#DareToChange: 5 things that happen when you don’t brush your teeth twice a day

When we were children, we’d hear our parents tell us that “it’s good to brush your teeth twice a day”. Well, at that point, most of us thought our parents were being paranoid, but no, they had solid reasons behind this piece of advice. But, before we get down to the important reasons for brushing our teeth twice a day, let’s first understand why good oral care is critical, both for your health and wallet. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 32 percent of adults have untreated cavities. To tackle that, it is important to brush and floss daily. 

Not many know that there are more than 300 kinds of bacteria that live in your mouth. If you do not brush your teeth daily (and twice), these bacteria ingest the food particles and leftover sugar that eventually causes tooth decay. 

Even if you forget brushing one day, the bacteria will wreak havoc and cause a bad smell in your mouth. And in case you meet your partner today and you kiss, the bacteria buildup will be spread to him. Eww! 

Does brushing your teeth still not feel as important to you? Well, wait till you hear this. According to the University of Illinois, you can increase your risk of bone and tissue loss around the teeth, if you do not pay attention to your brushing habits. Scary, isn’t it? 

Well, a lot more can happen if you don’t brush your teeth twice a day. Here’s all that you need to know:

1. Bad breath

This is a no-brainer! As we mentioned above, your mouth is a hub of bacteria, and if you don’t brush your teeth twice a day, the bacteria will stay there and cause a variety of problems. Bad breath is one of them! So, make sure you brush your teeth properly, once in the morning and post-dinner to prevent this issue. You could also chew sugar-free gum after every meal.

2. Gum disease

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. In most cases, this is the first sign of gum disease. If left untreated, it can cause inflammation of the gums!

3. Tooth stains

Not brushing your teeth twice a day can make you look unsightly. That’s because no one can stop you from getting tooth stains. Hence, brushing your teeth with a good toothpaste is important because they contain mild abrasives like calcium carbonate, aluminium oxides, dehydrated silica gels, and much more.

4. Heart attack or stroke

Don’t get shocked, because this is absolutely true! If you don’t brush your teeth twice a day, the bacteria build-up from your mouth can move into the bloodstream, thereby increasing the likelihood of cholesterol build up in the arteries. That increases the chances of a stroke or a heart attack.

5. Dementia

According to some studies, poor gum health can increase your risk of developing dementia by 30%!

So, don’t take a chance, and brush your teeth properly twice a day!