People need their mouths to get the right nourishment and live a happy and healthy life. While the teeth are one of the most resilient parts of the body, they can succumb to decay through neglect. To keep your mouth in tip-top shape, you need to brush your teeth regularly.
Brushing teeth impacts a person’s overall well-being — not just your teeth. Not brushing regularly can have disastrous effects on your oral and overall health. Find out how neglecting to brush your teeth can impact your life.
What Happens If You Don’t Brush for a Day?
If you missed brushing your teeth for a day, there will not be significant effects on your health. It will only feel a little less smooth when you run your tongue over your pearly whites in the first few hours. This is plaque.
Plaque is the sticky film of bacteria that forms on the teeth. These thrive on the sugars from food and drinks. It is recommended that aside from brushing, people should also floss at least once a day to effectively remove debris.
What Happens If You Don’t Brush for a Week?
Brushing your teeth benefits start to wane more visibly after a week. The enamel or the first layer of the tooth will start to break down. Plaque that has not been removed will also start to smell, causing the onset of halitosis, the medical condition more commonly referred to as bad breath. The teeth will also look more stained and will be harder to clean.
Around this time, you will have an increased risk of developing cavities. However, the teeth will not be the only ones to suffer; around this time, plaque will start setting in the gums and cause irritation.
What Happens If You Don’t Brush for a Month?
A month without oral care is torment for your gums. By this time you may have already developed gingivitis. This is a mild form of gum disease and the primary reason for redness, swelling, irritation, and bleeding. Studies show that 7 out of 10 Canadians will experience a form of gum disease in their lifetime.
As it progresses, you may no longer be able to bite on crunchy food items without seeing blood. This is also a contributor to the bad odour coming out of the mouth. It may take several rounds of dental cleaning in an Etobicoke clinic before the halitosis is cured.
What Happens If You Don’t Brush for a Year?
So a year has passed and you have never asked, “When is the best time to brush my teeth?”
In truth, no one can truly predict what would happen to you 12 months after deciding to neglect oral health care routines. It depends primarily on your overall health. A person who has an active immune system can fight off a majority of the negative effects. However, not brushing your teeth has health effects that cannot be shrugged off. These are some of the effects your dental hygienist in Etobicoke should warn you about:
- Halitosis
The bacterial build-up in the mouth will start to smell. The dentist can help stop the foul odour by professionally cleaning your teeth every 6 months. You should also be brushing and flossing to get rid of food debris.
- Cavities
Plaque is made up of bacteria that cause cavities. These bacteria can break the enamel, the protective layer of the tooth. Without intervention from your dentist, you can suffer from an abscess and in the worst case, tooth loss.
A dental abscess is a collection of pus inside the teeth or gums. It is caused by an infection due to a large number of bacteria on the tooth’s soft pulp. It is often an indication of gum infection, periapical (tooth root) infection or periodontal (bone and connective tissue) infection.
- Severe gum disease
One of the most common health issues that a lack of tooth brushing can cause is gum disease. It is not normal for the gum to look red and puffy. It should also not be receding or bleeding. If left untreated, the teeth and bones weaken, which can lead to periodontal infection.
- Tooth loss
Individuals with weak immune systems can be severely affected by bacterial infection. Without hygienic interventions, the gum and bones will deteriorate, causing the tooth to loosen and eventually, fall off.
- Dementia
Experts are now looking at the possible link between bad oral health practices and the development of dementia. Some research found a link between dental decay or inflammatory dental conditions and inflammation in the brain.
- Heart Disease
The European Journal of Preventive Cardiology published a study that found that people who brushed their teeth at least thrice a day were less likely to experience heart failure and atrial fibrillation. It was found that people who had more missing teeth had an increased risk for heart-related conditions.
Brushing your teeth has an effect on your life. Waiting too long to care for your mouth will have detrimental and irreversible effects. The reason why you are taught to religiously follow oral hygiene practices is to keep you from suffering from the potential diseases that may develop due to bad dental health. It will also help if you find an affordable dentist in Etobicoke for a thorough cleaning called oral prophylaxis to get rid of stubborn plaque at least twice a year.
Have you been brushing and flossing regularly? Call Dr. Mark Rhody Dentistry now at (416) 231-4281 to jumpstart your journey to healthier teeth.