Taking care of our teeth is something that’s drummed into us from an early age. (In fact, it’s just about the only good habit that parents and authority figures insist on).
And that’s mainly because of the devastation that people’s teeth caused in the past. You could actually die from a rotting tooth, something that today seems unthinkable.
With that said, there are still people who fail to look after their teeth and then wind up experiencing all the negative side effects. This post is a timeline of some of the effects that you can expect to see if you stop brushing your teeth and start eating sugary foods ad libitum.
Your Breathe Will Stink
The first effect you’ll notice is bad breath. If you eat a standard western diet with plenty of sugar and refined flour, unfavourable bacteria will begin to multiply and they can give off some rather nasty smells.
To begin with, the main area of bad breath-causing bacteria will be on your tongue. You may notice a thick, furry patch developing that smells really bad over time.
Later, as the plaque and rot set in, you’ll develop more intractable bad breath that needs professional help to resolve.
Your Gums Will Bleed
The next step is gum disease. At first, this takes the form of gingivitis. This occurs when bacteria damage the lining between the teeth and gums, exposing the capillaries. Eventually, the infection moves below the gumline causing swelling, abscesses and more foul breath.
If you brush your teeth after not brushing them for, say, a week, the likelihood of bleeding is much higher. That’s because bacteria have had an opportunity to damage them, leading to infection. This problem is made much worse if you are a smoker, since chemicals in smoke damage the gum lining.
Your Teeth Will Rot
After a couple of months of neglecting oral hygiene, the rot really begins to set in. If you carry on eating a standard western diet, you’ll notice that cavities form in your molars which can be painful. You’ll need to deal with these quickly to prevent tooth loss.
Your Teeth Will Fall Out
After bleeding gums, foul breath and rotting teeth, you teeth will start to fall out. This process can take several years, but it is often inevitable if you have infection below the gumline or the interior of the tooth is compromised. The root can become so damaged that there is nothing dentists can do to save the tooth
The good news, though, is that all these problems are correctable with the right care. Mona Vale Dental Implant Centre, for instance, describes treatments that involve replacing your entire dentition with implants. These are essentially posts with artificial crowns on top that function like regular teeth.
In summary, neglecting your oral health is not a good idea. It leads to nasty consequences almost immediately, and terrible oral health over the long-term. Therefore, stick to your routine, stay healthy, and keep your mouth in good condition.