To Brush Or Not To Brush That Is The Question

“The Tooth And Nothing But The Tooth”

By Chris “Dr Smile Maker” Branfield

To Brush Or Not To Brush That Is The Question

Hello again, I hope that you are well. The year is pressing on fast. It seems faster every year. Not long to the end of the football season now. Hull City have been a bit hit and miss lately, in fact a bit more miss. As it stands as I write it looks like it might be the play offs. Fingers crossed eh.

To Brush Or Not To Brush

Well that isn’t the question. There is no debate or referendum. We definitely have to brush our teeth. The question is more when should we brush our teeth? I couldn’t think of a catchy title to go with that question. As this week (as I write) is William Shakespeare’s 400th birthday celebration week I thought it sort of apt. 

When Should You Brush Then?

Well, definitely last thing before bed. This gets rid of the daily growth of bacteria and provides a protective fluoride application as long as you have a fluoride toothpaste. It’s even better if you floss or use those little brushes for in between you teeth first. Your saliva glands shut down over night and that’s why you have e dry mouth in the night. Saliva has a protective effect on the teeth so when it is not there the bacteria can play havoc and cause decay. This makes the night time brush so important.

Before Or After Breakfast

I got asked this question when I was on radio Humberside last. Well, I get up, shower and brush my teeth before breakfast. People are sometimes surprised at this. There is some method in the madness. What I want is clean teeth with a fluoride hit from the toothpaste. The fluoride helps protect the teeth from acid made by bacteria and acid from food and drinks.

I actually have a cup of filtered, boiled water with a squeeze of fresh lemon in. The lemon is acid. If I was to brush after the lemon then I would be brushing away the surface of the teeth softened by the lemon juice. This cause tooth surface loss and wear and can also cause sensitivity. I know a good toothpaste for sensitivity.

By brushing first there is fluoride about. The lemon will still dissolve and soften the surface of the teeth but the will harden up again more quickly with fluoride knocking about. Also the fluoride will become incorporated in the tooth surface making it stronger to acid attack and decay.

My old oral biology Professor, Prof Weatherall told us about his academic mate who did this. So you see, method in the madness from a high academic level! 

Acid On The Outside Alkaline On The Inside

Lemons are highly acidic but once inside the body they have an alkalising effect. Having an acid pH in the body is believed to cause inflammation and free radicals that cause cancer. Reducing acid forming food and having alkalising food seems to be the way to go. Green foods are good on the whole.

Come on Hull City. Reading away tonight. I’m off to listen on the radio.

Until next time. Take care and be good.


Chris




Chris Branfield is Principal Dentist at Castle Park Dental Care, Castle Villa, 28 Castle Road, Cottingham, telephone 01482 772550. He has been in dental practice for 23 years and has a special interest in life changing, pain free dentistry with dental implants, rapid teeth straightening and cosmetic dentistry. And, not only that Chris is founder member and trustee of Dental Mavericks charity- ending the daily dental pain of Moroccan kids. For more patient success stories and Chris’s charity work go here now www.castleparkdental.co.uk