Midnight Snacks and Your Oral Health

Here at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania, we realize that some things taste better after midnight. But there is a correlation between midnight snacks and your oral health that isn’t good for your smile. Eating late at night, when your saliva production slows down and your mouth is the driest, accentuates the adverse effects on your teeth (plaque buildup, tooth decay, and even tooth loss) when consuming foods and drinks. This is especially true in the case of sugary foods and starchy foods. Yes, we know that ice cream, pizza, and cake are some of the most popular midnight snacks.

 

There’s a reason that we were instructed early on to brush our teeth before going to bed. Without brushing before bed, food left on teeth — and its bacteria and plaque growth — wreak havoc on your teeth. To minimize the damage to your teeth from eating a midnight snack, be sure to brush your teeth afterwards. Better yet, try to avoid eating late at night by:

• Distracting yourself.  Read a book or magazine.
• Eating breakfast every day. People who eat breakfast are less likely to snack at night.
• Increasing your protein and fiber during dinner. This helps to make you feel full.

Is It Time For a New Toothbrush?

You most likely know that brushing your teeth regularly will help you keep a healthy smile. But if you don’t take proper care of your toothbrush as well, some of those efforts eventually will go by the wayside. That’s because toothbrushes, over time, become infested with harmful bacteria.

 

Many individuals only replace their toothbrush once or twice a year. We believe at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania that that is far too long. We recommend that adults use a new toothbrush every three months in order to maintain and improve oral health. You should replace your toothbrush sooner than three months, however, if the toothbrush bristles are frayed. In addition, if you’ve been sick, such as having the flu, replace your toothbrush immediately when you’re better.

 

Some new toothbrushes contain bristles that change color to let you know that it’s time for a new toothbrush. Keep in mind, children’s toothbrushes should be replaced more frequently than three months -- at least every two months.