# What is the worst that can happen if you never brush your teeth? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 23, 2014, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-that-can-happen-if-you-never-brush-your-teeth/689086 "2014-05-23T13:17:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![mandala](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mandala/32/95_2.png) [@mandala](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mandala)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2014, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-that-can-happen-if-you-never-brush-your-teeth/689086/1 "2014-05-23T13:17:05Z")
Let’s say, that a healthy person decides to never brush their teeth for one entire year, using commercially available stuff (such as paste/powder). She regularly rinses with plain water and cleans with her finger, though. Will she lose her teeth and/or get gum disease within a year? Will she upset her digestive system by regularly swallowing bacteria? What is the worst that can happen? ---
**Author:** ![Incubus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c68b51/32.png) [@Incubus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Incubus)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2014, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-that-can-happen-if-you-never-brush-your-teeth/689086/2 "2014-05-23T13:22:08Z")
Obviously people have managed for millenia without brushing their teeth (at least with toothbrushes and flouride toothpaste; they may have chewed on reeds or something for a similar effect). I would say it _really_ depends on the person’s genetics. For some people, brushing is really important because their teeth are much more prone to decay, and regular brushing/flossing can really extend the lifetime of their teeth. For others, they seem to go cavity-free with plenty of neglect their whole lives. As important as your one and only set of teeth are, I think gum health is really important as well. Periodontal diseases can be devastating in the long term and brushing/flossing helps deal with this. So in summary, the worst that can happen is your teeth rot/fall out and you end up with infected gums and a lot of pain in the long run, not to mention halitosis. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2014, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-that-can-happen-if-you-never-brush-your-teeth/689086/3 "2014-05-23T13:37:58Z")
> [@mandala](#): > > What is the worst that can happen? People will assume you’re English. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2014, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-that-can-happen-if-you-never-brush-your-teeth/689086/4 "2014-05-23T13:45:57Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > People will assume you’re English. 😉 As I read the OP I thought to myself, “I wonder how long until God’s gift to comedy pops in with a ‘English’ joke”. Thanks for not disappointing. It is heartwarming to know that there are still people out there who are utterly incapable of any sort of humour outside of predefined tropes. I’m glad there’s people out there that feel they can get by without ever actually thinking for themselves or possibly even defining themselves by doing anything remotely original. I wake up every day thanking the Lord that I do not believe in for the presence of people like you, because you just make it so much easier for the rest of us to come across as intelligent, humorous and, frankly, pleasant people. Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/try2b_comprehensive/32/65_2.png) [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2014, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-that-can-happen-if-you-never-brush-your-teeth/689086/5 "2014-05-23T13:51:54Z")
You’re watching it unfold right here. (If only brits were this sensitive when they were drilling for oil!) ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2014, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-that-can-happen-if-you-never-brush-your-teeth/689086/6 "2014-05-23T13:54:57Z")
> [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](#): > > You’re watching it unfold right here. > > (If only brits were this sensitive when they were drilling for oil!) Sweetie, does it still hurt so much that she left you? ---
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2014, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-that-can-happen-if-you-never-brush-your-teeth/689086/7 "2014-05-23T13:55:10Z")
I guess _technically_ the worst that could happen is you die. If you get a cavity or gum infection, it could cause sepsis, or spread to the brain. However, that’s a pretty unlikely scenario. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2014, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-that-can-happen-if-you-never-brush-your-teeth/689086/8 "2014-05-23T13:58:59Z")
Genetics…yes, I guess so. I hadn’t been to a dentist in years, never flossed (tho I did brush thorougly at night), but when one of my natural crowns started to distingrate, I finally broke down. It was a pain the posterior to get that root-canaled & recapped, but he only found two more cavities. I couldn’t believe it. Meanwhile a friend of mine, 10 years my junior, has had half of his yanked out this year. Then again I only drink carbonated drinks once a week, while he snarfs down Diet Coke like it is going out of style… ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2014, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-that-can-happen-if-you-never-brush-your-teeth/689086/9 "2014-05-23T14:00:15Z")
