There is nothing better than a tall glass of vitamin C to get the day started; but have you ever tried to enjoy your orange juice right after you’ve brushed your teeth? The taste is not so pleasant!
If you are an avid OJ drinker and have ever wondered what’s going on here, look no further.
SLS: The Offending Ingredient
The main culprit behind that weird taste is a common ingredient in shampoo, soap, and toothpaste: SLS. Sodium laureth sulfate is added to products to help substances lather and foam easily.
Even though this seems harmless enough, SLS suppresses taste receptors on your taste buds, making it hard to enjoy sweet flavors. So, when SLS breaks down phospholipids, bitter flavors are amplified.
Your OJ tastes weird because a chemical reaction in your mouth is simultaneously suppressing sweet flavors while emphasizing bitter ones.
Controlling SLS
If you aren’t partial to that sudsy mouthfeel, you can consider using SLS-free toothpaste. There are plenty of alternative pastes on the market that won’t interfere with the taste of your orange juice while still cleaning your mouth.
If you want to stick to your toothpaste, you can try chewing sugar-free gum or drinking some water after you brush, both will help increase saliva flow and rinse away SLS.
Why Not Brush Your Teeth After Breakfast?
It might seem like you can just bypass the issue by brushing after OJ consumption, however, you could end up doing more harm than good.
OJ, coffee and citrus fruits temporarily offset the pH levels in your mouth, creating a more acidic environment. Brushing while your teeth are in this state weakens your enamel and can lead to pain, sensitivity and even cosmetic issues.
We always recommend waiting at least 30 minutes to brush your teeth after you eat.
Enjoy your OJ with a Clean Smile
We hope this persuades you to follow the right steps so that you can keep your teeth safe while still enjoying the flavor or your juice!
Learn more about SLS-free toothpastes.