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What Happens When You Don't Care For Your Teeth?

Oral health is not a joke and should never be taken lightly. What most people do not realize is that when you have poor oral health, it affects the overall health of an individual too. Thankfully enough studies have been conducted over the last two to three decades that emphasize the importance of oral health and why it is as important as the general health of the body.

Here is a fact that will astonish you: half of the Americans do not floss on a daily basis while one out of every five Americans does not brush their teeth twice a day. 

In this article, we are going to take a different approach and expose what happens if you don’t take care of your teeth and oral health. 

Bad breath 

The first thing that will happen is that you would have bad breath. When you don’t brush your teeth after eating or drinking, some of the residues remain in your mouth.

These particles get stuck around your teeth and even your tongue. Secondly, as most consumables have a smell attached to it, it lingers in your mouth when you don’t brush. In just a day or two, you’d see how every time you open your mouth, a particularly unpleasant smell comes from your mouth. This is not a confidence builder.

Enamel will start to break down

When you eat something and don’t brush your teeth, plaque starts to accumulate in your mouth. Over time, this plaque hardens and turns into tartar. When tartar is left untreated, it aids in the erosion of the enamel of your teeth. The worst thing is once enamel is lost, it cannot be regained. When the tooth is still not treated, the decay makes the dentin of the tooth vulnerable too. As dentin is a softer part of the tooth, the decay process is faster when involved. When decay grows and gets close to the pulp, it can become exposed. That can make the process even more complicated as it can involve root canal therapy which greatly increases the cost of treatment.

More prone to gum disease

When you don’t take care of your oral hygiene, it does not only leave its impact on your teeth but also your gums. People who don’t brush their teeth properly are prone to getting gingivitis. The fact is that half of the Americans already have it. Gingivitis is labeled as the earliest sign of gum disease. If your gums start to bleed while you floss, it shows that you have a milder version of gingivitis. 

If you don’t take gingivitis seriously and it is left on its own, it can lead to a more serious gum disease called periodontists. Once you have periodontists, it can cause irreversible damage and it becomes crucial that you see your dentist. 

Development of tooth infections 

Poor dental hygiene results in the development of tooth infections. As you keep on getting cracks and cavities in teeth, it leads to infections that not only hurt really bad but also can only be sorted out by a dentist.

When cavities are not treated in time, bacteria gets inside the pulp of a tooth. A tooth with a damaged pulp can lead to an abscessed tooth, which is painful and also results in swelling and discomfort while chewing. 

However,  if you take care of your teeth, you can actually steer clear of these dental issues and actually enjoy good oral health. 

Bottomline 

At the end of the day, it is important to realize that only you can take care of your health, be it oral or total body. It is a team effort. Getting proper dental treatment will do little if you don’t take care of your oral health. Brushing your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste (preferably after consuming something), flossing once a day, and frequent dental checkups are three of the basic regimens of a good oral health routine. 

If you do feel any type of toothache or dental problem, do not shy away from making an appointment with your dentist. It is better to catch a problem early than let it grow into a bigger problem, causing more pain and expense.

(05/24/2022)
by Dr. Jeffrey R. Shapiro

More Information: https://www.ismile.com/blog/oral-health

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