Learn What Happens When You Don’t Brush Your Teeth

When you have poor dental care, such as not brushing your teeth regularly, you risk your current and future health. Poor dental care can lead to a lowered immune system, extra tooth-related conditions, and all-around embarrassment every time you smile or speak. Here is a look at what can happen when you do not brush your teeth:

Brushing Teeth & Dental Care in Lake Stevens, WA

Exacerbate Current Conditions

Bacteria are constantly building up in your mouth, on your gums, and on your teeth. This occurs whether you brush your teeth or not, except that brushing your teeth regularly removes bacteria before it does any damage. If you do not brush your teeth, then the bacteria continue to form and worse. These high levels of bacteria can travel throughout your body, causing damage to your immune system. If you already have a condition, such as diabetes, then poor dental care will only exacerbate your condition or illness.

Contract Gum Disease

If you do not take care of your teeth—with regular brushing, dental examinations, and teeth cleanings—you will likely develop the beginning stages of gum disease. Early gum disease, also called gingivitis, can eventually lead to periodontitis and advanced periodontitis. If either of the last stages occurs, gum disease is no longer reversible. Pockets of pus and infection will develop and irreparably damage the connective tissues of your gums, which may result in eventual tooth loss.

Develop Tooth Decay

In addition to gum disease, you may develop tooth decay if you do not brush your teeth or floss every day. The bacteria that is constantly forming on your teeth’s surfaces will eat at the enamel until a cavity is formed. If the decay worsens, then infections can develop in the tooth root and surrounding gums.

Increase Heart Disease Risk

There have been theories that link poor dental care with an increase in heart disease. With poor dental care, the bacteria in your mouth form plaque on the surface of your tooth. This may increase the plaque that develops in your arteries, eventually causing heart disease.