Lots of people brush their teeth just because they think it makes their breath fresher. They hope other people won’t turn their faces away while engaged in a conversation. That’s one good reason without a doubt, but that’s not only reason for keeping your teeth clean. What is far worse is if you are going to sleep without cleaning your teeth.
What could happen if you are going to sleep without cleaning your teeth
If you allow bacteria to thrive over night in your mouth a sticky layer called plaque forms on the teeth. This means bacteria are beginning to take a hold on the outer protective enamel that provides the strength to your teeth. It’s the strength in the enamel that enables you to cut and break down food particles making them easy to swallow and digest.
However, this strength is lost when the bacteria’s acidic waste products start to dissolve the enamel. This can begin to happen at night while you are asleep as no chewing is taking place.
Chewing encourages saliva production which itself helps to remove the damaging products sitting on the surface of your teeth. If you become too complacent about regular brushing, tartar can start to develop. This is a yellow, hard material that if left in place can initiate bleeding and inflammation in the gums. This, in the longer term, could lead to tooth loss.
What brushing does for your teeth
If you were to chew gum all day and use a toothpick to remove stubborn food particles embedded between your teeth, you may never need to brush your teeth. This is because the chewing of gum activity produces saliva that washes your mouth and helps to remove damaging bacteria.
As it is, most people don’t chew gum constantly and don’t carry a fistful of toothpicks around in their pocket or handbag! The only way teeth get cleaned is by brushing and flossing twice a day. This definitely helps to keep your teeth free of damaging bacteria.
How to avoid tooth loss
Don’t think you can get away with a quick brush now and then as that won’t work. You must brush your teeth thoroughly before going to bed with a soft-bristled toothbrush and a blob of toothpaste. The brushing should last at least two minutes and all areas of the teeth should be cleaned. The next brush should be in the morning. It is a good idea to finish up at least once a day with a full flossing session as this helps to clear the debris from in between your teeth.
See your dentist twice a year
There is no better substitute to keeping your teeth healthy than making twice yearly visits to your dentist. This is when the build up of tartar or plaque that you have missed can be removed before any serious damage can be inflicted on your teeth. If you aren’t the best at keeping your teeth clean, your dentist can help you.
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