Hot chocolate at night?

Question

Ok. I just need an opinion on this from dentists.

I brush my teeth every morning and every night. However, every night I have a glass of hot chocolate literally just before going to sleep (I drink it and then my head's straight on the pillow). Can't sleep without it. Non-negotiable.

I always brush my teeth BEFORE having the hot chocolate.

A friend of a friend (who is a dentist) told me that that wasn't helpful because I was left with sweet stuff on my teeth all night long when my salivary amylase production was at it's lowest...

However, my own dentist (a few years ago actually - I don't go very often) told me that my history of brushing my teeth immediately after consuming sweet foods was the cause of my sensitive teeth.

I'm not prepared to drink my hot chocolate and then stay up for an hour or two to brush my teeth.

So... in the opinion of the dentists in the house which is the better option: Brushing immediately before drinking hot chocolate, or immediately after?

Answer 1

I think your tooth sensitivity and hotchocolate at night are completely different problems.

Firstly your dentist is right that leaving sweet stuff on your teeth all night gives something for your bacteria to do while you sleep... ie eat it and poop out acid all over your teeth which can lead to decay on and between your teeth or under your fillings.

Secondly, brushing your teeth after something sweet isn't bad. But brushing after something acidic is bad. For example Coca cola has phosphoric acid in it. The acid in the coca cola causes your enamel to become eroded, and sometimes you may feel that your enamel is a little rough after drinking the coke. Brushing your teeth after the acid has softened the enamel rubs away this soft enamel. When the thin enamel layer is rubbed away this leads to sensitivity. The same effect is seen when having other acidic foods such as oranges lemons sour food which contains citric or other acids.

The solution to this is to smear some toothpaste on your teeth to allow the fluoride to reminerize your teeth before you brush them to bits. Also use a soft toothbrush and don't scrub too hard. alternatively use a fluoride mouthwash straight after.

I suggest at least rinsing with water and drinking it after your hot chocolate... you could easily do that from your bed. this would be better than nothing :)

There are other causes of sensitivity and one usual problem is you might brush too hard with a hard toothbrush wearing away the thin layer of enamel on the sides of your teeth. your gums could be shrinking back from gum problems exposing the roots or you may have decay or leaky fillings:)

Answer 2

I would brush immediatley after, since I would rather not have cavities over sensitive teeth.

Answer 3

in case you sweep your teeth after ending your warm chocolate, it may no longer impact your teeth too a lot even if the sugar content textile in chocolate ought to modern a situation after years of continually ingesting it.

Answer 4

Before, because when you consume anything sweet your mouth's pH becomes more acidic which causes your enamel to be "softer", you should be flossing as well.

Answer 5

well brush is after you are done with the drink

Answer 6

brush after hot choc. cheers!