eli5: Why do your teeth feel so gross when you first wake up even though the last thing you did before sleeping was brush your teeth?

Question

I assume it has something to do with the bacteria in your mouth thriving and replicating from the warm, moist, undisturbed environment…. But you’re not eating at night to help form plaque so I don’t get it.

In: 1710

Answer 1

I used to wake up with a bit of that gross mouth, but then I started picking and flossing with xylitol toothpaste before brushing. Get that stuff between your teeth and into whatever pockets you might have. Brush afterwards and don’t rinse. You will wake up with a clean mouth.