9521 US Hwy 290 W,
Suite 103
Austin, TX 78737
Austin, TX 78737
After a long day, you may consider skipping your nightly brushing routine and heading straight to bed instead. However, brushing your teeth every morning and every night is crucial to maintaining good oral health and protecting your teeth against decay, cavities, and other oral health problems. No matter how tired you may be, trust your dentist in Austin and take two minutes to clean your pearly whites.
The Problem With Acid
Our mouths naturally produce acid constantly throughout the day and night. But thankfully, we have a built-in defense against acid — saliva. Saliva neutralizes these acids and rinses them away before they have a chance to wear down the protective layer of tooth enamel. Saliva production is more active during the day and is working overtime to destroy acid. But at night, saliva production slows down and can’t protect teeth against acid as well. However, brushing your teeth at night with fluoride toothpaste can create a layer of protection against these acids.
Food Debris
Ideally, we eat at least three meals a day, and sometimes we snack in between meals. That means there are a lot of chances for food debris to get left behind at the end of the day. If they’re left alone, bacteria will feed on the food, which increases the chance of decay. Brushing your teeth at night can help remove food particles, stave off bacteria, and protect your teeth as you sleep.
Protection Against Plaque
Plaque is the yellowish sticky stuff that adheres to the teeth. Regularly brushing and flossing can remove plaque and limit its ability to build up over time. When plaque isn’t removed, it can lead to tooth decay, cavities, and even gum disease. In fact, plaque build up is often the main cause of dental problems. Removing it each night can keep you from needing to see your dentist in Austin for treatment.
Morning or Night: Which is More Important?
Even though your dentist in Austin will always recommend that you brush your teeth twice a day, once in the morning and once a night, if you absolutely need to choose between the two, brushing at night is actually slightly more beneficial. Sticking to a regular brushing habit at bedtime removes food, acid, and bacteria that have built up throughout the day, protecting your teeth from cavities.
Before you lay your head down on your pillow to sleep, make sure you take some time to brush your teeth properly. Choose a soft-bristled toothbrush, angle it at 45-degrees, and gently scrub each section of your mouth in tiny circular motions. It’s also important that you floss in between each and every tooth to remove any plaque, bacteria, or food debris that may be hiding.
Besides brushing your teeth every night (and ideally every morning!), make sure you maintain regular appointments with your dentist in Austin. These checkups can remove any plaque that may have hardened into tartar and protect your teeth from oral health problems.
“Always a pleasure visiting this team of amazing people. Not only do they do an excellent job of taking care of me, they remember details of my life that I would not expect them to. That’s a really great personal touch. This is not your average dentists office. This is a 5 Star dentists office.”
“I called in the morning, said I had pain and needed to see someone. They worked me in that afternoon and I left with a solution. Now that is service!”
“Always excellent, pain-free, state-of-the-art care at Broberg Family Dental.”
“Wonderful family dentistry. Everyone is so kind and helpful. I would recommend them to anyone. My youngest no longer has anxiety going to the dentist. Five stars all the way!”