825 S Waukegan Rd, Lake Forest, IL 60045

7 Nighttime Dental Care Tips from a Dentist in Lake Forest

family brushing teethTo properly take care of your smile, you should be attending to your teeth at least twice a day. Usually, people wake up and brush their teeth to start of their day. On the same note, many people also close their day with their dental routine.

In this week’s blog post, we will be covering the best 7 tips to optimize your oral health before you go to bed. If you’re ready for a better smile, simply follow these helpful tips from your dentist in Lake Forest.

1.      Be Sure to Brush Your Teeth Before You Go to Bed.

As mentioned above, there are many patients that already follow this tip, but if you don’t you should start now. Brushing at night is important because it helps to remove leftover dental debris, bacteria, and food that have been lingering in your mouth throughout the day.

2.      Use the Right Technique to Brush Your Teeth.

Nothing is worse for your smile than half-way brushing—other than not brushing at all! When you start brushing your teeth, be sure to keep the toothbrush angled so that it’s scrubbing your teeth the whole time. Work to massage your teeth and gums, not scrape away dental debris abrasively, as this could wear away your precious tooth enamel.

3.      Convert to an Electric Toothbrush.

Although both manual and electric toothbrushes are more than capable of effectively cleaning the teeth, electric toothbrushes pose more benefits. Some of them have timers that will sound off when you’re completed your hygiene routine, guaranteeing that you’re brushing at least two minutes long. Others have pulsing sensations that can make your dental hygiene routine more enjoyable.

4.      Don’t Forget to Floss!

Flossing is just as important as brushing your teeth. IN fact, when you don’t floss, you could be missing at least 35% of your teeth’s surfaces! This could dramatically decline your oral health over time. Be sure to floss before you brush your teeth.

5.      Add a Helpful Mouthwash to Your Hygiene Routine.

Not only will mouthwash keep your mouth minty feeling and smelling good, but mouthwash can help to fight off bad dental bacteria. If you want to add a mouthwash that will really help your smile, try to find an antimicrobial mouthwash that prevents tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease.

6.      Pay Attention to Your Teeth Grinding.

Many adults grind their teeth due to stress or misalignment issues within their smile. The constant grinding can cause problems within the smile, so it’s best to address it as soon as you notice any symptoms. In fact, your Lake Forest dentist can create a customized nightguard for you to wear and protect your teeth from the unnecessary wear and tear.

7.      Don’t Skip Out on Your Dental Appointments.

There are a million and one reasons why you might miss your dental appointment, but one of the ways that you can make sure to attend yours is to get a good night’s rest the day before. This way, the following day, you won’t feel rushed, exhausted, and likely to cancel at the last minute.

After all, your dentist is here to help you keep your smile in top shape with excellent preventive care. Learn more about how you can optimize your oral health by contacting your local office.


About Our Office

Here at Campbell and Schmidt Cosmetic and Family Dentistry, we know how important it is to keep your smile strong. One of the best ways to do that is with excellent preventive care at home and from our office. Learn more about our preventive services and how we can help you by giving us a quick call!

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