Could Your Bedtime Oral Care Routine Be Better?
Two minutes for teeth cleaning and flossing makes all the difference.
Here at Abbey Road Dental, we provide a wide range of professional treatments for our patients, together with lots of advice and guidance on what to do in between visits.
Understandably, what you do at home is just as important as what happens during your time with us, which is why one of our main priorities is ensuring that you understand the importance of your oral hygiene regime. Brushing regularly and properly and following the best lifestyle habits will help you avoid cavities or issues that will require treatment from us at our NW8 clinic.
Below we take a quick look at your bedtime routine and why it is important:
Your Bedtime Oral Hygiene Routine
You do not eat or drink when you are asleep, but the bacteria in your mouth are still very much awake and active during this time. This is one of the reasons your ‘before bed’ oral care is so very important. In fact, it plays a core part in helping you avoid dental issues like gum disease or plaque. Don’t worry though, you don’t need to worry about your teeth being nibbled on by bacteria while you sleep, as long as you follow these tips:
Brush Thoroughly Before Bed
After you have finished eating and drinking anything for the night it is important you brush your teeth thoroughly. Look to brush for around 2 minutes, starting the brushing somewhere different every night so you are spreading out which areas get the most attention. Brush all areas of the mouth including the tongue and floss too; this will remove any remaining bits of food stuck in between the teeth.
Brush Properly
Brushing properly is important as it ensures you are cleaning the teeth correctly. If you don’t brush the teeth properly, then you might leave plaque in place which is a precursor to decay and other nasties such as gum disease. Brush in a circular motion and ask us for advice on the best technique to use during your next visit, we will be more than happy to give you a demonstration. We can also advise on the best toothpaste and toothbrush for you to use. Some people need a firmer toothbrush, others need a softer bristled brush – we can let you know which one will suit you best.
Spit Don’t Rinse
You should spit away excess toothpaste, but don’t rinse it away as this will remove the parts of the toothpaste that will be doing good things to your teeth and gums while you are asleep. You may want to use a mouthwash but it is worth asking your Abbey Road dentist about the best brands to suit your individual needs.
Visit Abbey Road Dental Regularly To Maintain Healthy Teeth
Looking after your teeth properly between visits is important, but so is coming in to see us regularly. We can check everything is as it should be, and if it isn’t we can treat it or suggest ways for you to alter your oral hygiene regime to get everything back on track. We recommend visiting us about every 6 months for a checkup. Please call us on 02076241603 and we can get you booked in right away.