Nighttime is perhaps the most important time to brush your teeth. You produce less saliva when your mouth is closed than you do during the day, which means leftover food isn’t broken down as easily, says Neusha Najafi, DDS, a dentist and the founder of DoctorSaliva, an educational platform that aims to help people understand the connection between oral and whole-body health. “Any remaining food or debris in the mouth at night creates a more acidic environment that wears on teeth and can accelerate cavities,” she says.
And skipping nighttime tooth care has health consequences. “Oral health impacts systemic health, including your brain, joints, heart, and even the health of a pregnancy,” says Kami Hoss, DDS, a San Diego–based orthodontist and a cofounder of the dental practice the Super Dentists.
“We see people on TikTok or Instagram with a 27-step skin-care routine, yet we don’t give the mouth the same love as the face,” says Dr. Najafi.
The good news is you can make simple fixes to better protect your teeth.
