Read the original article on Best Life. Brushing your teeth, along with flossing and using mouthwash, is key to fighting chronic bad breath, or halitosis. Bacteria builds up in your mouth throughout the day and while you sleep, so if you are only breaking up that bacteria once every 24 hours, your breath is going to be far from fresh, the ADA says. And for more on how your oral hygiene habits affect your overall health, check out 13 Warning Signs Your Teeth Are Trying to Send You.ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb Brushing your teeth only once a day, especially if that’s in the morning, increases your chances of gum disease—and possibly even tooth loss later in life. “If you had a candy bar or even some raisins before you went to bed, that sticky sugar is like a gift to the bacteria in your teeth, " Keith Arbeitman, DDS, of Arbeitman & Shein Dentistry in New York City, told Men’s Health. “And you’re just letting that bacteria feast on your teeth all night.” For additional ways to ensure you are cleaning your chompers properly, This Is How Often You Should Really Change Your Toothbrush. While gum disease is a possible result of being a once-a-day brusher, cavities are a certainty, Arbeitman says. Again, this is especially true if you are only brushing in the morning. And for more helpful health information delivered to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter. The occasional cavity is not uncommon, and for the most part, getting one is a fairly innocuous event. But fillings need to be replaced and each time that happens, a little more of the tooth gets worn away. This increases your chances of needing to have the tooth capped, not to mention additional trips to the dentist. “It adds up to pretty expensive stuff that could generally be prevented,” Arbeitman says. And for tips on keeping bacteria off your brush when you’re not using it, check out This Is How You’re Storing Your Toothbrush in the Worst Way Possible.
