With the busy-ness of life, it can be easy for people to forget to do things, or skip them altogether. It may be tempting to not brush your teeth at night when you are exhausted. However, you should seriously consider what happens if you skip brushing your teeth at night. Here are just a couple of results you should be aware of.
Remnants of Food Stay in Your Mouth
Even if you were to rinse your mouth out, without actually brushing, there will still be small bits of food stuck in and between your teeth. Bacteria will continue to grow and feed on the food particles while you are sound asleep.
Plaque Build-up
When bacteria feeds on the food remaining in your mouth, the result is a film of plaque on your teeth, which is bad for your teeth and gums and will detract from their appearance.
Plaque can lead to more serious problems, too, such as cavities and gum disease, which can have long-term consequences on your oral health. Additionally, when plaque hardens – which it does if it’s not removed soon enough – it becomes difficult or even impossible for you to remove yourself just by brushing and flossing. A dental cleaning is required to scrape it off. Granted, you should have routine dental cleanings at least twice a year anyways, but you don’t want bad habits to contribute to unnecessary plaque or health problems.
Practical Things You Can Do
Be Consistent with Nightly Brushing
If necessary, set an alarm on your phone. Make sure the time is after you will be done eating for the night but before it gets too late and you just want to hop into bed.
Keep Your Dental Hygiene Products Organized
You don’t want to be wandering around the house looking for your toothbrush, toothpaste, or floss when it’s time to go to bed. If you tend to walk around while you’re brushing your teeth, be careful not to set the toothpaste or toothbrush down in a random spot; make sure you put them back where you can find them.
Brushing your teeth at night can protect your mouth, and prevent many dental problems. At North Tonawanda Family Dentistry, we care about you and your smile, and we pride ourselves on providing affordable and gentle dental care. Please call us at 716-692-2273 to make an appointment, so that we can help you keep your smile healthy day and night.
We make sure each and every one of our clients’ needs and concerns are addressed in a caring and thoughtful manner. We want your experience to be as enjoyable and efficient as possible here at North Tonawanda Family Dentistry in North Tonawanda, NY.