Should I Brush My Teeth Before Ancestry Dna
Ancestry DNA testing has become a popular way to explore your family history, discover your ethnic origins, and connect with relatives you never knew existed. However, some people wonder whether they should brush their teeth before providing a DNA sample. In this article, we'll explore the reasons why brushing your teeth might be a good idea, as well as some potential drawbacks.
Why Brushing Your Teeth Might Be a Good Idea
When you provide a DNA sample, you're essentially giving a snapshot of your genetic material at that moment in time. If you have food particles or other debris in your mouth, it could potentially contaminate the sample and affect the accuracy of your results.
Brushing your teeth before providing a DNA sample can help remove any debris from your mouth and ensure a cleaner sample. This can be especially important if you've eaten recently, as food particles can linger in your mouth for hours after a meal.
In addition, brushing your teeth can help reduce the amount of bacteria in your mouth. While some bacteria are harmless, others can interfere with DNA testing and affect the accuracy of your results.
Potential Drawbacks of Brushing Your Teeth
While there are certainly benefits to brushing your teeth before providing a DNA sample, there are also some potential drawbacks to consider.
For example, if you brush your teeth too vigorously or use an abrasive toothpaste, you could potentially damage the cells in your mouth and affect the quality of your DNA sample. In addition, if you use mouthwash or other oral care products that contain alcohol or other chemicals, this could also affect the accuracy of your results.
Another potential issue is that if you brush your teeth too soon before providing a DNA sample, you could potentially introduce new bacteria into your mouth through eating or drinking. This could potentially affect the accuracy of your results.
What to Do Instead
If you're unsure whether you should brush your teeth before providing a DNA sample, there are some other steps you can take to ensure a clean and accurate sample:
- Avoid eating or drinking anything (including water) for at least 30 minutes before providing your sample.
- Rinse your mouth out with water before providing your sample to help remove any debris.
- Avoid using mouthwash or other oral care products for at least 30 minutes before providing your sample.
- If you're concerned about bacteria in your mouth, you can try using an oral probiotic or eating probiotic-rich foods in the days leading up to your DNA test.
Conclusion
While there are some potential benefits to brushing your teeth before providing a DNA sample, there are also some potential drawbacks to consider. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to brush your teeth before a DNA test is up to you. Just remember that there are other steps you can take to ensure a clean and accurate sample, such as rinsing your mouth out with water and avoiding oral care products before your test.
