Things That Could Happen If You Don't Brush Your Teeth

You've probably been told that brushing your teeth is really important to keep your teeth healthy and your smile looking good. However, there's a lot more to it than just healthy teeth. Brushing your teeth is important to the overall health of your mouth and perhaps other parts of your body. Here are four things that could happen if you don't brush your teeth regularly.

Unsightly Stains and Plaque

Not brushing your teeth will allow food and plaque to severely stain your teeth. Over time, these substances can get very thick and unsightly, especially if you eat a lot of sugary and starchy food. This plaque will eventually eat away at the enamel of your teeth. You will also likely have bad breath.

Bad Cavities

By allowing food to settle on your teeth, you're encouraging decay-causing bacteria to grow. Soon, you will have a cavity. These cavities can break away the enamel on your teeth and cause tooth loss. Eventually, the cavities can get so bad and so deep that painful, life-threatening abscesses will form.

Gum Problems

If you don't brush and remove the plaque, then it will also begin to affect the gums and cause them to swell and pull away from your teeth. Even if you manage to keep your actual teeth healthy with no cavities, if the gums get large pockets, it could mean affect your jawbone and cause your teeth to loosen and fall out. The whole process can be very long and painful.

Heart Problems

There have been recent studies that indicate a correlation between tooth plaque and infected gums with heart disease. One of the theories is that plaque or bacteria on the teeth can somehow affect the amount of plaque or bacteria in the arteries. Another theory says that gum inflammation and the body's immune system are a contributing factor. However, more research needs to be done to be sure of exactly what the correlation is between the two.

Brushing your teeth not only makes your teeth look better and feel good, but it can also help protect you against future problems and reduce tooth loss. If you eat a lot of simple sugars, it's especially important to brush your teeth as these substances encourage more bacteria to grow. It is generally recommended that you brush at least twice a day, though if you already have chronic dental problems, then you may wish to brush after every meal. If you haven't been brushing your teeth, or you need a dental checkup and cleaning, then contact a dentist for preventative dental care services.