Don’t ignore that toothbrush! The dangerous effects of not caring for our teeth properly occur faster than you may think! That was the subject of a new study by the Single-Cell Center, Qingdao Institute of BioEnergy and Bioprocess Technology (QIBEBT) at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), and the Proctor & Gamble Company (P&G) featured in the March 9, 20201 issues of the journal mBio.
The study found some staggering data that the bacteria that causes gum disease and ages the oral microbiome increases faster than we once believed. In fact, the study found that within 24 to 72 hours, not caring for the teeth (eg. not brushing or flossing) decreases good bacteria in the oral biome, and increases the presence of bad bacteria. Good bacteria help by providing the mouth with anti-inflammatory chemicals, while bad bacteria increase your risk of periodontitis. Periodontitis is serious gum disease – the most advanced stage of gum disease. Periodontitis can cause everything from inflamed gums to tooth damage, tooth loss, and loss of gum tissue and jaw bone.
Another problem? The oral microbiome ages faster when oral hygiene is neglected. In fact, it ages a year in less than a month’s time when not cared for! In only 28 days, the mouth aged one year!
Thankfully, this is all preventable. For starters, it’s important to maintain excellent oral hygiene. You know the drill: brush your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes at each brushing. Don’t want to set a timer? Consider investing in a sonic toothbrush with a built-in two-minute timer. Also, don’t forget to floss between every tooth to clear away bits of food and bad bacteria lurking at your gum line. This will not only keep your breath fresher, it will make your dental cleaning last longer, and help ward off gum disease in the process.
Furthermore, it’s important to not skip regular dental exams. Dr. Abelar can spot any danger zones in your mouth and help treat them before they become a problem. For example, cavities can be filled or even prevented from worsening if caught in time. He can also screen you for oral cancer, gum disease, TMJ dysfunction, and more.
