By Cathi Coppinger
A new survey found that 23 percent of us have gone at least two days in a row without brushing our teeth in the past year. According to a professor at NYU’s dental school, here’s what happens if you don’t brush for two days, a week and five years.
- After a day of not brushing, a think film of plaque would form on your teeth. When they feel slimy, that’s plaque. Then bacteria sticks to it and causes MORE plaque.
- After TWO DAYS, the layer of plaque would be thicker and start to SMELL.
- After a WEEK without brushing, you’d definitely have bad breath. And you’d start seeing symptoms of gingivitis, where the edge of your gums look red and swollen.
- After a MONTH, your teeth could actually start DECAYING. Your gums would be red from gingivitis, and you’d see white spots on your teeth, which is the first sign your enamel is being eaten away.
- After a YEAR, you’d have a ton of cavities. A younger person might just need fillings, but if you’re over 50, your teeth would start feeling loose from gum disease.
- After FIVE YEARS, your teeth would be falling out, especially if you’re over 50. It can start happening around tone ONE year mark though, or even earlier.
