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3 times you shouldn’t brush your teeth, according to dental experts
Brushing your teeth is good for you, right? Well, not all the time. According to experts, there are a few instances where you want to avoid brushing your teeth in order to protect the enamel.
TikTok user @drshaadimanouchehri, a London-based dentist, raised eyebrows for posting about this in December, garnering over 12 million views on her video that advised people not to brush after breakfast or eating sweets, or even after vomiting. Experts CBS News spoke with echoed her recommendations.
“If possible, you should avoid brushing immediately after meals in general — not just breakfast,” says Dr. Jossen Gastelum, an Arizona-based general dentist known as @doctorjossen on social media.
Why? Eating or drinking — or vomiting — can change the pH or acidity level of your mouth to a dangerous state at which enamel starts to deteriorate, he explains.
“Our saliva has natural buffering abilities to help withstand these acid attacks, but it usually takes about 30 minutes to do so,” Gastelum adds. “Brushing before then has the potential to brush acids into your teeth only further accelerating the deterioration and damage of the enamel.”
Registered dental hygienist Whitney DiFoggio also suggests avoiding brushing after consuming any highly acidic foods or drinks, including items such as citrus fruits, soda and wine.
How damaging is it?
If you’ve already brushed after any of these activities, you’ll be OK — just don’t make it a regular habit, Gastelum says.
“A one-time offense, honestly, probably won’t do serious long-term damage,” he says. But he warns: “The cumulative effect of these acid attacks combined with brushing immediately after is a recipe for disaster. The worst part is that once the enamel is thin or gone, the second layer of the tooth, the dentin, is even more delicate and will quickly deteriorate at an even faster state.”
While the idea of not brushing immediately after vomiting may be unappealing, DiFoggio suggests that for those who may deal with it more regularly due to morning sickness or acid reflux, for example, “it’s better to adopt safer practices moving forward to protect your enamel.”
What can you do instead of brushing?
Here are a few expert-approved alternatives to try:
Wait 30 to 60 minutes: “For all these situations, it’s generally recommended to wait about 30 to 60 minutes before brushing your teeth,” DiFoggio says. “This waiting period allows your saliva to help neutralize the acids and begin the process of enamel remineralization.”
Wash with water: “To help further protect from these acid attacks on your enamel, you can swish with normal tap water immediately after these activities,” Gastelum says, though he adds it “does not usually do much for the bad breath or taste associated with these activities — which is why people feel the urge to brush immediately after in the first place.”
Rinse with moutwash: “Swishing with a non-acidic, alcohol-free mouthwash is another option that can help without drying out the mouth or exacerbating acid exposure,” DiFoggio suggests. “For after vomiting, rinsing with a mixture of water and baking soda can help neutralize the acidic levels in the mouth, as well.”
For after meals, Gastelum recommends an alkaline/pH-neutral rinse.
“It really helps to effectively buffer out the acids while still freshening your breath as well,” he says.
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How to watch the Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears NFL game today: Livestream options, more
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The Minnesota Vikings will take on the Chicago Bears today. The Vikings are currently 8-2, an impressive run so far this season, and will be looking to add a fourth win to their current streak after last Sunday’s 23-13 win against the Tennessee Titans. The Bears, on the other hand, are entering this game on the heels of a four-game losing streak after a tough 20-19 loss against the Green Bay Packers last Sunday.
Here’s how and when you can watch the Vikings vs. Bears game today, whether or not you have cable.
How and when to watch the Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears
The Vikings vs. Bears game will be played on Sunday, November 24, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. ET (11:00 a.m. PT). The game will air on Fox and stream on Fubo and the platforms featured below.
How and when to watch the Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears game without cable
You can watch this week’s NFL game on Fox via several streaming services. All you need is an internet connection and one of the top options outlined below.
Fubo offers you an easy, user-friendly way to watch NFL games on CBS, Fox, NBC, ABC, ESPN, and NFL Network, plus NCAA football channels. The Pro tier includes 200+ channels and unlimited DVR, while the Elite with Sports Plus tier adds NFL RedZone and 4K resolution. New subscribers get a seven-day free trial and all plans allow streaming on up to 10 screens simultaneously.
You can watch today’s game with a subscription to Sling’s Orange + Blue tier, which includes ESPN, ABC, NBC, and Fox. The plan offers 46 channels with local NFL games, nationally broadcast games and 50 hours of DVR storage. For complete NFL coverage, add Paramount+ to get CBS games, or upgrade with the Sports Extra add-on for additional sports channels like Golf Channel, NBA TV and NFL RedZone.
Watching NFL games, including Fox broadcasts, is simple with Hulu + Live TV, which includes 90 channels, unlimited DVR storage, and access to NFL preseason games, live regular season games and studio shows. The service includes ESPN+ and Disney+ in the subscription.
Want to watch today’s game live on your smartphone? If so, NFL+ streaming service is the solution you’re looking for. It lets you watch NFL Network and out-of-market games on mobile devices, with an upgrade option to NFL+ Premium that includes NFL RedZone for watching up to eight games simultaneously. Note that NFL+ only works on phones and tablets, not TVs.
CBS News
How to watch the Detroit Lions vs. Indianapolis Colts NFL game today: Livestream options, more
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The Detroit Lions will face off against the Indianapolis Colts today. The Lions enter this game as top contenders with a near-perfect record of 9-1 so far this season. The Colts, who are 5-6 this season, could have a tough game on their hands against the Lions but will be looking to rack up another win after prevailing over the New York Jets in a tight game last Sunday.
Here’s how and when you can watch the Colts vs. Lions game today, whether or not you have cable.
Here’s how and when to watch the Detroit Lions vs. Indianapolis Colts
The Lions vs. Colts game will be played on Sunday, November 24, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. ET (11:00 a.m. PT). The game will air on Fox and stream on Fubo and the platforms featured below.
How and when to watch the Detroit Lions vs. Indianapolis Colts game without cable
You can watch this week’s NFL game on Fox via several streaming services. All you need is an internet connection and one of the top options outlined below.
Experience NFL action like never before with Fubo’s comprehensive sports streaming platform. From Sunday showdowns to primetime matchups, catch every NFL game across major networks including CBS, Fox, NBC, ABC, ESPN and NFL Network. Choose the Pro package to unlock 200+ channels and limitless DVR storage, or elevate your game-day experience with the Elite with Sports Plus package, featuring NFL RedZone’s commercial-free scoring highlights and stunning 4K quality.
Test drive the service with a no-commitment seven-day free trial, and share the excitement with family and friends — Fubo supports simultaneous streaming on up to 10 devices, so everyone can watch their favorite teams.
You can watch today’s game with a subscription to Sling’s Orange + Blue tier, which includes ESPN, ABC, NBC, and Fox. The plan offers 46 channels with local NFL games, nationally broadcast games, and 50 hours of DVR storage. For complete NFL coverage, add Paramount+ to get CBS games, or upgrade with the Sports Extra add-on for additional sports channels like Golf Channel, NBA TV and NFL RedZone.
Watching NFL games, including Fox broadcasts, is simple with Hulu + Live TV, which includes 90 channels, unlimited DVR storage, and access to NFL preseason games, live regular season games and studio shows. The service includes ESPN+ and Disney+ in the subscription.
Want to watch today’s game live on your smartphone? If so, NFL+ streaming service is the solution you’re looking for. It lets you watch NFL Network and out-of-market games on mobile devices, with an upgrade option to NFL+ Premium that includes NFL RedZone for watching up to eight games simultaneously. Note that NFL+ only works on phones and tablets, not TVs.