediately afterward because it is acidic. After consuming white wine, enamel is softer, and brushing at this moment will lead to enamel loss,” the dentist explained.
3. After Eating Kimchi
According to Dr. Chung, fermented foods can also make teeth more susceptible to damage. Admitting that kimchi is his favorite dish, Chung advises not to brush your teeth immediately after eating it.
“Kimchi is very acidic, essentially it is like Asian pickles. If you eat a lot of kimchi, your enamel will soften. Don’t brush your teeth immediately afterward; otherwise, you’ll brush away your enamel,” the doctor said.
In addition to pointing out these three specific foods, Derek Chung also emphasizes that whenever you consume something acidic, you should wait a while before brushing your teeth.
