5 Dental Problems That Can Occur If You Don't Brush Your Teeth
Posted on: 21 April 2022
Brushing your teeth morning and night is the simplest means of keeping your oral health in good condition. A clean mouth means there is less bad bacteria around to cause problems in your mouth. When bacteria are allowed to flourish in your mouth, various dental problems may soon follow.
Here are some of the worst dental conditions that can arise if you don't brush your teeth.
1. Gum disease
Oral bacteria like streptococcus mutans are very bad for your gums. The acidic waste products they excrete can damage your gums. At first, you may only see some brief periods of inflammation on your gum tissue. That is called gingivitis. However, if the acids irritate your gums further, your gum tissue will begin to recede. At that point, the bad bacteria will invade the areas under the receded gums.
The worst form of gum disease is called periodontitis. This form of gum disease occurs when bacteria have infiltrated the gum pockets around your teeth. If not treated, periodontitis will damage your gums and the ligaments that support your teeth.
2. Enamel demineralization
The same acidic byproduct produced by bacteria that damages your gum tissue also damages the surface of your teeth. If bacteria can thrive on your tooth surfaces, the acids they produce will gradually demineralize your tooth enamel, an issue that will lead to tooth decay.
3. Tooth stains
Many tooth stains can be removed and avoided with daily brushing. Foods contain staining molecules like tannins that stick to your teeth and stain them. Brushing your teeth often and also after meals will ensure that you can remove all but the most stubborn of stains.
4. Tartar buildup
Tartar is a hard material that usually shows up along the gum line and on the backs of your lower teeth. Tartar is a combination of dead bacteria, their acidic byproducts, and minerals from your saliva, like calcium. Tartar takes time to form, so if you brush your teeth regularly, you can stop its formation. This is important since tartar harms your teeth and gums, and it is unsightly.
5. Bad breath
The more bad bacteria you have in your mouth, the worse your breath will smell. Since bad bacteria give off a sulfur-like odor, the less of them you have in your mouth, the better. Brushing reduces bacteria in your mouth.
To avoid suffering from any of these dental problems, brush your teeth morning and night. You can also brush your teeth during the day. But remember to wait about 20-30 minutes before you brush your teeth after a meal. If you brush your teeth too soon after a meal, your saliva won't have time to break down the acids in your food, and brushing with an acidic mouth can damage tooth enamel.
For more information, reach out to a family dentist.
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