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Nighttime Tooth Care

Posted on November 13, 2009 by Dr. White

Guidelines for Top Notch Nighttime Oral Care

Flossing

Extreme significance should be placed on nighttime oral care, however the majority of the population are unaware of this. When we sleep we don’t swallow anything and saliva formation is slowed down drastically, nevertheless overnight is a long time period for a mouth to remain inactive.

The inactivity leads to growth of oral bacteria, and therefore, preserving nighttime oral hygiene is a solution for minimizing the development and cultivation of this unwanted bacteria.

Basic nighttime oral hygiene practices include:

1. brushing
2. flossing
3. tongue scraping
4. mouthwash

As dentists say:

it is recommended to complete your brushing first, flossing second, and any other oral hygiene steps can follow. This is because when you brush your teeth initially, it makes flossing much easier and quicker. These steps will ensure that no plaque or food particles are residing in your mouth throughout the night.

Brush Regularly before Going to Bed

Needless to say, brushing your teeth assists in protecting your teeth from the occurrence of harmful bacteria and tooth decay. However, the significant factor lies in how well you brush your teeth.

Remember, to use a soft hackled toothbrush accompanied with a small amount of toothpaste. Moreover, your brush should be held at a 45 degree angle in the direction of the gums.

As per American Dental Association recommendations, firstly you should brush the outer teeth, advance towards the inner teeth, and finally work on the surface for maximum brushing efficiently.

Some people prefer brushing as soon as they finish meals, while others prefer to brush just before they go to bed. It is ultimately your preference when you brush your teeth, but the more food particles you can remove from your mouth more often, the healthier your oral hygiene will be. Sadly, many people are doubtful about dental diseases.

It is suggested by dentists, for people to brush their teeth just before sleeping, but for those susceptible to cavities and gum disease, they should brush their teeth after eating meals and before sleeping.

Never Miss Flossing

Generally, the spines of toothbrushes are unable to reach the thin spaces between the teeth, which results in the development of plaque. Flossing eliminates food particles from those thin gaps, which is why flossing has recently become so important.

Though flossing during daytime immensely helps to protect your teeth from periodontal diseases, we should definitely floss before sleeping for the removal of bacteria-forming food particles.

Initially, flossing helps in the removal of soft plaque, but if you wait too long you will need a dentist to scrape your teeth and gums when the plaque turns into a tartar.

Essential Use of Mouthwash

Usage of mouthwash assists in keeping your mouth fresh, while also preventing the growth of plaque. Mouthwash helps to create a cavity-free atmosphere in the mouth.

Applying a mouthwash also safeguards the gums from harmful gingivitis and kills bacteria that would normally fester on the tongue.

Tongue Scraping

Some people find it helpful to scrape their tongue every night. This can be done with a specially designed tongue scraper that you can buy at any store or pharmacy.

Tongue scraping helps to remove stubborn bacteria from the surface of the tongue and is instrumental in preventing foul smelling morning breath.

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