I'm a dentist - here is the time of day you should NEVER eat during in order to protect your teeth

A dentist has revealed the time of day that you shouldn't be eating or drinking during in order to protect your teeth.  

Dr. Ellie Phillips is a health expert who frequently shares her tips and tricks to looking after your pearly whites on her TikTok account, where she boasts more than 414,200 followers.

Most recently, the dentist, who is based in Austin, Texas, took to the video-sharing platform to reveal why eating in the afternoon can negatively impact your smile. 

In a now viral video, which has so far amassed over 49,700 views, the dentist shared that you should 'leave your mouth alone' after you eat your lunch for at least a 'couple hours' so your saliva can 'mineralize' your teeth.

A dentist has revealed the time of day that you shouldn't be eating or drinking during in order to protect your teeth 

Dr. Ellie Phillips is a health expert who frequently shares her tips and tricks to looking after your pearly whites on her TikTok account, where she boasts more than 414,200 followers 

She captioned the clip: 'The time of day when you should NOT eat or drink.' 

'There are two hours during the day when you shouldn't be eating and you shouldn't be drinking. I'm Dr. Ellie and I'm here to help you avoid unnecessary dental treatments,' she said at the beginning of the clip. 

She explained that your circadian rhythm - which is the body's natural 24-hour cycle - controls the flow of saliva into your mouth. 

Dr. Ellie revealed that in the morning, your saliva will move more 'slowly' and be more 'acidic.' 

'But after lunch, in the early afternoon hours, your resting saliva will naturally be a higher pH, close to the pH necessary for mineralization of your teeth.

'It will also be a better flow, it will be more liquid to move around your mouth,' she explained. 

The dentist then revealed exactly how your lunch routine should go - including what you should eat. 

'What you eat for lunch will have an effect on the quality of the salvia in your mouth during the afternoon, so having a salad for lunch is really good. 

'Then, maybe have a little bit of xylitol just to start the flow of this good, healthy salvia. And then, in the afternoon hours, leave your mouth alone,' Dr. Ellie added. 

Most recently, the dentist, who is based in Austin, Texas , took to the video-sharing platform to reveal why eating in the afternoon can negatively impact your smile 

People flooded the comments section and praised the dentist for her advice as one person said: 'So cool!' 

And while the dentist didn't provide specific times, she clarified that you shouldn't eat or drink anything for two hours in the afternoon following your midday meal. 

She revealed that doing so will help you avoid cavities - adding that your saliva will clean your teeth. 

At the end of the clip, she also urged viewers to avoid snacking. 

People flooded the comments section and praised the dentist for her advice as one person said: 'So cool!'

Another user added: 'Learning so much from your videos, thank you, makes so much sense.'

Someone else wrote: 'Thank you for great information.'

'Very helpful,' added another viewer.