Brush your teeth when you wake up and again before going to bed–that’s the standard recommendation from dentists. But while you may strive to stick to this routine, there’s always a possibility that you could fall asleep before taking care of oral hygiene tasks. Below are a few reasons this is damaging to your smile. 

Why It’s Important to Brush Before Bed

1. Bacteria Is Active Even When You’re Asleep

Brushing and flossing are some of the most effective ways to remove oral bacteria and lingering food particles. When bacteria are left on your teeth, they can feed on food particles and produce acids as waste. This acid attacks teeth, slowly wearing away at enamel until cavities form. If the cavities are severe enough, you will need to get fillings from a dentist. If avoiding dental hygiene becomes routine, this damage could increase your risk for dental infections, gum disease, and plaque formation that can only be removed with a teeth cleaning at the dentist.  

2. Lack of Saliva Increases Cavity Risk

While oral bacteria can wear away at teeth any hour of the day, your saliva does a good job of rinsing away these organisms to keep your mouth clean. However, when you sleep, your saliva production decreases and may result in dry mouth. When this happens, bacteria have more opportunity to thrive. 

3. Immune Response Can Trigger Inflammation

The acids produced by oral bacteria aren’t just damaging to teeth–they can also trigger your body’s immune response when they aggravate gum tissue. When your mouth senses a problem, it leads to inflammation that causes the gums to recede–a problem that may spur gum disease.  

While brushing twice a day can help defend your mouth against the dangers of oral bacteria, protecting your smile still requires professional care. Turn to the experienced specialists at Pure Dental Care NY in Midtown Manhattan. Offering everything from routine teeth cleanings to advanced dental implant services, this friendly team can provide all the general and cosmetic dentistry services you need to keep your smile looking and feeling the way it should. Visit them online to learn more or call (212) 256-1292 to schedule an appointment with their dentists.