US vs India: American woman shocked by how people brush their teeth

Did you brush your teeth today? When - before or after breakfast? Don’t worry, this is not an interrogation, but when and how often you brush your teeth really matters. Turns out, oral hygiene and routine vary across continents and countries - one American woman found it the most interesting way.

Dental hygiene: US vs India

Kristen Fischer, originally from Colorado Springs, US, and currently residing in Delhi, India, was surprised to learn that Indians brush their teeth before breakfast. For her, and for many in the US, brushing typically happens after breakfast. In an Instagram reel that has since gone viral, the woman talks about how dental hygiene is different in India compared to the US. “I learned something new today. Apparently, Americans and Indians are taught to do this one thing completely differently.

So I posted a reel recently, and I got so many comments about people saying how weird it was that I brushed my teeth after eating breakfast,” the woman recalled.

She revealed that the comments were strange, and she was curious why people commented so. “Now, these were strange comments to me, so I wanted to know why. Then, after that, I put out a poll asking people when they brush their teeth, and I got thousands of responses.

Most Indians brush their teeth before having breakfast, and most non-Indians brush their teeth after having breakfast,” she said.

The woman also revealed she has always brushed her teeth after eating food in the morning. “Now, this was surprising to me because growing up in America, I was always taught you brush after eating because you wanna clean the food off of your teeth,” the woman added.

Which is the best - Brushing before or after breakfast?

The American Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth twice a day. You have to brush for a full 2 minutes both times. However, these guidelines don’t recommend when, exactly, to do your brushing.

Most people brush their teeth in the morning, right after waking up, and at night, before going to bed. Brushing before having breakfast or anything else is considered better. When you sleep, the plaque-causing bacteria multiply in your mouth. This is why some people have stinky morning breath. When you brush right away after waking up in the morning, the fluoride toothpaste removes the plaque and the bacteria. It coats the enamel with a barrier that protects the teeth from acid in your food.

These benefits are not present when you brush after eating.