Daytime care alone cannot make for tooth and gum health and strength as well as smile beauty. You also have to take care of your oral cavity at night. Oral hygiene at night is of special importance because the anaerobic bacteria in the oral cavity increase when we sleep. Therefore, we should prevent their growth.
Oral hygiene at night includes three major steps: tooth brushing, flossing, and rinsing the mouth with mouthwash.
Tooth brushing
Tooth brushing prevents the formation of dental plaques and tooth decay. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and fluoride toothpaste to brush your teeth. This is the correct way to brush your teeth: aim the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle towards the gum line, move the toothbrush up and down gently on the inner surface of the teeth, and then repeat it for the surface and back of the teeth.
The best time for tooth brushing, i.e. immediately after dinner, before going to bed, or both, depends on your vulnerability to dental and oral diseases. Those who are less vulnerable to dental cavities or periodontal disease, can wait and brush their teeth before going to bed. Otherwise, you should brush your teeth immediately after dinner. Sometimes, it is better to repeat it before going to bed.
Flossing
Flossing helps you remove the dental plaques that are difficult to remove with a toothbrush. Flossing the teeth at least once a day can prevent periodontal disease. To this end, get 30-40 cm of an appropriate floss and hold it firmly between your thumbs and index fingers; gently slide the floss in a “C-shape” up and down between your teeth, working it beneath the gum line on both sides.
Flossing is as important as tooth brushing because it allows you to remove dental plaques when they are still soft. When dental plaques become firm, you need to visit a dentist to remove them using special equipment.
Rinsing the mouth with mouthwash
Rinsing your mouth with an appropriate mouthwash makes your mouth smell pleasant and prevents the formation of dental plaques, tooth decay, and gingivitis. Use mouthwash to freshen the breath and clean areas of the oral cavity that are not cleaned with a toothbrush and floss. It is recommended to use mouthwash after brushing and flossing. If you have sensitive teeth, use mouthwashes for sensitive teeth. Before using the mouthwash, read the instructions on the box to do this if it needs to be diluted with water. Patients with fixed orthodontics should not use chlorhexidine mouthwash. Because chlorhexidine causes staining of orthodontic patients’ teeth.