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by MP1116 on June 12th, 2004

MP1116

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Most mornings I wake up with a mucous-like film all over my teeth, despite rigorous oral hygiene habits before I go to bed. Why does this happen and how can I stop it?

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  • by Scottythinks on May 27th, 2005

    Scottythinks

    That's Plaque! Certain bacteria that are in your mouth all the time will cause this to form. If you leave plaque on your teeth it will harden and become Tartar. Tartar and plaque, when left un-checked, lead to tooth decay.
    Fortunately your body can deal with plaque. Throughout the day your mouth produces saliva which will break down a lot of the plaque and fight the bacteria causing it. That's why this is worst after sleeping. Saliva is not strong enough to do much to tartar and it may be that certain elements in your saliva combined with plaque have actually helped form the tartar, for this you'll need a professional cleaning to get rid of. As for the plaque, brushing loosens and will get rid of it for the most part and some sort of antiseptic mouthwash will kill most of those bacteria causing it. Some bacteria will always remain and will immediately begin producing plaque again. If you brush/mouthwash right before you go to bed you've cleaned off what was there and feel fresh (no slime) in the mouth, but you've also cleaned out some of your natural helpers in fighting these bacteria that cause plaque. Now that your mouth is "clean" you go to bed and the bacteria throw a party (a very slimy party). By the time you wake up you've been "Slimed" with plaque.
    One suggestion would be try brushing and/or mouth washing well before you go to bed (maybe half to a full hour before). This will give your body a chance to start producing some helpers (bouncers for the party) that will come in your saliva. Then you'll slow down those nasty bacteria with your own defense mechanisms. Another thing to do would be, if you wake at night use some plain water to rinse your mouth and the pre-mature plaque out (It is okay to swallow plaque, Yum). Ask your dentist- there may be specific pastes or mouthwash to help in this fight.
    You may also look at your diet. Certain foods can change the chemical components in your mouth. Often after dinner it's time for dessert (usually sweets or the like) you may try eating fruits or other oxidant rich foods even take your vitamins in the evening to help produce healthy saliva before you go to bed. (It's not just sugar left on teeth that can feed the plaque producing bacteria but natural chemicals produced as a by-product of eating those sweets.) Hope this'll be helpful.

    Comments

    • this is great info. Thanks a bunch!

      MP1116

      by MP1116 on December 15th, 2005

    • It may be the toothpaste you ate using I have heard many accounts of toothpastes being to strong and they will make gums erode and the slime is actually part of your gums.

      Jjkiwi28

      by Jjkiwi28 on January 1st, 2012

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