> [@amanset](#): > > As I read the OP I thought to myself, “I wonder how long until God’s gift to comedy pops in with a ‘English’ joke”. Oh, what’s the matter?.. Did the sun fail to rise on your empire this morning?.. And it’s “…a[n] ‘English’ joke.” I shouldn’t have to correct you. > [@amanset](#): > > Thank you. You’re welcome. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2014, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-that-can-happen-if-you-never-brush-your-teeth/689086/10 "2014-05-23T14:17:43Z")
> [@amanset](#): > > As I read the OP I thought to myself, “I wonder how long until God’s gift to comedy pops in with a ‘English’ joke”. What are you, some kinda namby-pamby Frenchman? ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2014, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-that-can-happen-if-you-never-brush-your-teeth/689086/11 "2014-05-23T15:36:22Z")
> [@amanset](#): > > As I read the OP I thought to myself, “I wonder how long until God’s gift to comedy pops in with a ‘English’ joke”. > > Thanks for not disappointing. It is heartwarming to know that there are still people out there who are utterly incapable of any sort of humour outside of predefined tropes. I’m glad there’s people out there that feel they can get by without ever actually thinking for themselves or possibly even defining themselves by doing anything remotely original. I wake up every day thanking the Lord that I do not believe in for the presence of people like you, because you just make it so much easier for the rest of us to come across as intelligent, humorous and, frankly, pleasant people. > > Thank you. Does the butthurt come from all that spanking? ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2014, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-that-can-happen-if-you-never-brush-your-teeth/689086/12 "2014-05-23T15:38:15Z")
I’ve seen otherwise healthy patients die from runaway dental infections. ---
**Author:** ![Turpentine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecd19e/32.png) [@Turpentine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turpentine)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2014, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-that-can-happen-if-you-never-brush-your-teeth/689086/13 "2014-05-23T15:42:50Z")
I do remember seeing this documentary about medieval life and they showcased some skulls of peasants. They were um, English. Anyway, the bacteria that cause plaque can also cause calculus, a hardened kind of plaque that’s hard to remove. And on some of these skulls, the calculus had calcified so extensively that it looked like a coral reef had grown over their teeth. ---
**Author:** ![AnthonyElite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b487fb/32.png) [@AnthonyElite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AnthonyElite)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2014, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-that-can-happen-if-you-never-brush-your-teeth/689086/14 "2014-05-23T17:15:54Z")
> [@amanset](#): > > As I read the OP I thought to myself, “I wonder how long until God’s gift to comedy pops in with a ‘English’ joke”. > > Thanks for not disappointing. It is heartwarming to know that there are still people out there who are utterly incapable of any sort of humour outside of predefined tropes. I’m glad there’s people out there that feel they can get by without ever actually thinking for themselves or possibly even defining themselves by doing anything remotely original. I wake up every day thanking the Lord that I do not believe in for the presence of people like you, because you just make it so much easier for the rest of us to come across as intelligent, humorous and, frankly, pleasant people. > > Thank you. As I read this joke I thought to myself, "I wonder how long until God’s gift to misery pops in with a(n) “overwhelming sensitivity to anything humorous”. Thanks for not disappointing. It is heartwarming to know that there are still people out there who are utterly incapable of any sort of humor outside of jokes so mild and inoffensive that one can only manage a simpering forced grin. I’m glad there’s people out there that feel they can get by without ever actually having to take a fucking joke or possibly even defining themselves by doing anything remotely original. I wake up every day thanking the Lord that I do not believe in for the presence of people like you, because you just make it so much easier for the rest of us to come across as intelligent, humorous and, frankly, pleasant people. See, this last bit is the same because that is actually what you are doing. You must be a joy to spend time with. Assuming you’ve met anyone outside the internet. By the way, don’t slip up there on that soap box because I don’t think anyone will catch you. How brave of you to defend the British by the way. After all their trials and tribulations, after-all, if anyone could use a break it’s them. To the OP: Qadgop is certainly correct on the dental infections. They get nasty FAST. It would largely depend on your diet also. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2014, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-that-can-happen-if-you-never-brush-your-teeth/689086/15 "2014-05-23T17:29:35Z")
