You’ve heard it plenty of times before: it is important to brush your teeth twice a day! But sometimes, the time you brush conflicts with your eating schedule.
Have you ever been offered an ice-cold glass of refreshing OJ at the start of your day, only to realize the combination of fruity goodness and minty toothpaste doesn’t pair well? This happens to the best of us. Let’s discuss why your toothpaste can manipulate your taste buds after you brush.
The Ingredient to Blame
Thanks to an ingredient called sodium laureth sulfate (SLS), which allows your toothpaste to produce foamy bubbles, the receptors in your mouth become suppressed to sweet flavors. A common chemical in products like pastes, shampoos, and detergents, these suckers break up fatty molecules, or phospholipids, on your tongue. Phospholipids work to subdue bitter flavors, however when combined with SLS, your taste buds react by masking sweetness and enhancing bitterness.
Keeping SLES at Bay
If you want to enjoy a fresh mouth and your OJ simultaneously, reach for a SLS-free paste. SLS toothpaste won’t have the same foamy mouthfeel, although it will allow your morning juice to taste exactly how it should!
Can’t live without a spreadable foamy SLS paste? Opt for a glass of water or piece of sugar free gum; this will increase saliva production, removing SLS before you go for your fresh squeeze beverage.
Why Not Brush Your Teeth After Breakfast?
You may be thinking to yourself, “why go through all of this trouble when I can just start with juice and end with a brush?” Although this simple switch seems like a viable solution, it is not good for your smile!
Brushing your teeth is a great way to clean your mouth after a meal, however you need to wait at least 30 minutes after consumption. The reason this is important is because your mouth’s pH levels are in jeopardy.
Consuming foods and beverages increase the acidity in our mouths to some degree, which makes our teeth vulnerable to pain and cosmetic issues. Using an abrasive tool while our enamel is compromised to acid might damage your teeth! Your best bet is to wait to brush and, in the meantime, increase the saliva in your mouth by chewing sugar free gum or drinking water.
Have Clean Teeth and Enjoy your AM Juice
Don’t compromise your taste buds or oral hygiene, you can practice both if you follow our advice!
Check out this article for more information regarding SLS-free toothpaste.