A lot may happen in your mouth in eight hours, especially if you are asleep and bacteria are accumulating on your teeth. However, do not let the fear of plaque, cavities, tartar, or gingivitis keep you from enjoying a decent night’s sleep. The dentist in Coppell uses various techniques to keep your teeth and gums healthy while you sleep. Learn how to optimize your nighttime oral health regimen to achieve the greatest possible oral health.
Table of Contents
Learn how to clean and floss your teeth properly.
Brushing and flossing are critical components of excellent dental hygiene. However, if you are not brushing and flossing your teeth and gums properly, you may be causing more harm than good. Floss between teeth and just beneath the gum line to eliminate any residual food particles or plaque. Brush your teeth in circular motions with a soft-bristled toothbrush and toothpaste with added fluoride, paying extra attention to hard-to-reach areas such as behind the teeth.
Before going to bed, floss your teeth.
The plaque will have built upon the teeth after a day of eating and drinking. Oral bacteria that feed on plaque and tooth enamel thrive in the dark, moist environment of your mouth while you sleep, and plaque will continue to accumulate. Although most dentists recommend flossing more than once a day if you only floss once a day, do it before bed to prevent plaque from building up even more during your sleep.
Brush your teeth with an electric toothbrush.
An electric toothbrush may be beneficial to some people to assist them in increasing the effectiveness of their overnight oral hygiene practice. Electric toothbrushes remove plaque more effectively than manual toothbrushes because they use intense brushing movements impossible to achieve with a manual toothbrush. Although using an electric toothbrush is not required, it may be enjoyable, and having something to look forward to can encourage you to spend the extra few minutes brushing your teeth.
Do not clench your teeth.
Many people are utterly unaware that they grind their teeth at sleep. If left unchecked, this habit might harm your tooth enamel. You may be suffering from bruxism, the medical word for teeth grinding, if you wake up with a sore jaw or feel stress in your jaw or neck. If you note that you grind your teeth at night, talk to your dentist about using a mouth guard to manage the problem while you sleep.
Wrapping it up
In addition to this nighttime oral care advice, visit your dentists for dental checkups twice a year to maintain good oral health. Cleanings with a dental professional are vital for various reasons, including keeping your teeth as clean as possible. Your teeth will be cleaned and polished after a dental cleaning that it will prevent further tartar buildup from building throughout the day, including while you sleep. If you have any decay or broken teeth, you can also consider tooth extraction by the Dentist in little falls to prevent it from spreading.