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    Is your toothbrush giving you stained teeth?

    Updated:4 Aug 2017 4:24 PM | Posted by
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    Everyone wants a perfect set of pearly whites like Petra Nemcova. Everyone. But if you think brushing your teeth straight after eating is the best way to prevent stained teeth, you’re sadly mistaken. In fact, doing so might just do the exact opposite.

    RELATED: The surprising culprits staining your teeth

    What you actually need to do to stop teeth staining is this: wait 30 minutes. Yes, sit patiently and reminisce about your sensational meal for half an hour. For this is the key amount of time you need wait before brushing your teeth after sipping on well-known teeth stainers such as dark soft drinks, red wine, and colourful foods such as tomatoes.

    The reason for this is very simple. When you eat acidic foods and brush your teeth soon after, your toothbrush actually brushes the acid further into your teeth, causing your enamel to erode. And this is very bad news, because enamel does not grow back. (It's a little stubborn like that.) However, your body is incredibly smart and knows exactly how to avoid this nasty outcome, you just need to give it a little time...

    Waiting half an hour before picking up your toothbrush gives your saliva time to neutralise those enamel-eroding acids. This helps prevent teeth stains and discolouration, as well as acid wear. Who knew your saliva was so wonderfully handy and hardworking, huh?

    Oh, and if you really want to protect your teeth from both staining and enamel wear, opt for a soft toothbrush and a toothpaste high in fluoride. Of course, we also suggest limiting high acidic foods from your diet, but hey, sometimes that’s easier said than done.

    5 of the best soft toothbrushes:

    Do you brush your teeth after every meal? Will you allow 30 minutes before brushing after eating from now on? What are your tips for prevent stains?

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    87 Member Comments

    Miss19 30 May 2019 12:40 AM

    Oh wow didn't know that! Good to know

    Chicklet 7 Nov 2016 8:15 PM

    I tend to wait after eating to brush my teeth, so good to hear I'm doing the right thing.

    Shop A Everyday 20 Sep 2016 6:38 PM

    So easy to forget to do after lunch

    itslinda 5 Apr 2016 5:50 PM

    Great article

    Yohanna 10 Apr 2015 7:03 AM

    definitely waiting before brushing

    bonnyanne 9 Dec 2014 12:23 AM

    I certainly don't brush my teeth after every single meal. Interesting to know about the acids though.

    Goldcat 5 Dec 2014 9:30 PM

    Never heard of Petra Nemcova, but yes I agree she has lovely teeth

    Goldcat 5 Dec 2014 9:26 PM

    I never thought about this before.

    moonbaby54 26 Nov 2014 12:44 PM

    I only brush twice a day, but will have to make sure it is at least 30 mins after eating or drinking. Good article .

    Cazzen 26 Nov 2014 7:15 AM

    That's a very informative article. When I was growing up we were taught to brush within 20 minutes of eating (especially sweet foods) and I hurry to brush my teeth after eating. Now I'll wait a little while.

    emily612 3 Jul 2014 7:14 AM

    Quite interesting how a toothbrush can hurt ur teeth :(

    lynx 7 Apr 2014 6:41 AM

    This is an eye opening article.

    itslinda 5 Apr 2014 5:33 AM

    I didn't know this, I'll definitely wait from now on

    kelleyley 23 Mar 2014 5:55 AM

    That's interesting, i didn't know that, good thing I never brush my teeth immediately after eating- causing more harm than good

    Anne980 21 Mar 2014 4:05 AM

    I don't like soft toothbrushes, i prefer medium

    Ssajwani 8 Mar 2014 9:53 AM

    i brush my teeth twice a day!

    apple8 27 Feb 2014 12:48 AM

    Very informative article.

    Pam_Grills 16 Feb 2014 4:28 AM

    Wow I am now going to wait those extra special 30 minutes before heading to the bathroom to brush:))

    Piccolanippy 31 Jan 2014 6:12 PM

    Pretty interesting, and good to know.

    JaneenAbby 31 Jan 2014 9:08 AM

    My dentist told me to never let the children drink a sports drink then brush their teeth soon after. The sports drink actually softens the enamel so the enamel is easily brushed off. I hate sports drinks anyway.

    loz0181 27 Jan 2014 9:58 PM

    I'm a morning and night brusher and I love the Colgate 360 brushes!

    Hippy 26 Jan 2014 1:48 AM

    Pwhoah! 30 minutes, I have heard that before but I didn't understand why, now I do. I usually brush my teeth straight after because it is convenient. Not sure how early I ought to eat breakfast now to compensate for that half hour wait XD

    AmberB 25 Jan 2014 1:10 PM

    I didn't know this - thanks for the info

    Shop A Everyday 24 Jan 2014 9:29 AM

    I brush twice a day and have just started flossing, its hard to get those back ones

    Maddison797 23 Jan 2014 6:36 AM

    I brush my teeth every Morning and Night, I've never really brushed my teeth after every meal except for breakfast and dinner. Glad I Don't few

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