Why Do I Brush My Teeth Before Bed?

Why Do I Brush My Teeth Before Bed?Good oral hygiene is the most important part of keeping a healthy smile. Good oral hygiene includes a brushing and flossing at least twice a day, drinking plenty of water, healthy nutrition, and dental visits every six months for an exam and a cleaning. While not every problem in your mouth’s health can be prevented by a good oral hygiene routine, many of them can be. A good oral hygiene routine also includes brushing before bedtime. Why is brushing and flossing before going to sleep so important?

A Sleeping Mouth Is a Bacterial Hotbed

When you are sleeping, your body slows down on producing saliva in order to prevent choking and creating unnecessary production. A lack of saliva turns your mouth a dry desert-like cave, and a dry mouth is a hotbed for bacteria to reproduce. Any leftover food or drink particles in your mouth gathered throughout the day become a feast for bacteria to feed on and multiply. Harmful bacteria in your mouth leads to tooth decay and gum disease.

Rid Your Mouth of Bacteria Bait

The last things to touch your teeth should only be one of these three things: water, a toothbrush, or floss. Anything else can become a feast for harmful bacteria. When your bacteria feeds on leftover food, it creates acid that will attack your teeth and gums. If you are sleeping for eight hours after you ate cookies in your bed, those cookie remains have a lot of time to mingle with bacteria. Even cough syrup contains ingredients that can stick to your teeth, since it was designed to coat your throat. If you cannot resist the midnight snack, be sure to brush afterward or at the very least rinse it away with water.  Any other beverage besides water should be washed away. Keeping your mouth clean before you go to bed can help protect your smile from harm.

 

A good bedtime routine can keep your smile healthy

Good oral hygiene is the best defense against oral health issues.  To schedule a consultation with Smith Family Dentistry in Greenville, TX, call us at 903-455-5750. We proudly serve patients from Hunt County, Greenville, Royce City, Sulphur Springs, and all surrounding communities.