Tracy Dentist - 5 Reasons to Brush Before Bed - Smiles by Design in Livermore

While there are numerous reasons to brush your teeth twice a day, here’s a quick rundown of the Top 5 reasons to brush your teeth before you hit the hay.

5. Bacteria Builds Up
Over the course of a day, lots of things go into your mouth. Most of it is the food and beverages you consume as part of your day and we all know about that. But what many people don’t consider is all the other times you put things into your mouth. Some may chew on the ends of pens while others might hold a paper or binder clip between their teeth as they group papers together at the office. In fact, many of us use our teeth as tools, even though we know we shouldn’t. Opening a bag of chips with the help of your teeth is a major no-no, but one most of us commit on a fairly regular basis. All of these minor things may not sound like much, but when you consider that pen may have been used by someone with a cold, or the fact that those paperclips are definitely not sterile, this means more and more bacteria has found its way into your mouth. So, at the end of the day, take the time to clear it all out.

4. Avoid Plaque Build-up
Plaque is a yellow film which builds up between teeth and along the gum line. But plaque needs time to do its damage and by brushing at the end of the day you’re cutting its chances in half. Brushing away food and bacterial debris leaves plaque out in the cold and out of your mouth.

3. Because A Sleeping Mouth is a Dry Mouth
As you sleep at night your mouth naturally produces much less saliva than it does during the day. Saliva acts as a natural barrier against tooth decay as it works to dislodge food and other debris from between your teeth as you’re speaking, drinking or simply working. However, at night, saliva production is almost entirely shut down which is why so many people wake up thirsty in the morning. Since your mouth will not be generating saliva to help with keeping your teeth cleaner, a late night brushing will help to protect your teeth from decay and cavity formation.

2. Protecting Your Gums
When you brush your teeth, you’re doing more than simply keeping your teeth clean and bright. You’re also removing debris and bacteria from along your gum line. If you remove this protection by not brushing your teeth before bed, that same bacteria that will encourage tooth decay will also encourage gum disease. Gum disease is a very serious problem when it comes to oral care and, left unchecked, it can lead to periodontal disease, abscessed teeth and your teeth being less anchored into place and actually shifting in your mouth. Further down the road it can lead to total tooth loss.

1. Wake Up Fresher
If you’ve ever gone to bed without brushing your teeth, then you know how rotten your mouth can feel the next morning. Everything you ate, drank or came into contact with the day before has now had a full 24 hours to fester, spread and grow. Brushing right before bed is a great way to help mitigate that feeling of Morning Mouth. Take the time before bed and wake up the next day without feeling like your tongue is covered in sawdust .. or worse.

source: http://www.teethcenter.com/5-reasons-to-brush-before-bed/
by Teeth Center Staff

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