Brushing your teeth daily is crucial for maintaining good oral hygiene and preventing cavities, gum disease, and other dental problems. However, life gets busy sometimes, and you may find yourself skipping days or even weeks of brushing your teeth. If you haven’t brushed your teeth for a prolonged period, there are steps you can take to get your oral health back on track.
How Long Can You Go Without Brushing Your Teeth?
Dentists universally recommend brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time. This regular brushing helps remove plaque buildup and food debris that can lead to decay and gum inflammation. However, missing the occasional day or two of brushing likely won’t cause harm, especially if you have a relatively healthy mouth to begin with.
Going longer than two or three days without brushing allows plaque to accumulate and harden into tartar. Tartar can only be removed by a professional dental cleaning. The bacteria in plaque produce acids that erode tooth enamel and irritate gums. After about one week of no brushing, most people will begin to experience side effects like:
- Bad breath
- Tooth decay
- Gingivitis (gum inflammation)
- Increased plaque and tartar buildup
- Higher risk of cavities and gum disease
- Tooth sensitivity
The longer you go without brushing, the worse these side effects become. After several weeks of no oral hygiene, the plaque and tartar deposits can harden into a thick layer that coats the teeth. Eventually, this can lead to advanced gum disease, infection, tooth loss, and other dental emergencies.
What Happens if You Never Brush Your Teeth?
While poor dental hygiene rarely leads to immediate life-threatening issues, ignoring your teeth indefinitely can still have devastating consequences. Here is what can happen if you never make brushing your teeth a habit:
- Tooth decay – Plaque bacteria generate acids that destroy tooth enamel. Without daily brushing, cavities will rapidly form, potentially causing severe toothaches and tooth loss.
- Gum disease – Plaque that is not removed irritates the gums and triggers inflammation (gingivitis). Over time, gums can recede and the bone holding teeth in place can erode, leading to loose teeth that may need extraction.
- Abscesses – Untreated cavities allow bacteria to infect the tooth pulp inside teeth. Abscesses are painful collections of pus caused by infection that can be life-threatening if left untreated.
- Oral thrush – A fungal infection that causes creamy white lesions inside the mouth. More common in those with weakened immune systems.
- Trench mouth – Also called acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis (ANUG), this is a severe gum infection marked by painful, bleeding gums and ulceration. It produces foul breath.
- Stained teeth – Daily plaque buildup leads to yellow, brown, or black discoloration of tooth surfaces.
- Halitosis – Smelly breath caused by bacteria on the tongue, gums, and teeth.
In rare cases, poor oral hygiene has even been linked to heart disease, diabetes complications, and premature birth when gum disease bacteria enter the bloodstream. Overall, it is imperative to brush daily to avoid complex and expensive dental problems down the road.
What to Do if You Haven’t Brushed in a Few Days
Set aside some time for a thorough oral hygiene session if you have skipped a couple days of brushing. Here are some tips for getting your teeth cleaner after a brief lapse in your routine:
- Brush very gently to avoid damage – Overzealous brushing can damage gums further if they are already inflamed from plaque buildup. Use a soft-bristled brush and brush with light, short strokes.
- Focus brushing on areas you tend to miss – Be sure to thoroughly brush the inside surfaces of bottom front teeth and the chewing surfaces of back teeth, where cavities often develop first.
- Use plaque-reducing toothpaste – Look for toothpastes containing stannous fluoride or Domiphen bromide, which have been shown to reduce plaque more effectively than regular fluoride toothpaste.
- Floss carefully – Gently ease dental floss beneath the gumline to remove plaque and debris, but avoid snapping floss into inflamed gums.
- Use an antiseptic mouthwash – Mouthwashes containing antimicrobial ingredients like cetylpyridinium chloride or essential oils can help control bacteria growth.
- Stimulate saliva flow – Chew sugar-free gum or suck on a mint to promote saliva production, which naturally helps cleanse the mouth.
- Drink plenty of water – Staying hydrated helps dilute acids from plaque bacteria and flush the mouth clean.
- Use a tongue scraper – Scraping the tongue reduces bad breath by removing bacteria, food debris, and dead cells from the tongue surface.
