Before you lay down to sleep at night, what do you do for your dental health? Bedtime is a very vulnerable time for your mouth. While you sleep, your flow of saliva decreases because metabolism slows down. As a result, your mouth can become dry and inflamed, and bad bacteria multiply. Essentially, without the proper preventive dental care at night, you out yourself at higher risks for oral problems, such as cavities, gingivitis, and tooth loss. This is true for both adults and children.
Nighttime Dental Habits
Even though all you want to do is climb into bed when nighttime comes, and dental health is the last thing on your mind, you owe it to yourself to remember your oral hygiene. Here’s the basics of what not to forget:
Don’t forget to brush your teeth! Be sure to include your tongue and the roof of your mouth in your brushing. Bad bacteria lurks not just on your teeth enamel, but also on all soft tissues of your mouth.
Don’t forget to floss! Flossing works in conjunction with brushing. Sugars and starches can hide between your teeth and contribute to the formation of acids that break down tooth enamel.
Don’t forget you just brushed and flossed! If you get hungry for a snack, remember you just brushed and flossed; don’t completely eliminate all the work you just put into your oral health. Don’t worry; you can always brush again if you simply can’t wait until breakfast.
Don’t forget water! That lack of saliva at night might leave you thirsty. Water is the best choice to help with mouth dryness, and it also washes away oral acid and bacteria.
Is it time for your dental checkup? Do you have a toothache? Call Dental Impressions in Ankeny, Iowa at (515) 965-0230 to reserve an appointment with Dr. Amanda Foust.
