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2%?

80%?

Or

95%?

2% of Americans don’t brush their teeth.

Are you one of them?

                          IMPORTANT DENTAL HYGIENE STATISTICS 2022

Appalling? Shocking? Unbelievable? That the richest land in the world should have 2% of its population who choose not to brush their teeth?

The American Dental Association (ADA) confirms the fact that 2% of Americans don’t brush their teeth AT ALL.

Why Worry About the Two Percent?

This small percentage may be insignificant for many. But not if you consider that these are adults with little children. If adults lack this basic hygiene knowledge, they are breeding another generation of Americans who will grow up similarly. Worrisome? Sure, particularly if you realize that 40% of American kids under three years have never been to a dentist. They are taken to dentists only when the need arises, not for routine check-ups. 

This justifies the fact that the 2% is indeed a small number, as against the growing 40%.

The above statistics may shock and alarm you. However, there are reports and case studies that point to the fact that people resist brushing their teeth and observing good oral hygiene methods.

Crazy but true.

And there is sufficient data to prove why. Here are some reasons:

Why People Resist Visiting a Dentist: 8 Alarming Reasons

#1. They Are Pain-Free

People reason that if they don’t experience pain in the mouth or teeth, they needn’t see a dentist. If, however, they go in for regular evaluations, they would be able to catch any growing problem and treat it immediately.

#2. Not Everyone Can Pay Dental Fees

Dental services have become expensive, if not prohibitive. Not everyone can afford buying necessary but expensive appliances. This is why people ignore their oral health.

#3. A Visit to the Dentist Causes Anxiety

People who need dental treatment are often fearful of what the doctor might do to their teeth. A kind and understanding dentist realizes this and treats the patient with care.

#4. Dental Health Isn’t Always a Priority

People give their face, hair, and skin more importance than their teeth. In time, this becomes a source of great concern.

#5. Busy Lifestyle

Often, our busy schedules don’t allow for a dentist’s appointment. People use this as an excuse to keep away from the dentist and ignore their oral health.

#7. Stained, Chipped Teeth Cause Embarrassment

People with stained and chipped teeth are embarrassed by them and so refrain from making a dentist’s appointment. They’re afraid that the dentist will spot their lack of dental care and make sharp remarks.  

#8. Fear of Dentist’s Instruments

A general fear of dentists also includes a fear of their instruments. People don’t understand that these are the doctor’s aids to diagnosing and treating patients correctly.

Consequences of Not Brushing Your Teeth Habitually

Asante Dental Centre

  200-522 Seventh Street, New Westminster, BC V3M 5T5  (604) 239-2402BOOK APPOINTMENT

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4 SIDE EFFECTS OF NOT BRUSHING YOUR TEETH

January 10, 2019

We all know we should brush our teeth twice a day. We know that brushing our teeth is good for us, but do we know what the side effects are if we don’t brush our teeth? Your friendly dentist at Asante Dental Centre has compiled this list to get you in the habit of brushing your teeth twice daily.

 Halitosis

Halitosis, more commonly known as bad breath, can be prevented by brushing your teeth daily. When you brush, you remove food that is left in your mouth following a meal. When food particles are not removed, they can break down resulting in a bad smell that comes from your mouth.  Regularly brushing your teeth twice a day helps to remove food particles from your mouth, leaving you with breath that smells both clean and fresh.

 Bacteria

When you don’t take the time to brush your teeth following breakfast or before going to bed, you allow the bacteria in your mouth to thrive. When bacteria is left undisturbed in your mouth, plaque starts to build up along the gums and between your teeth. Regular brushing reduces plaque. Over time, plaque can harden into tartar, which can stain your teeth and cause bleeding and inflamed gums. To completely remove tartar, you must make a visit to the dentist’s office. Tartar is more than just unsightly, it is generally the first step toward major oral health concerns.

 Tooth Decay

Tartar that is left undisturbed on your teeth can start to create serious problems with your overall oral health. Plaque and tartar work together to wreak havoc on your teeth by eating away at your teeth and gums. Bacteria can easily hide under areas of tartar buildup and become very difficult to remove by brushing and flossing.  Bacteria hiding under tartar can cause teeth to weaken and decay, eventually resulting in cavities.

 Disease

If tartar is not removed, it can result in advanced gum disease (periodontal disease) from loss of bone around teeth.  Periodontal disease can lead to teeth becoming loose and needing to be taken out.

 Bacteria and tartar with prolonged access to your gums can eventually infiltrate your blood system, resulting in serious health problems—not just in your mouth.  Not only does poor hygiene habits result in periodontal disease, but an unclean mouth is also linked to heart attacks, pneumonia, dementia, respiratory infections, and more!

 The best way to maintain your oral and overall health is to get into the habit of brushing your teeth at least twice a day. If you haven’t been to see your Asante Dental Centre recently, call to schedule an appointment today. Your oral and overall health may depend on it!

Ponderosa Dental Center

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2088 NE Williamson Ct., Bend, OR 97701

 4 Things That Can Happen If You Don’t Brush Your Teeth Regularly

added on: July 16, 2021

The American Dental Association, along with your dentist in Bend, recommends brushing your teeth for at least two minutes, twice a day, every day. However, many people don’t brush their teeth as often as they should. This can increase the risk of developing some serious oral problems.

