How To Avoid Damaging Your Teeth In Your Sleep
There are lots of things that people do that put their teeth at risk while they're awake, such as smoking cigarettes or eating and drinking sweet foods and beverages. What some people don't know is that they can actually harm their teeth in their sleep, too. If dental health is important to you, then you probably want to do what you can to avoid damaging your teeth in your sleep. These tips can help.
Brush Your Teeth Every Night
You probably already know that you should brush your teeth at night before you go to bed. You just might not realize how important it actually is. If you go to sleep without brushing your teeth, you have to worry about bacteria growing and spreading throughout your mouth. You also have to worry about plaque building up and your mouth becoming inflamed.
Even if you're really tired late at night, it's important to make it a priority to brush your teeth before you go to bed. You shouldn't skip flossing either since it helps get rid of food particles and helps with preventing bacteria.
Take Action to Avoid Grinding Your Teeth
A lot of people grind their teeth at night. If this is something that you do, you should not ignore the problem. Grinding your teeth can cause serious damage. For example, it can lead to cracked and broken teeth, shortened teeth, sensitivity in your teeth, damage to your jaw, and more.
There are a few things that you can do to help you avoid grinding your teeth. If this is a minor problem, you might be able to stop grinding your teeth by taking a few simple steps. For example, taking a warm bath to relax, seeing a doctor about your anxiety, and avoiding alcohol before bed can all help. If you still grind your teeth after doing these things, then you can talk to your dentist about fitting you for a night guard. Night guards are designed specifically to help prevent people from grinding their teeth.
Sip Water Before Going to Bed
Many people suffer from dry mouth at night. Not only is this uncomfortable, but it is actually bad for your teeth. If you suffer from dry mouth at night on a regular basis, it can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. You don't want to drink so much water at night that it will cause you to wake up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom, but keeping a bottle of water by your bed and taking a few sips before going to sleep can help.
For more information, contact your local family dentist.