The worst time of day to eat for your teeth
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Award-winning dentist Dr Alex Foo from Aria Dental has revealed that the timing of when you eat can play a significant role in maintaining your dental health.
While brushing and flossing are vital, avoiding food and drink during a specific two-hour window in the afternoon can help keep your teeth strong and healthy.
Dr Foo explains that after lunch, it’s important to give your mouth a break. “Allowing your saliva to naturally clean and remineralise your teeth for at least two hours after a meal can greatly reduce the risk of cavities and enamel erosion,” he says.
He further explains that saliva flow is affected by your body’s natural circadian rhythm. “In the morning, saliva tends to be more acidic and flows more slowly. However, after lunch, the pH of your saliva rises, which makes it more effective at protecting your teeth by helping to remineralise enamel.”
Dr Foo also emphasises the importance of a healthy lunch. “What you eat at midday can impact the quality of your saliva for the rest of the afternoon. A salad or other healthy options can promote better oral health. Using a little xylitol after lunch can also help stimulate beneficial saliva production.”
To help protect your teeth, Dr Foo advises avoiding snacking or consuming drinks other than water during the two-hour window after lunch. This allows your saliva to do its job of keeping your teeth clean and protecting them from decay.
