Should you have a toothbrush at the office? The answer is an emphatic yes, and not just because you don't want your coworkers to see bits of lettuce on your teeth. It turns out that neglecting your oral health during working hours can add up to serious tooth damage over the years. Brushing at the office is necessary because you:

Spend a Lot of Time in the Office

How many hours do you work each week? While those with "regular" jobs are generally perceived to have 40-hour weeks, the reality is that the figure is around 47 hours per week. This is the average, and many people work longer than that. If you don't live close to your workplace, then you also need to factor in the commute time.

Remember that the bacteria that feed on food remains on your teeth affect your oral health.  Now figure this: the longer you let food stay on your teeth, the more you are giving the bacteria time to act on them. It makes sense, then, that you should think about brushing your teeth at the workplace.

Eat Snacks at Work

Even if you don't work for a company that offers free snacks, you are likely to take a snack or two before going home. This may be in addition to the "official" lunch. Do you want bits of starch and sugar from that nibble of chocolate or cup of sugared coffee to stay on your teeth for the rest of the day? The only way to prevent that is to brush in the workplace.

May Not Go Home Immediately After Work

Many workers do not head straight home after work. For example, you may decide to take advantage of your local joint's happy hour and take a few drinks for the road, hit the gym or even just chat with friends. Therefore, it might actually be very late before you get home. If you left home in the morning, then you can imagine just how many hours it will be before you can access your toothbrush and floss.

It's clear that you can benefit from taking care of your oral hygiene at the workplace. Besides, it's not that difficult. All you need to do is to keep a toothbrush at work and use it immediately after lunch. Don't forget to dry the brush and store it in a travel container to keep it free of bacteria. For more tips, consult a dentist like Ann L Ortega DDS.