Off the top of my head, I can list some reasons why you need to brush your teeth at night.

Talk about bad breath when you wake up or when you’re snoring into your partner’s face, either way, that could be why you’re not getting those good morning kisses.

More than that, have you ever stopped to wonder why dentists encourage people to brush before bedtime?

Of course, you have, that’s why you’re reading this now unless you just accidentally came across it.

So why should you brush your teeth at night?

Be patient and keep reading, because in this article, not only will you be getting the answer to that, but you’ll also get to know what happens when you don’t brush at night and the dangers you could incur.

Benefits of Brushing Twice a Day

I know it can be “stressful” doubling up the number of times you brush daily, but what if I told you the benefits outweighs the stress?

Consider some of them:

• Reduces Bacteria Build-Up

Naturally, our mouths are habitats to some type of bacteria, and regardless of your oral hygiene, these bacteria tend to multiply over short periods, and this could result in many oral issues such as cavities, however, by brushing, you destroy these bacteria. Even better, by brushing twice daily, not only do you destroy them, but you also reduce their rate of action over 24 hours. 

• Prevents Bad Breath

Also, bad breath is a result of the build-up of bacteria, therefore by brushing twice daily, you eliminate bad breath so you’re not uncomfortable when talking face-to-face with anyone, especially very early in the morning.

• Protects Your Gum

Once bacteria build up in your teeth for a long time, it can cause complications such as receding gum, and unless quick actions are taken your gums become irritated and inflamed. To treat this you’ll need a professional dental cleaning, or in more severe cases, surgery.

However, simply taking some time out of your busy schedule to brush twice a day, can save you from the hassles of these complications.

• Acts in Place of Saliva at Night

Fun fact, apart from acting as a lubricant to enable speech, saliva also acts as an extra layer of defense that protects your teeth and gums from the harmful effect of bacteria.

However, saliva production decreases when you’re sleeping, but instead of letting bacteria use this to their advantage, since brushing can destroy bacteria, brushing before bedtime can decrease the actions of bacteria while you sleep even with less production of saliva. 

What Happens If You Don’t Brush Your Teeth at Night?

When you eat, especially foods that are rich in sugar, the bacteria in your mouth feed on the residues of your meals, by doing that they form a white film over your teeth, which over time hardens to form what’s known as tartar.

The longer your teeth are covered by tartar, the more prone you are to a dental problem, most times a cavity, and the only way to get rid of the tartar becomes through a professional dental procedure.

But whereas you brush twice daily, not only can you break through the tartar before it becomes too hard, but you also get rid of the residues of your meal, hence, giving the bacteria nothing to act on.

FAQ

Should You Brush Your Teeth Before or After Dinner?

You may decide to brush either before or after dinner, however, if you’re at risk of developing a cavity or a gum disease, it’s recommended that you brush both before and after dinner.

Is It More Important to Brush Your Teeth At Night Or In The Morning?

Both morning and nighttime brushing are equally important for your oral health.

Takeaway

The reasons why you should brush your teeth at night cannot be overemphasized, the earlier you begin to destroy and reduce the activities of those bacteria, the better.

Sources

Morning Brushing and Nighttime Brushing – Why Both are Critical to Oral Health www.dentistry4children.com

What Happens if You Fall Asleep Without Brushing Your Teeth? www.pronamel.us

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