 1. Cavities

The most common oral health problem that can happen when you don’t brush your teeth regularly is cavities. Cavities occur when the bacteria in your mouth feed on food debris and release acid. This acid can wear down tooth enamel and decay teeth. The result? A brand new cavity. If treated by your dentist in Bend quickly, a cavity is often an easy fix. However, if the cavity becomes too large and affects the inner workings of the tooth, you may need a root canal or additional treatment. 

 2. Bad Breath

Another likely side effect of not brushing your teeth is bad breath. The same bacteria that cause cavities can also carry a pretty pungent smell, and the more bacteria there are, the worse the smell. One of the best ways to avoid bad breath is to brush your teeth twice a day.

 3. Gum Disease

Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, is an infection of the gum tissues. It’s often caused by poor oral hygiene habits, such as not brushing your teeth or flossing as often as you should. When you don’t brush regularly, plaque builds up on teeth, can harden into tartar, and provide a nice environment for bacteria to thrive. These bacteria can work their way into your gums and cause an infection. Gum disease can be treated if caught early, but if it’s left alone too long it can contribute to other health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.

 4. Tooth Loss

Untreated gum disease is scary enough since it can lead to other problems throughout the body. However, to make matters worse, gum disease can also lead to tooth loss. Losing natural, adult teeth can mean even more oral health and overall health problems. A jaw bone can deteriorate, chewing power becomes limited, and self-confidence lowers. Thankfully, there are ways to replace teeth such as dentures, dental implants, or even implant-retained dentures.

We understand that it can be easy to skip brushing your teeth, especially if you’re running late in the morning or are extremely tired at night. However, we always recommend doing everything you can to get a thorough brush in both morning and night. Additionally, we encourage you to see your dentist in Bend every six months for regular checkups and cleanings.

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 Here’s What Happens When You Don’t Brush Your Teeth

Possible problems

Timeline

Oral hygiene tips

Takeaway

You’re super tired at night, and you think if you skip brushing your teeth this once, it can’t be that bad… right?

 It’s not the end of the world if you skip brushing your teeth every once in a while, but there are definitely some reasons why you need to remember to brush twice a day.

Keep reading to find out more about what happens if you don’t brush your teeth and how you can optimize your oral hygiene routine.

 Possible problems from not brushing

Your mouth can be the gateway to several health problems that extend beyond a toothache or cavity.

 The following are some potential problems for your teeth — and the rest of your body — that can happen if you don’t brush your teeth.

 Dental health

The brushing and overall care of your teeth help to remove plaque that’s often invisible to your eyes.

 Cavities

Plaque is a sticky film that coats the teeth and contains bacteria that can penetrate the protective enamel of your teeth, attacking the more vulnerable layers underneath. This leads to cavities.

If left untreated, cavities can lead to dental infections and, potentially, tooth loss. All of this is, for the most part preventable, if you brush your teeth and maintain good oral hygiene.

 Gingivitis

Plaque can do more than cause cavities in the teeth — they can also weaken the gums and lead to gingivitis, a form of gum disease. The bacteria present in plaque inflame and irritate the gums. The gums become puffy and more likely to bleed.

 Periodontitis

Just like plaque is a precursor to cavities, gingivitis is a precursor to periodontitis. This is a severe bone infection that impacts the bones that support your teeth. As a result, periodontitis is a leading cause of tooth loss.

 Possible link to dementia

Researchers have established that those with dementia often experience dental decay at greater rates.

There is, however, some research to back the idea that dental decay could increase a person’s risk for dementia, according to a research review published in Current Neurology and Neuroscience ReportsTrusted Source.

The researchers reviewed a potential link between inflammatory dental conditions, such as periodontitis, and inflammation in the brain that can lead to conditions such as dementia.

 While this review hinted at the possibility that poor dental hygiene causes dementia, there is no evidence that proves there is a connection.

 Heart Disease

A study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology found that those who brushed their teeth at least three times per day were less likely to experience atrial fibrillation and heart failure.

 Going to the dentist regularly also reduced the likelihood that a person would experience heart-related complications, according to the researchers.

 The study also found that a greater number of missing teeth were associated with an increased risk for heart-related conditions, such as atrial fibrillation.

  Timeline of complications

There aren’t many research participants who are eager to give up brushing their teeth for a week or a year, but research can give us a pretty good guess as to what happens if you don’t brush for certain time periods.

 Here’s what could happen if you don’t brush for the following durations:

 One day: According to Shafer’s Textbook of Oral Pathology, dental plaque can start to decalcify dentin — the protective material underneath the enamel — within 48 hours. This means that you have a small window of time to eliminate plaque before it starts to penetrate and potentially damage your teeth. Brushing teeth more frequently ensures you are adequately removing plaque from your teeth to protect them.

One week: In addition to weakening tooth enamel, excess plaque can have a fairly smelly side effect: bad breath. The sticky food particles you would normally wash off will continue to add up, and your teeth would have that “sweater”-like feeling on them due to built-up plaque and food particles.

One year: It’s tough to fully predict what would happen if you didn’t brush your teeth for a year. Some of it depends on your overall health — if your body has a more active immune system, you may be able to fight off some elements of tooth decay. However, one year of built-up tooth plaque would likely lead to cavities, gum disease, and potential tooth loss. If dentists don’t advise to skip brushing for one day, definitely don’t skip out on brushing for a year.