Well, we certainly can't control how often our patients actually brush and floss their teeth; however, we can definitely tell them that skipping these tasks (even for a day or two) can have some pretty disgusting results!
Brushing and flossing isn't just a way to keep your breath fresh - it's the cornerstone of at-home dental hygeine and the easiest and most effective way to combat tooth decay. But it has to be done regularly. Here's what happens when you skip a brushing and flossing session:
1. Bacteria builds up.
Bacteria can build up in your mouth slowly throughout the day, so if you skip the brushing/flossing at night, that bacteria that's been breeding in your mouth all day is now starting to form plaque. Plaque is the sticky substance found on uncleaned teeth. Not only does it look gross, it can lead to gum disease and cavities.
"In the middle of the day, [run your tongue] across your teeth right around the gum line. You'll find something sticky or fuzzy," Deepinder "Ruchi" Sahota, DDS, a dentist and spokesperson for the ADA told the Huffington Post. "That's plaque."
Pretty gross, right?
2. Plaque turns to tartar.
The longer that plaque sits on your teeth, the more likely it is to become tartar, which is a hard, yellowish material that can cause inflammation and bleeding in the gums. If left untreated too long tartar can cause tooth loss.
3. Cavities can form.
According to Sahota, there isn't a precise timeline for when plaque becomes a serious risk; however, "...you can start the process of a cavity by not brushing once, absolutely." This is especially true for people who frequently forget to brush.
Keep in mind that those people who try to "cheat" by doing just a quick 20-second brushing are just as vulnerable to the three problems listed above. Most dental professionals recommend that each brushing session should last at least two minutes and should cover all teeth - not just the surfaces we see when you smile.
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