Kids’ Bedtime Routines: Why Brushing Teeth Before Bed Matters
Bedtime routines…sounds simple but can end up being quite a complicated process with a toddler! From getting them out of the dinner table, into their pajamas, maybe reading a book (or two) and finally into the actual bed, brushing teeth before bed might be a step that tends to be skipped just for the sake of getting a good night’s sleep – for both parent and child. However, not brushing teeth before bed can be detrimental to a child’s dental health and can have serious consequences.
Teaching your children the importance of brushing their teeth before bed will help them create lifelong, healthy habits that they will carry on as they grow up. They will definitely require your guidance, discipline and support in order to do so. Continue reading to understand the importance of brushing teeth before bed and how to instill a solid bedtime routine!
Why should you brush your teeth before bed?
Take a minute to think about all the food you and your children consume during the day – from breakfast to lunch to dinner and all the snacks in between. Not to mention beverages like juices and milk. When it comes time for bedtime, a lot of those food particles and bacteria have settled into the teeth throughout the entire day. So brushing teeth before bed is very important in order to get rid of all that.
Brushing teeth before bed prevents...
Cavities or Tooth Decay
Not brushing your teeth before bed means that your teeth will be covered in bacteria all night. The bacteria digests the remaining food particles on your teeth and gums, which in turn, produces acid that damages tooth enamel and leads to cavities.
Also, saliva helps protect your teeth from those damaging acids during the day – however, when you’re asleep, your body produces less saliva that causes your mouth to become dry. A dry mouth increases your risk of cavities when not brushing your teeth before bed.
Bad Breath
Bad breath in the morning, or more commonly known as “morning breath” is actually the odors caused by the bacteria. Brushing teeth before bed helps to avoid bad morning breath.
Gingivitis
When food isn’t removed from the teeth, it turns into plaque. If plaque is left on the teeth for a while, it will harden into tartar. Tartar can only be removed by dental cleaning. Gums become swollen, red, inflamed and bleed easily when tartar is not removed.
How bad is not brushing teeth before bed?
Not brushing teeth before bed can lead to cavities, bad breath and gingivitis. Those are all harmful effects to your dental health and can lead to long-term problems.
What to do if you forgot to brush your teeth before bed
Make sure you brush even longer and thoroughly in the morning and do not skip brushing your teeth before bed that night! Along with brushing, make sure to floss and use mouthwash.
FAQs: The importance of brushing teeth before bed
Why is it important to brush teeth before going to bed?
It is important to brush teeth before bed in order to avoid cavities, bad breath and gingivitis! It will help preserve overall dental health.
It is not okay to skip brushing teeth at night due to the detrimental effects it has on dental health.
You should brush your teeth for at least 2 whole minutes before bed.
Your teeth will fall out! So don’t try to find out 😉
Brushing Teeth Before Bed Makes for a Good Bedtime Routine
Brushing teeth before bed is a vital component of a good bedtime routine. Food from the entire day will settle and build up in the teeth, causing bacteria to form. Brushing teeth before bed will help your child avoid cavities, tooth decay, bad breath and gingivitis. Not brushing teeth before bed will be detrimental to your child’s dental health and give harmful long term effects. Helping your child by reminding them and guiding them to brush their teeth at night will go a long way!