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What if you never brushed your teeth?

The short answer

Sticky plaque would build up, and its germs would make acid that wears holes called cavities. Your gums would get red and swollen, and in serious gum disease teeth can even fall out.

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The outside of your teeth is harder than your bones. Yet tiny germs can still break through it.

Where do cavities come from?

Without brushing, a sticky film called plaque builds up on your teeth. It is full of germs that feed on sugar and make acid. That acid slowly wears holes in your teeth, called cavities.

Illustration from the video: Without brushing, a sticky film called plaque builds up on your teeth.

Illustration from the video: That acid slowly wears holes in your teeth, called cavities.

Can you brush it off later?

Old plaque can harden into a crust called tartar. Your toothbrush cannot remove it, but a dentist can.

Illustration from the video: Your toothbrush cannot remove it, but a dentist can.

What happens to your gums?

Plaque also makes your gums red and swollen, and they bleed easily. Your breath can start to smell bad, too. In serious gum disease, teeth can get loose and even fall out. If your gums bleed or swell, see a dentist.

Illustration from the video: In serious gum disease, teeth can get loose and even fall out.

Illustration from the video: If your gums bleed or swell, see a dentist.

Illustration from the video: Ancient tartar can even show scientists what people ate thousands of years ago.

One more thing

Ancient tartar can even show scientists what people ate thousands of years ago.

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