- See your dentist promptly – Schedule a dental cleaning and checkup to have plaque and tartar professionally removed.
Getting back on your regular oral hygiene routine right away can help reverse any early damage from missed brushing. Be extra diligent about brushing and flossing properly over the next several weeks.
What to Do if You Haven’t Brushed in Several Weeks
Going weeks without brushing can allow significant tartar and plaque accumulation. You will likely need more than just extra home care to get your teeth clean again. Follow these tips:
- See a dentist right away – Make an appointment and explain you haven’t brushed recently so they can evaluate your oral health status.
- Get a dental cleaning – Tartar needs to be professionally removed by a hygienist. They can also help identify any areas of early decay.
- Have any necessary dental treatment – If cavities or other problems are spotted, get them treated promptly to prevent worsening damage.
- Ask about fluoride treatments – Fluoride helps remineralize enamel weakened by acid erosion and promotes reparative dentin for cavity areas.
- See a dentist regularly afterward – Stick with your recommended checkup and cleaning schedule to avoid big plaque and tartar buildups.
- Improve your oral hygiene routine – Work diligently to brush and floss better so your teeth stay cleaner between dental visits.
- Use prescription strength products – Your dentist may recommend prescription toothpaste or prescription strength mouthwash for a while.
- Cut down on acidic and sugary foods – Limiting items that promote enamel erosion and cavities also helps turn dental health around.
Reversing the effects of poor long-term oral hygiene takes commitment. But implementing a diligent daily routine and following your dentist’s treatment plan can steadily improve your situation.
What to Do if You Haven’t Brushed Your Teeth in Months or Years
Going months or years without proper teeth brushing can cause severe plaque and tartar buildup, gum recession, multiple cavities, and advanced periodontal disease. Restoring dental health after such prolonged neglect is challenging but possible with a targeted treatment plan. Actions to take include:
- See a dentist immediately – Such severe plaque buildup requires professional cleaning, examination, and treatment planning.
- Get full mouth X-rays – Check for hidden signs of decay between teeth and under old fillings.
- Have a deep dental cleaning – Gross plaque and tartar removal may need to be done over multiple visits based on your gum health.
- Get several fluoride treatments – Fluoride helps restore mineral balance in weakened enamel and prevent future decay.
- Have fillings placed – Get any cavities or defective old fillings repaired promptly after cleaning.
- Treat gum disease – You may need non-surgical gum disease treatment, antibiotics, or specialty procedures.
- Extract any non-salvageable teeth – Teeth with advanced decay, gum disease, or other major defects may need extraction.
- Replace missing teeth – Dental implants, bridges, or partial dentures can restore missing teeth for proper function.
- Use prescription strength products – Special toothpastes, rinses, gels, or custom trays may be prescribed for home use.
- Improve your oral hygiene habits – Brush properly twice a day, floss daily, and see your dentist on schedule.
- Eat tooth-healthy foods – Avoid sugary and acidic items and focus on fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, nuts, dairy, and whole grains.
Repairing years of dental neglect is a process. It takes time and dedication to treat current problems and then maintain the improvements with great home care. But sticking to your treatment plan can rebuild dental health, function, and confidence.
Tips for Brushing After Not Brushing for a Long Time
When you finally pick up a toothbrush after not brushing for many days, weeks, months, or longer, follow these tips to avoid damaging your teeth and gums:
- Use a soft or extra soft brush – Bristles that are too stiff can abrasively wear down softened enamel.
- Rinse with water before brushing – This prevents scratching teeth with dried toothpaste remnants on your brush.
- Brush gently with light pressure – Aggressive scrubbing can damage tender, inflamed gums further.
- Spend 2-3 minutes per area – Brush each outer, inner, and chewing surface deliberately and thoroughly.
- Start brushing farthest from gums – Brush the biting surfaces first before progressing toward the gums.
- Gradually reach the gumline – Ease into brushing at the gum margin once plaque is cleared away.
- Use plaque-reducing toothpaste – Choose a variety clinically shown to fight plaque bacteria and buildup.
- Don’t rinse after brushing – Leaving toothpaste foam on teeth allows the fluoride to work longer.
