Dentists advise that you should eat and drink two hours after brushing your teeth so that the protective agent in the cream has enough time to absorb into your teeth.
Associate Professor, Dr. Tran Cao Binh, Director of Hanoi Central Hospital of Odonto-Stomatology, said that the above recommendation of the World Dental Federation is based on the basis of fluoride and protective substances in toothpaste. In the oral environment, it takes time to remineralize and restore oral damage.
“If you eat it right after brushing your teeth, the protective substance will wash away and have no effect or very limited effect,” Associate Professor Binh said. In fact, many people have the habit of brushing their teeth right after waking up and then eating breakfast.
Dr. Tran Hung Lam, President of the Ho Chi Minh City Dental Implant Association, Deputy Faculty of Dentistry at Van Lang University, also recommends brushing your teeth after breakfast to clean food plaque. “Before going to bed at night, brush your teeth thoroughly. The next day when you wake up, just rinse your mouth,” Dr. Lam explained.
You should eat or drink at least two hours after brushing your teeth. Image: Le Phuong
Experts say that to protect your teeth, you need to brush your teeth at least twice a day after eating. Brushing time is at least two minutes each time. In addition, you should have regular dental check-ups twice a year.
The national oral health survey recorded that only 6.6% of Vietnamese people have regular dental check-ups, very low compared to the world, according to Mr. Lam. Meanwhile, regular examinations help detect and treat dental problems early, avoid serious complications, reduce treatment costs, and create habits of proactively taking care of oral health.
The general rate of dental diseases among Vietnamese people is similar to that in the world, but the severity and complexity are often higher. Many patients undergo late treatment, leading to the inability to keep their teeth. Therefore, doctors recommend that when there are dental problems, it is necessary to treat the disease early and fill teeth when small cavities appear to help keep teeth. Maintain oral hygiene, practice chewing on both sides of the jaw instead of chewing on one side, and do not eat foods that are too hard.