Have you ever wondered what would happen if you abandoned your toothbrush, and just said, “I’m not brushing today!” While we hope that you brush twice a day to keep your teeth and gums at their best, many individuals don’t. Whether because they forgot, didn’t have time, or simply haven’t been in the practice of brushing twice a day, not brushing can happen. But what happens if you don’t brush your teeth? What happens if you don’t brush your teeth for three days, a year, or even ten years?
Most people in the dental community will urge anyone not to find out what happens if you don’t brush your teeth. The reason being is the damage will vary from person to person, and in some cases, it can have severe consequences. Does the idea of cavities and gum disease sound like something you’d like to avoid? Brushing and flossing are your first line of defense against these common dental issues. Without great at-home care, you can expect that at some point, gingivitis and tooth decay to become present.
While missing a single day of the bushing isn’t the worst thing that could happen. It is essential to maintain good oral care habits daily. There was once a time when brushing wasn’t as easy as it is today, and people struggled with finding ways to brush plaque and bacteria from their teeth. For example, in ancient times, people would use sticks or twigs to remove debris and scrape their teeth. It wasn’t until the Chinese discovered hair from the pigs back to be an ideal bristle when attached to a bone, to clean their teeth.
Today, we have so many choices for toothbrushes; it is hard to believe that our ancestors ever had a problem with daily brushing. Not only do we have a wide range of soft, medium, and firm bristles to choose from, they are also available at a variety of price points, making it easier than ever for just about anyone to avoid primary oral health care at home. Let’s take a look at what could happen if a person decided to throw away the toothbrush and stop their daily oral health care routines.
What happens if you don’t brush your teeth for 3 days
For the first couple of days, it might not seem like that big of a deal that you have missed your daily routine with brushing. Or perhaps to some, it will feel incredibly weird. However, at three days post not brushing, you’ll notice that your teeth are starting to feel incredibly filmy. There aren’t any rough spots on the teeth; they have begun to be filled in by plaque and food debris. The filmy, sticky feeling is the plaque caused by the buildup of bacteria. Brushing not only removes the plaque but also prevents it from forming. After three days, bacteria have had an ample opportunity to overproduce can cause significant plaque.
What happens if you don’t brush your teeth for a week
At a week, noticeable changes will take place. The production of plaque increases and an individual will undoubtedly feel the slipperiness. You will also see the buildup, if you look in the mirror, that is forming at the gum line and on the teeth. After a week of no brushing, a smell might also develop, which can be off-putting. Even in about a week, your dentist will notice the presence of gum disease, called gingivitis.
What happens if you don’t brush your teeth for a month
At about a month, serious changes are taking shape. The most notable problem a person will have is the presence of gum disease. With the build-up of plaque at the gum line and below the gum line, an individual may notice some swelling and reddening. The effects of not brushing for a month can be reversed by visiting your dentist for a cleaning. He or she may recommend that a deep cleaning be necessary if the tartar build-up is extensive.
What happens if you don’t brush your teeth for a year
At about a year, a person is doing severe damage to the health of their teeth and gums by not brushing every day. However, this may not always be the case. Some patients might not develop any cavities after a year of no brushing but have horrible gum disease while some patients may have the reverse. It depends on the person and their health. But most research suggests that if you don’t brush your teeth for a year, you are putting yourself at considerable risk for cavities, advanced tooth decay, and periodontal disease.
What happens if you don’t brush your teeth for ten years
Not brushing your teeth for ten years will put you at serious risk for health complications. Our oral health is crucial to fighting off certain types of bacteria and keeping us healthy. When the health of our teeth and gums suffer, things like pneumonia can be more common. Other notable problems that can occur from not brushing your teeth include coronary heart disease, dementia, diabetes, and complications during pregnancy. Research suggests that an individual can reduce their chances of pneumonia by 40% just with excellent oral health habits and care.
What happens if you don’t brush your teeth with braces
It can be challenging to brush your teeth with braces. Most dentists will discuss this with their patients before starting treatment. It can also make a wearer not want to clean regularly. However, it is essential that you brush when you have braces, because your oral health throughout orthodontic care is essential. Orthodontics, like braces, are adjusting the position of your teeth; with the buildup of tartar and plaque, cavities and tooth decay may occur.
You Could Develop Other Health Problems
It won’t take long for bacteria left in your mouth to travel throughout the body, causing an array of other health issues. Some common diseases linked to poor oral hygiene include the following:
- Diabetes: Gum infections can cause your blood sugar to rise, making diabetes much more difficult to control. In fact, it’s common for those suffering from diabetes to also suffer from periodontitis.
- Heart Disease: A study found that those who brushed their teeth at least three times per day were less likely to experience atrial fibrillation and heart failure. Going to the dentist regularly also reduced the likelihood that a person would experience heart-related complications, according to the researchers. The study also found that a greater number of missing teeth were associated with an increased risk for heart-related conditions, such as atrial fibrillation.
- Pneumonia: You can inhale airborne bacteria from your mouth, causing respiratory infections.
- Oral cancer: Some studies have suggested that there could be a link between severe periodontitis and HPV, which is the cause of many oral cancers. While the link associates smoking with both gum disease and oral cancer, research has suggested that poor oral health could also be a factor even if smoking had already been accounted for. Other studies also indicated that periodontitis might promote the growth of cells in the mouth, leading to oral cancer.
- Gum disease: One of the most apparent health issues caused by a lack of tooth brushing is gum disease. Many people also have a misconception that it’s normal for gums to bleed while brushing. It is not. This could be a sign that you have gum disease or are on the way to developing it. Many Americans have gum disease or gingivitis, and if left untreated, it can weaken teeth and bones in the mouth. In severe cases, it is known as periodontal disease.
- Tooth loss: Lack of proper oral care can cause tooth loss. Individuals not brushing their teeth regularly will not remove plaque and bacteria that cause gum disease; this, in turn, can lead to cavities and loss of teeth.
- Bad breath: One of the most obvious signs of poor oral health is bad breath. The bacteria that build up in your mouth from lingering food particles will start to fester and smell. It sounds gross, and it is! If you brush and floss every day, bad breath alongside more serious oral health conditions like gum disease and tooth loss can be avoided.
- Pregnancy issues: It is said that around 60 to 75% of pregnant women experience gingivitis, so it’s important that teeth are looked after during this period. It is also suggested that expectant mothers with oral health issues are more likely to have children that develop cavities.
- Diabetes: Diabetes can contribute to reduced oral health and is a risk factor for developing periodontitis. It is now also suggested that periodontitis could be a factor in causing insulin resistance. Some experts have said that people who can reduce the severity of their oral disease may be able to gain better control of their diabetes.
- Mouth and stomach ulcers: Tooth decay and poor oral health can be the cause of ulcers forming under the gum line. A bacteria called Helicobacter pylori can hide in small reservoirs under the gums and is often associated with stomach ulcers when it flares up. The pockets that form under the gums if someone has periodontitis can also cause various bacteria to form, which could be the cause of other health issues and infections.
Conclusion
As you can see, what happens if you don’t brush your teeth can carry tremendous amounts of problems not only for your oral health but your total health. It is equally vital that along with routine care at home that you see your dentist every six months for cleaning and exams. Brushing every day removes bacteria that cause plaque, tartar, and, eventually, the formation of cavities. Allowing cavities to progress to advanced tooth decay could lead to tooth loss. Is that something you’re willing to risk from not brushing your teeth?
Why Do We Brush Twice a Day?