Wednesday, May 6, 2009

when to brush and floss

Everyone knows that we should brush and floss our teeth daily. What's not that clear to some is when is the most important time of day to do it. The answer is before bedtime because teeth and gums are most vulnerable to decay and disease during the night while we sleep. The reason is that when we are sleeping our salivary flow decreases significantly and saliva happens to be a natural defense against cavities and gum disease. Saliva neutralizes the acids that are produced by the bacteria in dental plaque, which would lead to cavities or decay. Any plaque that stays on various surfaces of your teeth overnight can do damage. So all teeth surfaces should ideally be brushed and flossed before bed.

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