While everyone forgets to brush their teeth sometimes, it’s still recommended to do so twice a day. Dental issues set in within 48 hours of the last time you brushed your teeth. You really don’t want to put off brushing for too long.
Continue reading to learn what happens when you don’t brush your teeth for a day, a week, or even a year.
One Day After Brushing
Dental issues can set in from not brushing within 48 hours. When plaque isn’t brushed away every day, it builds up. Plaque can then start to decalcify your enamel and the layer beneath that (dentin).
One Week After Brushing
After one week of not brushing your teeth, your tooth enamel becomes weaker. Plaque builds up and starts smelling bad, causing bad breath. Food particles are easily able to stick to your teeth and plaque starts to cause discoloration as it covers your teeth.
One Year After Brushing
It is difficult to pinpoint exactly when dental health problems might develop when you don’t brush your teeth. Several dental issues may begin within the first year that you stop brushing your teeth. You might notice cavities, the onset of gum disease, and even tooth loss.
Dental Related Health Issues
When it comes to the dental issues common amongst people who don’t brush their teeth properly or often enough, you probably think of the aforementioned cavities, gum disease, or loss of teeth. This is usually due to the increased amount of bacteria in the mouth that cause the eventual tooth decay.
However, dental decay has been linked to the onset of dementia in recent scientific studies. Other health problems that may be caused by poor dental hygiene might cause issues in the heart including atrial fibrillation or heart failure.
Taking care of your teeth will help you to avoid future dental surgeries.
Proper Dental Hygiene
Knowing how to brush your teeth properly can decrease the odds of dental health issues. The three essential keys to proper dental health care include:
- Brushing your teeth for two minutes two times a day
- Flossing your teeth at least once a day
- Visiting the dentist routinely for cleaning
Again, forgetting to brush your teeth now and then isn’t going to completely compromise your dental hygiene routine as long as you remember to get back into the routine as soon as possible. If you can’t bear flossing your teeth, there are some alternatives including water flossing and dental picks.
Extra Steps for Healthy Teeth
If you feel like your normal routine is lacking, there are additional steps that you can take to make sure your teeth are properly cared for. You can drink fluoride-dense water or use a fluoride dental rinse. Using an electric toothbrush can help you get to the harder-to-reach places in the back of the mouth. You can even talk to your dentist about dental sealants.
What Happens When You Don’t Brush Your Teeth?
Now that you know what happens when you don’t brush your teeth, you’ll be better prepared to make amends for your lack of routine dental care. Even if you haven’t brushed your teeth for a year (as unlikely as that might be), there might still be time to fight back against potential tooth decay and tooth loss.
Contact Synergy Dental Implant and Surgery Center in the West Valley for more information on preventative dental care.
