I've wondered about this too, especially since I'm a bit paranoid about enamel damage (first-time dental patient anxiety here, lol). From what my dentist explained, brushing immediately after acidic drinks like coffee can actually weaken enamel. Better to rinse with water first, wait about 30 mins, then brush gently...seems safer overall.
"Better to rinse with water first, wait about 30 mins, then brush gently...seems safer overall."
Totally agree with this! My kiddo's dentist gave us similar advice after she started drinking orange juice every morning. We switched to rinsing first and waiting a bit before brushing—her sensitivity improved noticeably. Small change, big difference.
Interesting, but waiting 30 mins isn't always practical, especially when rushing out the door. My ortho suggested using fluoride mouthwash briefly instead—it neutralizes acidity faster and saves time. Worked pretty well for me, might be worth a shot.
That's a pretty good tip, actually. I totally get the issue with waiting 30 mins—life just doesn't always cooperate with dental guidelines, does it? I've been dealing with sensitive teeth and enamel issues for years, and my dentist mentioned something similar about fluoride mouthwash. At first, I was skeptical because I've always been a bit old-school about dental care—brush, floss, rinse, done—but honestly, the mouthwash trick has saved me more than once when I'm running late or just too tired at night.
Funny story: I used to be super strict about following the 30-minute rule after acidic foods or drinks, but one morning I was already late for an appointment and had just finished my orange juice. Stood there staring at my toothbrush like an idiot, debating whether to brush or not. Ended up skipping brushing entirely (I know, not ideal), and felt weird and guilty all day. After that, I asked my dentist about alternatives and she recommended the fluoride rinse method. Been using it ever since when I'm in a pinch.
It's great to hear someone else's ortho is recommending the same thing—it reassures me that I'm not just taking shortcuts. And honestly, sometimes practicality has to win out over perfection. Glad it's working well for you too.
"Ended up skipping brushing entirely (I know, not ideal), and felt weird and guilty all day."
Haha, been there...but honestly, fluoride rinses aren't always enough for me. My dentist suggested chewing sugar-free gum after acidic stuff—it boosts saliva and helps neutralize acids quicker. Might be worth trying sometime?
