If you’ve consumed anything acidic, you should avoid brushing your teeth for at least 30 minutes. Foods containing citric acid, such as oranges, grapefruits and lemons weaken tooth enamel and brushing too soon after eating these types of foods can potentially damage it.
As such, it’s always a good idea to brush your teeth before, and not after eating acidic foods and to have a glass of water after in order to wash away the acids. But apart from brushing your teeth, you can also clean them by flossing daily, drinking plenty of water, or going for regular dental checkups.
Interestingly, if you can’t find the time to wait to brush your teeth, try eating nutritious foods that are low in carbohydrates and sugar after eating something acidic. This will help reduce the harmful acids that such foods can create.
In addition, prolonged exposure to phosphoric acid, an ingredient found in soft drinks, can erode hard tissues from the tooth surface. Acid erosion causes permanent damage to your teeth and in order to keep acid erosion to a minimum, restrict snacking between meals and be mindful of consumption of soft drinks and sugary snack foods.