The Dentist’s Corner In Coconut Grove, FL
by Dr. Rita Dargham D.M.D.
Read The Dentist’s Corner In Coconut Grove, FL by Dr. Rita Dargham D.M.D. to learn more about Grove Smiles® Dentistry and our Dentistry office in Coconut Grove, FL.
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The morning can be an action packed adventure. Most often our morning ritual prioritizes showering, getting dressed, brushing our teeth and then having breakfast. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but what you are finding is that some food and drinks do not taste as wonderful after you have brushed your teeth.
Here’s Why!
Myth 1 – The Flavor of the Toothpaste is to Blame
It is a very common misconception that mint-flavored toothpaste causes the unpleasant taste when eating that first meal after brushing. The truth is it is a chemical found in most toothpaste called sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) or other variants like sodium laureth sulfate (SLES). These compounds are known as surfactants, which are the foaming agents which make it easier to spread toothpaste and evenly in your mouth as you brush.
Although the surfactants aid in the brushing of your teeth, they also affect your taste buds.
Understanding The Effect On Your Taste Buds
Surfactants like SLS affect your taste buds in a couple of different ways.
First, it suppresses receptors that pick up the sweet taste of food and drinks. For this reason, that is why some foods just taste a little blander if you have just recently brushed your teeth.
The second way surfactants affect your taste buds is it enhances the bitter flavors, so sour food and drinks taste especially bitter.
This effect is especially noticeable when drinking orange juice. The funny truth is your morning glass of OJ is surprisingly tart if you eliminated the natural sugars. So when you take a sip of orange juice after brushing your teeth, not only will SLS inhibit your ability to taste your drink’s sweetness, it will enhance the underlying sour flavor to make it taste even more bitter.
Relax, It Is Only Temporary
Fortunately for us, the effects of SLS do not linger too long in the morning. After about 30 minutes, your saliva will have diluted the leftover surfactants, and things begin to taste normal again.
To avoid the unpleasant taste after you brush, take a little time to read the paper or accomplish other to-do’s in your regular morning routine before you eat. Rearranging morning activities is an easy way to help your breakfast taste sweet!
Love To Make You Smile in Coconut Grove, FL
We love making our patients smile.
Whether it’s through fun tips like this or answering questions about your unique oral health situation, our priority is keeping their teeth happy and healthy.
Do you have any more questions about your morning oral hygiene routine? Call us or contact us today!
Here at Grove Smiles Dentistry in Coconut Grove, FL, we love to answer them all!
For Your Health,
Dr. Rita Dargham D.M.D.
