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!