What Happens When You Don’t Brush Your Teeth?

It is quite common for people to feel tired at bedtime and not have enough energy to brush their teeth before sleeping. If you skip brushing your teeth every once in a while, you are likely not going to deteriorate your oral health. However, people who don’t brush their teeth, and it becomes a habit, will eventually face a lot of dental health problems.

People who don’t brush their teeth will experience the following problems:

Plaque Build-up

Plaque is a sticky film found on our teeth. It is normal to have plaque but its excessive build-up is not. This is why we brush twice a day and floss once daily. This basic dental care prevents plaque from building up.

Dental Cavities

Once the plaque has started to build upon the teeth, the bacteria in it will begin to penetrate the enamel. When the enamel starts to erode, it can lead to cavities. If these cavities are not filled, you are likely to develop dental infections and may even lose the affected tooth.

Gum Disease

Plaque not only affects your teeth but the gums too. There are different forms of gum disease. For example, gingivitis, in which the bacteria inflame and irritate the gums. They become puffy and start to bleed. As the gum disease progresses, it can lead to periodontitis, which is an infection of the bones that support your teeth.

Other Diseases

When you do not follow proper dental care, you can damage more than just your teeth and gums. For example, there is some research showing that dental decay can increase the risk of developing dementia. Similarly, studies have also shown a link between heart diseases and dental health.

A Timeline of Damage due to Unbrushed Teeth

Here is what happens when you stop brushing your teeth:

• The first day you don’t brush, the plaque can start to decalcify the dentin (layer below the enamel) within 48 hours. Therefore, you do not have much time before starting to brush again
• If you have gone a week with unbrushed teeth, then the excess plaque can cause bad breath, along with the weakening of the enamel
• If you have kept unbrushed teeth for a year, it is not simple to predict what will happen. It also depends on what is the status of your overall health. If your immune system is more active than the average person’s, then your body may fight off some elements of dental decay. Typically, plaque built over a year can cause cavities, gum disease, and tooth loss

How Long Can You Go Without Brushing Your Teeth?

It is not a good question. You should not make a habit of ‘not brushing’.  However, the results of not brushing can vary from person to person. For example, a person with a comparatively healthier diet or good genes may be able to avoid serious dental health problems for a longer time with unbrushed teeth. In other cases, people could develop gum disease but no cavities.

Try to keep your ‘brushing twice a day’ dental care routine regular, so that you can prevent serious health problems. To book a dental appointment, call or visit Fine Dentistry.