> [@bouv](#): > > I guess _technically_ the worst that could happen is you die. If you get a cavity or gum infection, it could cause sepsis, or spread to the brain. However, that’s a pretty unlikely scenario. > [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > I’ve seen otherwise healthy patients die from runaway dental infections. I think we can agree that death would be the worst case. Oddly, sometimes infections happen without much pain or, at least, without continuous pain. I finally stopped one game of “should I go in or not” when I felt a lump in the roof of my mouth near the gum line. According to the x-ray, I had managed to crack a tooth, splitting it longitudinally to the root tip. The bump got lanced. The tooth got pulled. In between, I got antibiotics. At no time before treatment was the pain more than temporarily annoying. I’d hate to think what could have happened with no intervention. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2014, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-that-can-happen-if-you-never-brush-your-teeth/689086/16 "2014-05-23T18:02:39Z")
> [@mandala](#): > > What is the worst that can happen if you never brush your teeth? You _could_ begin to accept the notion that even though there’s overwhelming scientific proof that this simple and economical act prevents much more serious health issues that it’s okay to downplay the risk. And then in addition to your teeth you can begin to ignore some of the other aspects of your health; having a good diet and taking your meds, regular exercise, addressing any concerns about exhaustion or stress that might be compromising your mental health, etc. You _could_ become increasingly complacent to any and all of very real risks that surround us and eventually there’s no longer a route back to any semblance of a quality life. So brush them teethes. Oh yeah… and floss! ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2014, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-that-can-happen-if-you-never-brush-your-teeth/689086/17 "2014-05-23T18:18:55Z")
The worst that could happen would be if you were suddenly discovered by a talent agent and put through a quick acting lesson of which you are surprisingly naturally gifted. You are immediately given a role in a large film production whose small but memorable part you own with grace and flawlessness. You are nominated for your role which is the magnum opus of a legendary director, who at his deathbed proclaimed your acting to be his finest he’s ever directed. At the Oscars, a mis-spiced fish meal renders the Queen woozy, who was making her first and last appearance at the event. During the presentation of your Oscar, she reaches in for a peck on the cheek, but a whiff of your rancid breath causes her to vomit over your dress. The slick mix of cod and stomach acids betrays the tape holding up your strapless dress and a billion people see you topless as you slip on the vomit and fall off stage, your flailing feet kicking the Queen in the head, killing her, as you tumble into the lethal arms of a performing bear hidden underneath the floor panel in preparation for the show’s next stage performance ---
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2014, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-that-can-happen-if-you-never-brush-your-teeth/689086/18 "2014-05-23T18:23:40Z")
> [@amanset](#): > > As I read the OP I thought to myself, “I wonder how long until God’s gift to comedy pops in with a ‘English’ joke”. > > Thanks for not disappointing. It is heartwarming to know that there are still people out there who are utterly incapable of any sort of humour outside of predefined tropes. I’m glad there’s people out there that feel they can get by without ever actually thinking for themselves or possibly even defining themselves by doing anything remotely original. I wake up every day thanking the Lord that I do not believe in for the presence of people like you, because you just make it so much easier for the rest of us to come across as intelligent, humorous and, frankly, pleasant people. > > Thank you. If it really bothered you that much, Pit him…don’t make posts like this here which come off as insulting. ---
**Author:** ![RadicalPi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/radicalpi/32/9806_2.png) [@RadicalPi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RadicalPi)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2014, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-that-can-happen-if-you-never-brush-your-teeth/689086/19 "2014-05-23T18:51:07Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Oh, what’s the matter?.. Did the sun fail to rise on your empire this morning?.. I think that it explains it. The sun hasn’t risen or set on (what’s left of) the empire since 1800 or so. ---
**Author:** ![mandala](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mandala/32/95_2.png) [@mandala](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mandala)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2014, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-that-can-happen-if-you-never-brush-your-teeth/689086/20 "2014-05-23T19:59:08Z")
Thanks for an extensive discussion on the dental hygiene (or the lack thereof) of the English. It was very entertaining. Now back to my hypothetical. The experimental subject is determined to clean off gross plaques with her slender fingers. She has clean water to rinse with, too. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-worst-that-can-happen-if-you-never-brush-your-teeth/689086.md?page=2)