“How long will your teeth last without brushing?”

It depends on the quality and size of your dentin and enamel and also your diet. I have seen teeth deteriorate in a matter of less than 6 months.

When you find out for sure, it will be too late. That is my wise-guy answer. The saying in dentistry is "there is nothing I can do that can't be undone by what the patient won't do." Sad, but true. The road to destroying your teeth with neglect is a bumpy one. I had one patient who destroyed her teeth by age 16, and others, it can take 50 to 60 years. Dentures are a substitute for no teeth, not good teeth. The path to destroying your teeth includes breath that people can smell across the room, sharp and broken-down teeth, infection, and pain. Infections in the mouth are more than painful, they affect your health, especially your cardiovascular system. On rare occasions, infections of the upper front teeth can migrate to the brain. When we are children, we brush our teeth to keep Mom off our backs. As young adults, we usually discover that we should brush and floss for our own wellbeing. If and when you have children, help them brush and make sure they see you brush. When my oldest son was about your age, he declared, "Why should I brush? You don't!" I was shocked to learn that I always brushed after he was in bed. You are worth it! Brush for your own health and wellbeing.

Not advised you don't brush, but that being said, it depends on the persons genetic makeup. Some people can get away with not brushing and still not develop decay or gum problems. It is uncommon. For most people it may take years for the bone attachments to break down to the point where teeth are lost.

Only brush the teeth you want to keep.