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This is what happens when you don’t brush your teeth at night

Well, almost all of you brush your teeth in the morning because of the fear of bad breath. But, have you been skipping it at night?
A woman brushing teeth with a whitening toothpaste
Don’t be a lazy bum when it comes to brushing your teeth at night. Image Courtesy: Shutterstock
Shifa Khan Published: 3 Jul 2022, 10:21 pm IST
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Brushing your teeth once you wake up goes like clockwork, but many people turn sluggish when it comes to cleaning your pearly whites at night. Well peeps, a healthy mouth accredits the nutrition of the body. From deteriorating teeth and gum diseases to severe heart risks, oral health should never be ignored. The best way to ward off teeth problems would be to brush regularly and twice a day. Yes, you got to brush your teeth before bed too.

That’s not us, but what Dr Namrata Rupani of Capture Life Dental Care, says. Health Shots spoke to Dr Rupani who listed several reasons why one must pay attention to their oral health before dozing off.

“A variety of health and dental problems are a consequence of not being on guard with your oral care and hygiene. It is mandatory to keep your teeth clean and maintain good oral hygiene at all times.” says Dr Rupani.

toothbrush
Brush your teeth properly before hitting the bed. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

Here’s why you need to brush your teeth at night:

We consume a lot of variety of food throughout the day. When we are ready to roll in bed, a lot of food particles and bacteria remain in between the teeth. Bacteria digest the food remnants from the mouth, and this leads to acid production. This causes a plaque build-up in your tooth which damages tooth enamel and then leads to cavities.

Dr Rupani says, “Saliva helps dilute the acids. However, your body produces less saliva when you sleep and your mouth becomes dry. This increases the risk of cavities when going to bed without brushing. Brushing your teeth before going to bed helps remove the food particles stuck in your teeth and quashes the bacteria. It also helps remove plaque.”

Bacteria also induce foul odours. The bad morning breath is a result of this. Brushing your teeth before going to bed helps deal with the bad breath. So, brush your teeth at night if you wish to wake up feeling fresh.

bad breath under face mask
Bacteria build-up is the most common cause of bad breath. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

What happens if we don’t brush our teeth often?

“If plaque is left for a long time on the teeth, it hardens into tartar. Tartar leads to tooth cavities and sometimes causes swollen, red, inflamed, and bleeding gums. Tartar can also lead to tooth decay to a point where one would have to get it extracted,” Dr Rupani told Health Shots.

Plaque, bacteria, and tartar are detrimental to not only your teeth but also your health. Brushing at night might get boring or take time to form into a habit but it is highly recommended and beneficial. The habit of brushing at night also entitles you to smile broadly with confidence and a good tooth-care routine will eventually make you feel good about yourself.

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So ladies, brush those pearls, floss your teeth, and visit your dentist at regular intervals to maintain your million dollar smile. Brushing in the morning to start the day with a fresh breath is what we prioritize. However, the most crucial time to brush is at night before we sleep.

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About the Author

An aesthete and a skincare junkie, Shifa spends most of her time cooking delish food while wearing a sheet mask. At HealthShots, she creates high-octane content that can leave you all a little intrigued! ...Read More

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