Thinking of brushing your teeth as soon as you jump out of bed? You may want to hold your horses. Or do you prefer brushing post-breakfast? Then you better set your egg timer, chum. Brace yourself as we sink our teeth into this debate.

The good old American Dental Association (ADA) stands by the mantra 'Twice a day keeps the plaque away', but they've left the ‘when’ part conveniently ambiguous.

Right after opening your peepers from a good night's sleep, a good brush can disrupt the overnight bac-party occurring in your mouth. It paves the way for that breakfast burrito, leaving a layer of fluoride like some sort of mouthguard against food acids.

Your early morning brushing session also kickstarts saliva production. Think of saliva as your mouth's inbuilt germ warfare system, annihilating harmful bacteria and neutralizing acids.

Later, once you’ve had a heart-to-heart with your morning toast and jam, brushing could wipe off the carbs and sugar residents who've set up camp between your teeth. Susanne Kölare Jeffrey, (a general and geriatric dentist and clinical associate professor of restorative dentistry at the University of Washington) would put her money on brushing after chowing down your breakfast.

But scrubbing your enamel right after diving into that Belgian waffle might not be the finest idea. Wait a solid 30-60 minutes post-feast to let your saliva do its job of acid elimination and enamel repair.

What to do during that wait? Maybe write a poem or paint a picture. Or, swish some water around your mouth as recommended by Peter Arsenault, a private practice dentist and professor of comprehensive care at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. Got a penchant for chewing gum? Opt for the sugarless variant to get your salivary glands working overtime post-breakfast binge.

Remember, your morning dark roast coffee or OJ can be the villain here, making your enamel resemble a marshmallow. So, postpone your brush-a-thon to avoid any unnecessary wear and tear to your teeth structures.

Can't spare 30 minutes in the morning? No worries. Arsenault reassures that the right brushing techniques can save your teeth from harm even if you prefer to brush straight after your early morning chow.

The ADA recommends soft-bristle toothbrushes and a good amount of toothpaste loaded with fluoride. Position your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle at the gumline and use small back and forth strokes with gentle pressure. And don’t forget to floss! This too can eliminate food remnants and plaque.

When it comes to flossing, the ADA doesn't care a whit about 'when', just do it once a day!

Now, while brushing your teeth post-breakfast is up for debate, brushing before hitting the sheets is non-negotiable. Why? Because sleeping is not saliva's most productive shift, and brushing before bedtime keeps the plague that is plaque from wreaking havoc while you dream about chocolate mountains and rivers of wine.

Finally, studies show that brushing before dozing off might help keep your ticker in check. Remember, your mouth is the gateway to your body, and poor dental hygiene might just invite heart trouble.

So there you have it, folks; we’ve bitten into the brushing-before-or-after-breakfast conundrum. Keep scrolling for further references and a smattering of sarcasm. Let's keep this biting spirit of questioning alive. Brush responsibly!