Diet Tips for Stronger, Healthier Teeth
Experts advise avoiding food and drinks for about two hours after lunch to maintain strong, shiny teeth.
According to dental expert Dr. Alex Foo, giving your teeth a break after lunch is essential to prevent damage. He recommends refraining from eating or drinking for two hours after lunch to help strengthen teeth and prevent cavities.
"Allowing natural saliva to clean and remineralize the teeth for at least two hours after a meal can significantly reduce the risk of cavities and enamel erosion," Dr. Foo said.
He explained that after lunch, the pH level of saliva rises sharply, promoting the remineralization process of tooth enamel, which helps protect the teeth effectively. Remineralization is the body’s natural mechanism to repair enamel after the daily chewing process, as the enamel is constantly worn down by harmful bacteria, sugars, and acids in food. This process is known as demineralization, which gradually erodes the enamel and leads to tooth sensitivity.
Dr. Foo also noted that the food consumed during lunch affects the quality of saliva throughout the day. Making healthy food choices contributes to a healthier oral environment.
"Salads or other healthy choices can help promote oral health," he added.
Whitney DiFoggio, a dentist based in New York, shares this view. She previously advised avoiding fermentable carbohydrates during meals—such as white bread, pasta, chips, cereals, and cookies—to keep teeth bright and clean.
"Fermentable carbohydrates are harmful to teeth because they break down into sugar while still in the mouth. This hidden sugar can erode the enamel," she explained.
Experts recommend avoiding food for two hours after lunch to allow enamel to remineralize.
DiFoggio also noted that these types of carbohydrates create a more acidic environment in the mouth, forcing saliva to work overtime to clear food particles from the teeth, thus "increasing the risk of cavities." She emphasized that hard, crunchy foods that require more chewing—like carrots and celery—are generally better for overall dental health.
Dr. Foo also recommends chewing xylitol gum after lunch, as this habit stimulates saliva production that benefits the teeth. Xylitol is a natural sweetener found in plants, commonly used in sugar-free gum, and is considered a healthier alternative to gums sweetened with aspartame.
Previously, Shaadi Manouchehri, a UK-based dentist, shared her own breakfast and tooth-brushing routine. To maintain optimal oral hygiene, she brushes her teeth before eating breakfast.
"If you brush after eating, your gums and teeth can become damaged. You’re more likely to get cavities because bacteria multiply overnight. Eating right away can be harmful, so brushing beforehand is recommended," said Dr. Manouchehri.
Brushing before breakfast also protects teeth from harmful acids in food and drinks while giving you fresher breath.
If you choose to brush after breakfast, it’s best to wait 30 minutes to allow your enamel time to remineralize and harden after exposure to acidic foods. Drinking water can help initiate this process.
Dr. Foo also noted that brushing twice a day may not be enough to maintain healthy teeth. People should aim to brush about three times a day.