- Wait 30-60 minutes before eating – For maximum strengthening effects, don’t eat or drink for at least 30 minutes after brushing.
- Floss once a day – Take extra care sliding floss between tight teeth caked with hardened plaque.
Patience is key, as it will take several professional cleanings and diligent brushing sessions to fully remove built-up plaque deposits. Over time and with regular care, your mouth will return to a much cleaner, healthier state.
Additional Tips for Improving Oral Health After Not Brushing
Here are some other beneficial strategies for getting your mouth cleaner and turning dental health around after a long period of poor oral hygiene:
- Use mouthwash – Antimicrobial rinses aid mechanical brushing and flossing.
- Drink more water – Improves saliva flow to help cleanse the mouth naturally.
- Chew xylitol gum – Xylitol inhibits cavity-causing bacteria.
- Eat crunchy fruits/veggies – The chewing action cleans teeth.
- Drink green/black tea – Contains antimicrobial compounds that combat bad breath bacteria.
- Take probiotic supplements – Certain strains may protect against cavities and gum disease.
- Quit smoking/chewing tobacco – This reduces staining and the risk of gum disease.
- Visit your dentist regularly – See them every 6 months to catch issues early.
- Get regular cleanings – Prevents large plaque and tartar buildup between visits.
- Use interdental cleaners – Floss, water picks, interdental brushes remove debris between teeth.
A daily oral hygiene routine is essential, but incorporating additional beneficial habits and products can provide a boost. Your diligence will pay off as your smile becomes cleaner, brighter, and more healthy.
When to See a Dentist After Not Brushing for a While
It’s always smart to make a dental appointment after skipping oral hygiene for multiple days or weeks. But you should seek emergency dental care right away if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Severe toothache or mouth pain
- Bleeding gums
- Painful gum swelling
- Pus around teeth or gums
- Loose permanent teeth
- Difficulty eating or swallowing
- Mouth sores lasting over 2 weeks
- Blisters or ulcers on the gums
- Foul-smelling breath persisting over 3 days
- Fever, chills, or fatigue
These signs may indicate a dental abscess, advanced periodontal disease, oral thrush, or other serious condition requiring prompt treatment. Postponing care could result in dental emergencies and permanent tooth loss.
FAQs About Brushing Teeth After Not Brushing for a Long Time
How long does it take for plaque and tartar to build up if you don’t brush?
Plaque begins forming on teeth just hours after brushing. Within about 24-48 hours it starts hardening into tartar that requires professional cleaning for removal. By around 1 week of no brushing, most people have significant tartar buildup and visible plaque.
What is the quickest way to get rid of plaque buildup?
The quickest way to thoroughly remove plaque and tartar is to get a professional dental cleaning. The dentist or hygienist uses ultrasonic scaling and hand tools to clean teeth above and below the gumline. At-home care alone cannot fully eliminate established tartar.
Can gums grow back if receded?
With professional treatment, it is possible to partially regrow receded gums in areas with only mild to moderate gum recession. Severe recession cannot be reversed, but further loss can be prevented with exemplary oral hygiene.
How long does it take for gingivitis to go away after brushing?
Acute gingivitis caused by plaque buildup can resolve within a week or so after careful brushing and flossing to remove bacteria and allow gums to heal. However, some gum inflammation may persist until longstanding tartar is professionally removed.
Can cavities be reversed naturally without filling?
Very early cavities restricted to the enamel surface may be remineralized through good oral hygiene, fluoride, teeth-healthy diet, and products containing compounds like nano-hydroxyapatite. But once decay progresses deeper, fillings are necessary.
The Takeaway
Going too long without brushing and flossing allows hazardous plaque deposits to form and leads to tooth decay, gum inflammation, bad breath, and aesthetic issues. While a day or two of missed oral hygiene likely causes minimal harm, neglect over weeks or more can lead to serious dental disease and destruction requiring extensive treatment and cost to repair.
If you have slacked on brushing for any length of time, don’t delay taking corrective steps. Carefully clean the teeth and start flossing again, use supplemental products to support your oral health, and schedule a dental cleaning right away. Following the dentist’s treatment plan can steadily turn your situation around and restore your oral health.