Falling Asleep Without Brushing Your Teeth: Why Is It So Bad?

If you forget to brush your teeth at night every once in a while, you're not alone. But when failing to brush becomes a bad habit, you could be taking a bigger toll on your teeth than you think. According to a study by Delta Dental, only 46% of Americans brush their teeth twice a day as recommended by the American Dental Association. About 31% only brush their teeth once a day and 12% will go two days without brushing.

What exactly makes it so bad to forego brushing your teeth even for just one night? And how can multiple days without brushing put a dent in your dental care? Here, we'll dive into the reasons why falling asleep without brushing your teeth can do a lot of harm to your health.

It doesn't take a lot to make a cavity

Throughout the day, the leftover particles from the foods and drinks you eat combined with the saliva in your mouth to form a sticky, colorless (or sometimes pale yellow) substance on the surface of your teeth and along your gumline. This substance is called plaque.

Plaque contains bacteria that feeds on the sugars and carbohydrates in your mouth. As the bacteria in your mouth eat these particles, they produce acids. These acids break down the protective layer of enamel on your teeth. It only takes four to 12 hours for plaque to form on your teeth, which means it only takes four to 12 hours for bacteria to begin breaking down your teeth's enamel.

Regular brushing keeps tartar at bay

Plaque forms on your teeth within four to 12 hours, and plaque turns into tartar within 24 to 72 hours. Tartar is a hardened plaque that can be difficult to remove without help from a dentist. Once tartar forms on your teeth, the bacteria in your mouth have free range of that part of your tooth, breaking down the enamel and worsening tooth decay.

Another important reason to brush your teeth: morning dragon breath is a real thing!

To eliminate bad breath, control tartar, and remove plaque 250% better than traditional toothpastes, be sure to use LIVFRESH each time you brush! LIVFRESH is recommended by thousands of dentists, including the Former President of the American Dental Association.