eaten, food particles remain at the gums and between the teeth.
without brushing away the food particles, you are setting up your teeth for cavities and your gums for a painful illness. at the very least, you should rinse your mouth out with warm water after eating to remove as much food as possible.
some people will chew gum after eating to help remove leftover food and to freshen breath. this is a fine idea; however, you need to make sure the gum is sugar-free to not add to the possibility of cavities.
using a small toothbrush will help get in between teeth, where plaque and bacteria like to set up residence. a 