When you don't brush twice a day, you are at a high risk of plaque build-up on the teeth. For the unversed, plaque is an accumulation of bacteria and food. But, when this plaque isn't removed, it can cause gingivitis, a yellow lining on the base of the tooth that meets the gum.
Twice daily brushing is best for most people – but once a day is better than nothing! If you decide to brush once a day, consider timing it just before bed or just after waking. Also think about other dental care activities you can do. For example, recent research shows antiseptic mouth wash can help reduce plaque.
The American Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste for two minutes each time. When you brush your teeth, you help remove food and plaque — a sticky white film that forms on your teeth and contains bacteria.
Even a few days without brushing can put you at risk of developing an early gum disease called gingivitis. You may notice red, swollen gums or bleeding while you brush and floss (note: you should never bleed while caring for your teeth!).
The reality is that not brushing your teeth before bed is bad news. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends brushing your beautiful smile twice a day. Skip a session, and you're on your way to encouraging the growth of bacterial buildup in the form of plaque, which can lead to cavities and even gum disease.
One week without brushing:
As soon as a week goes by, your teeth' enamel will start to break down. The plaque that hasn't been removed will make it easy for bad breath to grow. A dirty tooth will make it hard to clean. You will have a greater chance of getting cavities if you don't brush your teeth for a week.
Twice is enough for most people, but three times won't hurt!
We recommend brushing your teeth at least twice a day: once in the morning (i.e. around 30 minutes after breakfast), and once before bed! But if you want to go for three, that's no issue, just as long as you don't brush too hard or too soon after eating!
While it's optimal to brush your teeth both in the morning when you wake up and at night before you go to bed, brushing at night is actually more important. During the day, the foods you eat leave particles and debris on your teeth that feed bacteria.
But since it's so deeply ingrained into almost everyone's routine, it might surprise you to learn that about 20% of people aren't properly brushing each morning and evening. That can ultimately cause some serious consequences for gum health, and could even end up a contributing factor in emergency dental care.
Cavemen chewed on sticks to clean their teeth and even used grass stalks to pick in between their teeth. Without the availability of high-quality toothbrushes and toothpaste, however, cavemen's teeth were more susceptible to cavities and decay, even with a healthy, carbohydrate-free diet.
In a poll of 562 people around the world (including 332 Americans), 49% of men and 57% of women said they brush their teeth only once a day on average, while 44% of men and 37% of women said they were twice-daily brushers.
Statistics on Brushing Teeth
Brushing your teeth is crucial for fighting cavities and tooth decay. A study by Delta Dental found that 70 percent of Americans brush their teeth twice a day, typically once before bedtime and once when they wake up. On average, Americans brush their teeth for 1 minute 52 seconds.
Teeth ultimately turn yellow as you get older, when enamel wears away from chewing and exposure to acids from food and drink. Most teeth turn yellow as this enamel thins with age, but some take on a grayish shade when mixed with a lasting food stain.
Brushing your teeth in the morning gets rid of that morning breath by removing the acid and bacteria that build up overnight. If you don't brush your teeth thoroughly and often, a substance known as tartar will accumulate on the surface of your teeth and can be difficult to clean.
You should refrain from brushing more than three times a day, because brushing too often will wear down the enamel of your teeth. You must brush at least twice, but not more than three times a day.
Lethargy or Laziness
Laziness can also be the cause of no brushing attitude. People who are unconcerned or who simply are too lazy will not put in any effort into brushing their teeth daily, let alone twice a day each and every day.
If you make a habit of not brushing your teeth at night, then your enamel will wear down over time. This can result in a number of oral health issues, most notably a greater risk of developing cavities or gum disease.
Use Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda
Using this mixture removes bacteria and buildup of plaque to get rid of surface stains. Create a hydrogen peroxide and baking soda paste and use it to brush your teeth. After that, use water to rinse the mouth. You can also create a mouthwash using equal amounts of each ingredient.
Once bacteria and decay get through enamel, enough damage has already been done. A cavity is not going to stop once it's started. It will require a filling or some other form of treatment.
The same study found that brushing for two minutes removed 26% more plaque than brushing for 45 seconds. That's a lot of plaque, that if left on your teeth regularly, will eventually cause dental caries.
Many of us over-estimate how long we brush our teeth for – by as much as a whole minute in some cases. And yet there's some evidence that even two minutes of teeth brushing may not be enough. According to research, to remove as much plaque as possible more is better – with the best results at three to four minutes.
Cavities and gum disease
The bacteria that cause bad breath can hide in cavities in your teeth. This makes it difficult to get rid of the bacteria when you're brushing your teeth because it's hidden in places that you can't reach. Similarly, these bacteria can hide in deep pockets caused by gum disease.
Although this is not always a bad thing, when you start brushing too much or for too long, you can ultimately damage your teeth. Brushing more than three times a day, and for longer than 2 minutes, can sometimes lead to your tooth enamel wearing down as well as cause damage to your gums.