What happens when you at least once skip brushing your teeth
What happens when you don't brush your teeth (photo: Freepik)
Dental care is important at any age. If you rarely brush your teeth or don't brush them at all, sooner or later they will deteriorate. It's worth knowing what happens to your teeth when you don't brush them, reports The Sun.
Max time to leave teeth unbrushed
Dentist Rhona Eskander said that the maximum time one should leave their teeth unbrushed is 24 hours.
She noted that after that point, plaque build-up becomes significant, increasing the risk of dental problems.
Everyone forgets to brush their teeth from time to time, perhaps by allowing themselves to rest.
The doctor added that during sleep the production of saliva decreases, thanks to which bacteria multiply faster.
"Brushing before bedtime helps remove food particles and bacteria that can lead to overnight tooth decay," said Dr Eskander.
What problems may arise
Plaque builds up within hours
It is worth knowing that dental plaque accumulates within a few hours. Therefore, cleaning shouldn't be neglected.
According to Eskander, dental plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that can lead to tooth decay and gum disease.
“Within a day or so, without brushing, you may notice a fuzzy feeling on your teeth, indicating the buildup of plaque," the doctor added.
Over time, tartar can build - hardened dental plaque that can only be removed by a professional dentist.
In addition to brushing, flossing can help protect every part of your teeth from plaque.
Ideally, you should floss once a day. It removes food particles and plaque between the teeth that cannot be reached during brushing.
Bad breath
Without mint-fresh toothpaste, your breath can get really unpleasant.
To find out if you have bad breath, the dentist advises you to lick the inside of your wrist, let it dry, and then smell it.
The doctor adds that maintaining proper oral hygiene can help prevent bad breath.
Teeth color may change
Don't skip brushing because stains can form in just a day.
Dr. Eskhander says that not brushing your teeth leads to a buildup of stains from food, drink, and tobacco, which causes teeth to become discolored.
"Generally, immediate staining may occur with foods and drinks like red wine, coffee, tea, berries, and dark sodas," the doctor noted.
Significant staining will become visible after a few days, so regular brushing can help minimize these stains.
Gum disease
If you regularly skip brushing your teeth, you will develop dental disease.
Symptoms of gum disease can include swollen, red, or sore gums, gums that bleed when brushing or flossing, and receding gums, which make teeth look longer.
If you experience any of these symptoms, it's important to see your dentist right away, as early intervention can prevent gum disease from progressing.
We also wrote about products that destroy tooth enamel the most.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
