A dentist has said she spent years brushing her teeth “the wrong way”. Patty Cabo posted a video on social media, revealing how a simple change can make a big difference.

Her suggested routine is based on physiological evidence and aims to minimise the damage that everyday mistakes can cause in the long term. However the dentist admits she made this very common mistake for years, revealing: “I’ve spent my whole life brushing my teeth incorrectly.

“The problem, she explains, begins during sleep, when the pH of the mouth becomes more acidic, which encourages the proliferation of bacteria. This imbalance is what causes morning breath.

Asking people whether you “brush your teeth before or after breakfast” she said that you’re probably making the same mistake. She added that when we “go to sleep, our mouths reach their most acidic level. That’s why our breath smells when we wake up. I always brushed my teeth after breakfast.

“However, all I was doing was ingesting the bacteria that had built up overnight, with even more bacteria from breakfast. My mum, on the other hand, used to brush her teeth before breakfast, but that’s not ideal either. Because your mouth is so acidic in the morning, brushing straight away can actually wear out your enamel. So, what is the correct order?

“When you wake up, the first thing you should do is drink a glass of water. By doing so, you help neutralise the pH of your mouth and reduce acidity.”

She suggests that after you have done, this, you “wait about 10 minutes, then brush your teeth to eliminate the bacteria that accumulated overnight.”

After this, you can have your favourite breakfast whether it’s yogurt, fruit, toast, a cereal bar or something a little more fancy with  crispy bacon. But she warned: “Remember, breakfast is the most important meal of the day” and if you can, you should try and not skip it.

In her final piece of advice, she says: “Lastly, brush your teeth again. That way, you start your day with a full stomach and clean teeth.”

Making this simple change can greatly protect enamel and limit bacterial growth. So if you make this change and make part of your daily habit, it could have a significant – and positive – impact.