Why Does Food Taste Funny After Brushing?

It’s happened to the best of us—you brush your teeth in the morning only to take a sip of orange juice and cringe. It seems that food always tastes funny after we brush our teeth, no matter what we eat. But why is that? What causes our food to taste different after brushing?

Your Mint Toothpaste Flavor Isn’t to Blame

While it’s easy to assume that food just doesn’t mix well with your minty toothpaste, this is actually not what’s causing the funny taste. Toothpaste contains agents called surfactants that are responsible for making the toothpaste foam up and spread more easily around your mouth.

Surfactants affect your taste buds by inhibiting your receptors for tasting sweet foods while enhancing the taste of bitter foods, skewing the taste of the foods we love. This means a sour drink like OJ will taste especially bitter, while you might notice your morning doughnut tasting blander than usual.

Don’t Worry; It Doesn’t Last Long!

The effects of surfactants shouldn’t last longer than a half hour or so, so just wait a little while before digging into your breakfast. If you really can’t stand the taste, look for a surfactant-free toothpaste—it won’t foam up the way you’re used to, but it’ll still get the job done.

At Bella Smiles, we’re always happy to help our patients achieve the smile of their dreams. If you have questions about your teeth or your oral care routine, our friendly staff is ready to put your mind at ease. If it’s time for a checkup, give our office a call at 832-930-7858 today!

Baby Teeth: What Parents Should Know

When you have a new baby, you’ll likely have a lot of questions – especially as their baby teeth start coming in. How do you properly care for baby teeth, and why is it important that your child see the dentist early on? Here are a few facts about baby teeth that will answer some of your questions.

Baby Teeth Explained

Your child will have 20 baby teeth, also known as primary teeth or temporary teeth. These teeth actually begin forming in the womb, but don’t protrude through the gums until the child is close to a year old. When your child’s permanent teeth are ready to come in, the baby teeth will fall out to make room for their adult teeth.

Caring for Baby Teeth

Before your baby’s teeth come in, the only dental care required is to wipe down their gums twice a day with a warm, damp cloth. Once baby teeth start erupting, though, you’ll have to bump this up to include a soft, small toothbrush and a tiny amount of toothpaste.

Brushing your baby’s teeth is important to help them grow in strong and cavity-free. You should continue to brush your baby’s teeth until they’re old enough to do it themselves, and even then you should supervise to make sure they’re brushing properly.

When Should My Child See the Dentist?

Your child should see the dentist around their first birthday, or earlier if their teeth start coming in long before that. Your child’s dentist will make sure their teeth are developing properly and give you advice on how to care for them. He or she will also be able to detect potential problems like impacted teeth or tooth decay before they get out of control.

If it’s time to make your baby’s first dental appointment, bring them in to Bella Smiles! Our staff is always happy to answer any questions you might have about how to care for your baby’s teeth. Give us a call at 832-930-7858 to book an appointment today!