An expert recommends bedtime rituals for pearly white teeth!

Brushing in the morning alone is not important for your teeth! Here are some expert-recommended bedtime rituals for oral hygiene.
oral hygiene tips
Don't just dream about having sparkling white teeth, work towards it too! Image courtesy: Shutterstock
Dr Shraddha Mishra Updated: 19 Jul 2022, 15:35 pm IST
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Having that ‘pearly white’ effect on your teeth is a dream for many. But in reality, waking up with a subtle oral odour is something that happens to several people. They may also have particles stuck in their teeth from the night before! But do we ever wonder why these oral concerns are only limited to mornings? Well, the mouth is home to many bacteria, germs and diseases which not only raise oral concerns, but also give birth to many other issues. A lot can happen to your mouth in those eight hours of sleep. Bacteria, nasty plaques, tartars, cavities, or gingivitis can gather on your teeth overtime, causing severe oral issues. While the importance of brushing your teeth in the morning can’t be discounted, it is important that you follow some basic oral hygiene tips before you sleep.

Yes, while many people think brushing in the morning can protect their whole day from oral germs and bacteria, it isn’t a complete truth. During the daytime, our mouth produces saliva that constantly cleanses the germs that could hamper our mouth even after having our midday meals. But what about our after-dinner oral rituals? What about that bad mouth breath we experience every day after waking up. We think that our body is in absolute shut mode at night, but many things are active in our system. Thus, it is extremely important to have an oral hygiene bedtime routine.

white teeth
It’s your choice! Image Courtesy: Shutterstock

Oral hygiene tips for bedtime

Make sure to regularly floss, brush, and thoroughly clean your gums and tongue with a mouth wash. A thorough mouth cleaning at the end of the day will help you get rid of the leftover food particles in the mouth that can cause bacterial infections. Doing your part to assist your mouth combat bacteria & germs is the most effective way to reduce the overnight germ activity in the mouth and the bad morning breath it produces.

All activities around bedtime matter when it comes to oral hygiene, but brushing your teeth is the most significant among all. There is a strong link between inadequate oral hygiene and painful tooth decay. The scrubbing of teeth should last for at least a minute or so to deeply cleanse and reduce the bare chances of any bacterial birth in the mouth.

Brushing teeth regularly at night is the key to maintaining healthy oral healthy hygiene. It is equally important to choose the right brush and adopt proper brushing techniques. If done accurately, both in the morning and night, it ensures long-term dental health.

Also Read: Does brushing your teeth after every meal make them whiter?

Here are a few general oral hygiene tips and tricks:

* A toothbrush with soft bristles is a mindful choice.
* Ensure that the brush fits your mouth size. Go for a small toothbrush if you have a small mouth and vice versa.
* Few toothbrushes are designed with variations, such as twist and turn feature, tongue cleaners. Make sure you opt that suits your mouth the most.
* Inexpensive brushes often lose their bristles easily, make sure you go a little extra when it comes to buying brushes and mouth cleaning stuff.
* Choose a toothbrush that is convenient to use, be it electronic or manual.
* Always go for fluoridated toothpaste when it comes to dental health.
* Visit your dentist quarterly.
* Maintain a dental kit which includes a toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, dental floss/inter-dental brushes and a tongue cleaner.
* Avoid consumption of sugar-based products and sticky food before bedtime.

oral hygiene tips
Reduce sugar intake for the health of your teeth. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

While there is no way you should compromise on dental or oral health, many people tend to brush their teeth only once a day. Also, avoiding visits to the dentist periodically, is important. Maintaining healthy teeth and gums is a life-long commitment.

The earliest we learn oral hygiene habits, including regular brushing, flossing, and limiting sugar overdose, the easier it will be to avoid costly dental procedures and can gain those dreamy pearly white teeth!

 

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About the Author

Dr Shraddha Mishra Founder- Niyama CareDr Shraddha Mishra heads the dental department at Max Hospital Ghaziabad, (Vaishali), since over 5 years. She is a certified Esthetic Dentist and in endodontic with more than 16 years of total experience. ...Read More

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