Maintaining good oral hygiene is a crucial aspect of our daily routine. Brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing, and using mouthwash can help keep your teeth and gums healthy.
However, some people may not be aware of the consequences of not brushing their teeth regularly.
If you don’t brush your teeth, you expose yourself to a range of oral health problems. These problems can range from minor issues such as bad breath to severe conditions such as gum disease and tooth loss.
In this article, we will take a closer look at what happens if you don’t brush your teeth.
Bad Breath
One of the most common consequences of not brushing your teeth is bad breath. This occurs when bacteria accumulate on your teeth and gums, leading to a foul odor.
The bacteria break down food particles and release sulfur compounds, which cause bad breath. If left untreated, bad breath can become a chronic problem and affect your confidence and social life.
Plaque and Tartar Buildup
When you don’t brush your teeth, plaque begins to accumulate on your teeth. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that forms on the surface of your teeth.
If not removed, it can harden into tartar, which can lead to tooth decay and gum disease.
Tooth Decay
Tooth decay occurs when bacteria in your mouth produce acids that attack the enamel of your teeth.
Over time, this can lead to cavities or holes in your teeth. If left untreated, tooth decay can progress and lead to infection, tooth loss, and more severe health problems.
Gum Disease
Gum disease, also known as periodontitis, is a severe condition that affects the gums and bone supporting your teeth.
It occurs when plaque and tartar buildup irritate the gums, leading to inflammation and infection.
The symptoms of gum disease include bleeding gums, gum recession, loose teeth, and even tooth loss. In severe cases, gum disease can also increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Possible link to dementia
Several studies have found that people with dementia have a much higher chance of getting cavities in their teeth.
A study review that was published in Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports says that there is some evidence to support the idea that dental decay may make a person more likely to get dementia. Some study seems to back up this idea.
The researchers looked into whether there might be a link between inflammatory tooth conditions like periodontitis and inflammation in the brain, which can be a factor in diseases like dementia.
Even though this study brought up the idea that not taking care of your teeth properly could cause dementia, there is no proof that the two are linked.
Heart disease
A study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology found that people who brushed their teeth at least three times a day were less likely to get atrial fibrillation or heart failure.
According to the results of the study, a person’s chances of having heart problems were also lower if they went to the doctor regularly.
The study found that people with more lost teeth were more likely to get heart diseases like atrial fibrillation.
Tooth Loss
If gum disease isn’t addressed, it can cause health problems all over the body, which is scary in and of itself. But to make things even worse, a person with gum disease can also lose their teeth.
When a person loses their normal, adult teeth, it can cause a lot of other problems with their oral and overall health. It is possible for a jaw bone to break down, which makes it hard to chew and hurts a person’s confidence.
Dentures, dental implants, and dentures that are held in place by implants are all ways to replace lost teeth. These choices are available, which is good.
Cavities
Plaque is a sticky film that forms on your teeth. It is made up of bacteria that can get through your teeth’s protective enamel and attack the more sensitive layers below. Tooth calculus is another name for plaque. This is what leads to tooth cavity.
If you don’t take care of cavities, they can lead to tooth diseases, which can cause you to lose teeth.
All of these problems can be avoided to a large extent if you brush your teeth twice a day and take care of your mouth in other ways.
Gingivitis
Plaque can do more than just give you cavities. It can also cause gingivitis, a form of gum disease, and make it worse.
The bacteria in plaque cause inflammation and irritation of the gums. The gums will get bigger and be more likely to bleed.
Periodontitis
Gingivitis is a sign of periodontitis, just like plaque is a sign of cavities. This is a serious illness of the bone that is affecting the bones that hold your teeth up. Because of this, gingivitis is one of the main reasons people lose their teeth.
Coronary artery disease
People with gum disease are more likely to get coronary artery disease, which is a type of heart disease.
Dr. Stinton says, “Researchers think it’s caused by bacteria in your mouth that let inflammatory markers into your bloodstream.” This is what led to the disease.
Because your circulation is inflamed, you are more likely to get blood clots and blockages, which can eventually lead to a heart attack.
Pneumonia
If you don’t brush your teeth often enough and have a lot of germs in your mouth, you could breathe in the microorganisms that are there. They can cause health problems like asthma in that area.
Studies, says Dr. Stinton, have shown that improving a patient’s dental health can cut the number of hospital-acquired pneumonia cases by as much as 40%.
Pregnancy complications
If a woman’s oral health isn’t good while she’s pregnant, it can make it more likely that she will give birth early, that her baby will be smaller at birth, and that her child will be more likely to get cavities as an adult.
Who is most likely to break the law? Inflammation and bacteria that originate in the mouth and then travel through the pregnant woman’s circulation to the placenta can cause placentitis.
Inadequate oral hygiene can lead to inflammation throughout the body, which in turn can cause premature labor to begin.
Conclusion
Overall, it’s crucial to brush your teeth twice a day and maintain good oral hygiene to prevent these oral health problems.
By taking care of your teeth, you can ensure that you have healthy teeth and gums for years to come.
So, if you haven’t been brushing your teeth regularly, it’s time to start now and prevent the consequences of poor oral hygiene.