What Happens in Our Mouth Through a Day

You might not pay much attention to what goes on in your mouth throughout the day. Even still, it’s a place of busy activity from morning until night. The more you know about what goes on in there, the better equipped you’ll be for keeping your smile sparklingly fresh all day long.

Your Mouth in the Morning

Like most people, your day probably begins with an oral problem right off the bat: morning breath. Overnight, your body produces less saliva than it does during the day. The dry conditions allow bacteria to flourish. They’re responsible for the foul taste and odor. The sooner you brush and rinse your teeth, the sooner you can banish your morning breath to the curb.

Let's Have a Breakfast?

Of course, next up on your list maybe breakfast. Whether you’re into savory or sweet morning meals, bits of food are sure to stick to your teeth. Sugars and starches interact with the bacteria that are naturally present in your mouth. They form a substance known as plaque. Fortunately, brushing and flossing shortly after breakfast can stop plaque production in its tracks.

Do You Like Morning Coffee?

If you’re a coffee or tea drinker, you have another reason to clean up after breakfast. Those beverages are known for staining teeth because of the tannins they contain. To reduce the effect, you may want to use a whitening mouthwash at this point in the morning.

Snacks and Drinks Throughout the Afternoon

Breakfast isn’t the only meal of the day, of course. Just like your morning toast and jam, lunch or a midday snack can leave traces of food behind in your mouth. Also, sugary drinks, such as afternoon soda, can deposit a layer of sticky sweetness that makes your mouth a breeding ground for bacteria.

As a result, you could end up with a decent amount of plaque by dinnertime. Unfortunately, plaque is far from harmless. Left alone, it grows hard. Hardened plaque is known as tartar. It’s unattractive, and it can also damage your tooth enamel.

Additionally, the air you breathe could be another source of daily tooth damage. Air pollutants may discolor or erode your pearly whites.

To combat plaque and pollution issues, it’s smart to clean your teeth several times throughout the day. You may want to keep a brush and paste in your desk drawer or backpack.

As Your Day Winds Down

Do you enjoy a glass of wine to finish out your day? If so, keep your oral health in mind as you sip. Wine is acidic, which can be damaging to your enamel. Also, red wine is notorious for staining teeth.

Here’s how to enjoy your evening drink more safely. First, brush your teeth before you start sipping to remove any traces of food. While drinking, snack on some cheese or crunchy vegetables to clean and protect your teeth. Finally, at the end of your glass, brush one more time.

Overnight Oral Health

As you know, your mouth is likely to dry out overnight. While there’s not much to do about that, you can still reduce how much bacterial activity goes on in your mouth while you sleep. How? Always thoroughly brush with a toothpaste that lowers the production of tartar, floss and gargle mouthwash before bed! The cleaner your mouth is, the less food residue there will be for bacteria to feast on.

Besides, tending to your teeth right before bed means you’ll be fresh and clean for a goodnight kiss. After a smooch, you can turn in with the peace of mind that comes from knowing you’ve cared well for your mouth all day long.