One night, something happened that upset me and by 8 in the morning, I woke up and had breakfast. I was still a little tired since I didn't sleep that much so I went back to rest...though I didn't intend on falling asleep, since I knew I had teeth to brush, but I fell asleep unfortunately and, I woke up around 1 PM. I ate my lunch by then and pretty much repeated the same procedure like an idiot by going back to bed and resting. I ended up waking up around 7 and finally remembered to brush at around 8 PM...that's freaking 12 hours without brushing, flossing or rinsing. Why, I did not notice the seriousness of this before is most likely due to the retarded depression.



This is obviously unlike not taking a shower for 3 days or not cutting hair for 3 months. This is oral hygiene which decays permanently, so I was wondering how long does it take after eating for any part of the inner mouth to start getting affected, either the teeth or gums pretty much. If it helps, by 8 in the morning I had eaten some chicken, some rice, some vegetables, honey-roasted almonds and 3 flavors of ice cream and some honey.

Thanks.

Was wondering if there are any statistics telling when your teeth and gums begin to get permanently affected after eating and not brushing or flossing.

Also it just hit me but...why is it recommended by some to brush twice a day (I would guess this means every 12 hours?) and not every meal? Since after each meal I'd say is the logical advice...twice a day can mean going without brushing for 12 hours each day, something I've done and the reason I made this thread.

Seems to me whoever suggested the twice a day thing is saying 12 hours could NEVER start affecting your teeth or gums...but for some reason I call BS because I know plaque could start to build up way before that...like a few hours.