Dental Health Matters: Brush Your Teeth At These Times, Here’s Why
Did you know that caring for your dental health is just as important as taking care of your skin, aesthetic-wise? In fact, it’s even more integral because our dental health is closely linked to our overall well-being.
An article from the Mayo Clinic says the mouth serves as an entryway to the body through breathing. This means, maintaining good oral hygiene can help control germs and prevent infections.
Dental Health Matters: Brush Your Teeth At These Times, Here’s Why
One of the simplest ways to maintain good oral health is by flossing, brushing, and gargling regularly.
Flossing – When you floss, be sure to scrape off the plaque between your teeth. It’s recommended to floss at least twice a day, ideally before brushing. This removes most of the plaque and food particles from your mouth.
Gargling – It’s advisable to gargle before brushing to clear away most of the food debris. However, avoid doing this after brushing, as it can wash away the fluoride that protects your teeth. Instead, simply spit out the excess toothpaste after brushing your teeth.
With all these pre-brush preparations, did you know that there are specific times when it’s best to brush your teeth?
Brush your teeth after waking up.
After waking up, it’s advisable to brush your teeth right away—about 30 minutes before a meal. Why is this important? During sleep, bacteria in our mouths tend to multiply, leading to morning breath or a mossy taste when we wake up.
Brushing your teeth immediately after waking up helps fight this buildup of bacteria and coats your teeth with a protective barrier from the toothpaste. Additionally, it helps remove the acids that naturally accumulate in your mouth overnight.
Brush your teeth after a meal.
Similarly, it’s recommended to brush your teeth 30 minutes after a meal to remove food particles that have accumulated. Certain foods, like rice, and sugary beverages can lead to tooth decay if left on your teeth for too long. This is why dentists advise waiting 30 minutes after eating before brushing your teeth.
Colgate also supports this, noting that brushing after a meal provides protection for your teeth before bacteria can attack your enamel. Toothpaste containing fluoride is particularly effective in ridding off tooth decay, as well as those with triclosan, which helps prevent plaque and gingivitis.
Lastly, it’s also advisable to brush your teeth before sleeping.
After a long day, it’s important to brush and clean your teeth before drifting off to sleep. After consuming food throughout the day, it’s essential to take a nightly reset to fully remove any food particles that have remained between your teeth.
These lingering particles can attract bacteria, leading to cavities. Meadows Family Dentistry advises brushing your teeth before bedtime because the fluoride left in your mouth after brushing helps maintain saliva levels. This, in turn, prevents damage caused by bacteria that accumulate in your mouth overnight.
Taking care of your dental health is one of the key factors in improving your overall well-being, including your self-confidence when it comes to showing off your healthy teeth. Your smile is one of your best assets that leaves a lasting impression. That’s why it’s important to take care of your teeth—not just for aesthetic reasons, but also to maintain your health. After all, who wants to walk around with a lingering toothache? No one! By following these simple things, you can take care of your oral health, smile freely, and enjoy your favorite foods with ease. But of course, never forget to floss and brush!
