You’re so exhausted at night that you reason that it won’t hurt to forego brushing your teeth this one time. right?
There are some reasons why you should remember to clean your teeth twice a day, but it’s not the end of the world if you forget to do it occasionally.
To learn more about what occurs if you don’t brush your teeth and how to improve your oral hygiene routine, keep reading.
Problems that could arise from not cleaning
Beyond toothaches and cavities, a number of health issues can enter your body through your teeth.
The following are possible issues that could affect your teeth, as well as the rest of your body, if you don’t brush your teeth.
Dental wellness
Plaque that is frequently hidden from your eyes is removed by brushing and general dental maintenance.
Cavities
Plaque, a sticky film that forms on the teeth, includes bacteria that can eat through the enamel’s protective layer and attack the more delicate layers below. Cavities result from this.
Cavities can cause dental infections and, in some cases, teeth loss if left untreated. The majority of this can be avoided if you clean your teeth and maintain good oral hygiene.
Gingivitis
In addition to weakening the gums and causing holes in the teeth, plaque can also worsen gum disease called gingivitis. The germs in plaque cause the gums to swell and become irritated. Gums swell up and are more apt to bleed.
Periodontitis
Gingivitis is an early stage of periodontitis, much like plaque is an early stage of cavities. This is a serious bone illness that affects the teeth-supporting bones. Periodontitis is therefore a major factor in teeth loss.
The researchers looked into a possible connection between inflammatory dental conditions like periodontitis and inflammation in the brain, which can lead to conditions like dementia.
While this study hinted at the possibility that poor dental hygiene causes dementia, there is no evidence to support this claim.
Heart illness
According to a study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, those who brushed their teeth at least three times per day were less prone to develop atrial fibrillation and heart failure.
According to the researchers, going to the dentist on a regular basis reduced the chance of experiencing heart-related complications.
The research also discovered that having a higher number of missing teeth was linked to an increased risk of heart-related conditions like atrial fibrillation.
Complications timeline
There aren’t many willing research subjects willing to forego brushing their teeth for a week or a year, but research can give us a fairly good idea of what happens if you don’t brush for certain periods of time.
- In one day: Within 48 hours, dental plaque can begin to decalcify dentin — the protective substance beneath the enamel — according to Shafer’s Textbook of Oral Pathology. This means you only have a limited amount of time to remove plaque before it begins to penetrate and possibly damage your teeth. Brushing your teeth more frequently ensures that plaque is properly removed from your teeth to protect them.
- In one week: Excess plaque, in addition to weakening tooth enamel, can have a rather unpleasant secondary effect: bad breath. The sticky food particles that you would usually wash away will continue to accumulate, and your teeth will have that “sweater”-like sensation due to plaque and food particles buildup.
- It’s difficult to anticipate what would happen if you didn’t brush your teeth for a year. Some of it is determined by your general health; if your body has a more active immune system, you may be able to combat some aspects of tooth decay. However, one year of accumulated tooth plaque would almost certainly result in cavities, gum disease, and possible tooth loss. If your dentist does not counsel you to skip brushing for one day, do not skip brushing for a year.
Adequate dental care
What makes good oral hygiene can be viewed in a variety of ways by different people. The American Dental Association has provided the following advice on how to correctly take care of your teeth every day:
Brush.
Use fluoride-containing mouthwash to brush your teeth twice a day to prevent cavities. To ensure you are removing as much plaque accumulation as possible, aim to brush for at least 2 minutes.
Floss.
At least once a day, floss. If you don’t like using floss, you can use dental picks, an interdental toothbrush, or water flossing as substitutes.
Go to the doctor.
A minimum of once every six months, visit the doctor. You might be advised by some dentists to visit more frequently. This is particularly true if you are susceptible to caries, have gum disease already, or are at risk for developing gum disease.
While these are the fundamentals of oral hygiene, there are some additional actions you can take to maintain the healthiest possible teeth and gums. These consist of:
Consumption of chlorinated water.
Fluoride is frequently added to municipal water supplies to improve oral health. Using the faucet to drink from can help to strengthen your teeth. For instance, consuming fluoridated water can reduce a child’s chance of tooth decay by 18 to 40%.
Staying away from cigarettes.
Your chances of developing periodontal disease and dental decay can rise if you smoke or use smokeless tobacco products.
Using a mouthwash with fluoride.
If you’ve lately had a lot of cavities or your dentist has warned you that you are more likely to get cavities, this may be helpful.
Fluoride on prescription.
If you have a high chance of developing cavities, your dentist may advise you to use a special fluoride rinse or gel at home.
Purchasing an electronic toothbrush as an upgrade.
Using an electronic toothbrush to clean your teeth could be beneficial.
Eating a balanced meal.
Dental decay risks can be decreased by eating lots of fresh produce and avoiding meals high in sugar.
Don’t worry if you sometimes neglect to brush your teeth. But keep in mind that maintaining good oral health can depend on you brushing your teeth at least twice a day, flossing once per day, and seeing your dentist at least twice a year. You should brush your teeth on a frequent basis for both your oral and general health.