Should you brush your teeth before or after a meal?

March 15, 2007 3:48pm CST
I have heard arguments promoting either brushing before or brushing them after a meal as being the correct course of action for your teeth... but which one is right? I heard that if you ate sugar and then brushed your teeth, you were actually brushing the sugar into your teeth! So that if you brushed before you ate you rid your mouth of the bacteria before adding sugar to your mouth... and should floss after you eat. I am so lost now! I would like some input.
3 responses
bjone6
@bjone6 (348)
• United States
15 Mar 07
I heard the same thing about brushing after your meal can just shift all the food and sugar around. I floss first, brush, and then use mouth wash. I have really horrible teeth, so I'm probably not the best person to talk about teeth matters.
milliemocha
@milliemocha (48)
•
15 Mar 07
I have terrible teeth too - they look ok, but lots of fillings and I feel like by the time I am 50 I will be toothless! That's kinda why I was asking because I would really like to know what other people do.
soulkeeper16
@soulkeeper16 (1814)
• India
19 Dec 07
make sure I use mouthwash. That's a big factor for me in making sure I have fresh breath. I did not brush my tongue whenever I was brushing my teeth. My dentist have also recommended me to brush tongue as to kill left-over bad bacteria that could cause bad breath and build up cavity in your teeth.
pelo26
@pelo26 (1552)
• Philippines
7 May 07
I think its more proper and logical to brush after eating to clean off residues.