I'm sure before toothpaste was invented we were fine, sure our teeth didn't last as long but heres 2 things
1- We didn't live as long. Living past 30 was considered ancient, its crazy what modern medicine does.
2- I'm sure through evolution we would have developed better defense. No other animal brushes their teeth and they're doing just fine.
I never brush my teeth, only twice a year (before I go to the dentist I brush em real quick to spare a lecture, and i have a dentist appointment every 6 months) and to keep my mouth clean every night I'll swish around a little water. Maybe I'll eat an apple too because they also clean your teeth.
I've only had one cavity in my lifetime and that was years ago. I've never had any teeth fall out and people even say my breath isn't THAT bad, its average. I don't get stuff stuck in my teeth because I'm a conscientious eater and I pick/suck my teeth after I eat with my tongue.
So, isn't this okay?
Suggestion:
The obvious answer is going to be 'No'.
But you substantiate why you aren't brushing, instead of just saying "I don't want to brush,.. so why do I have to?".
Keep this line of thought in general — apply it to everything — this is how you learn, how you even come across great discoveries (big or small) in all facets of life. But I digress..
Yes, at one point in time the average lifespan was closer to about 40yrs — though you had OLD men then as well.. some people didn't die in battle, or by grave disease, etc.. and lived to 80, etc.
This is my take on the matter:
Do you, we, as modern humans have to / need to brush our teeth? Yes, absolutely. I think the ingredients in the toothpaste are only minorly important compared to the bristles actually knocking food particles off in and around your teeth. This is why flossing is so important,.. it removes plaque and food particles from between your teeth (an insidious place where cavities often form).
You made a good point with the apple and its effects on helping clean the mouth. It does.. to some degree.
If we ate as an animal did — 100% organic, living, non processed — we wouldn't get near the cavities we do today.. imagine no sugar or high fructose corn syrup. No bits of processed foods lingering in crevices for hours and hours.
We were surely not 'designed' to brush our teeth — neither by god or evolution — which ever you believe (or both). But science has given us something to combat our modern DIET with. Brushing, fluoride, and flossing.
So with that in mind, I would err on the side of caution. Brushing isn't going to *hurt* you.. get a 'natural' toothpaste if you will — and floss.
If you choose not to,.. keep doing what your doing.. and going to those 6 month checkups — if you start seeing decay forming you know you might need to change your habits.
Good luck
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Ok well you don't have to brush your teeth if you don't want to be but be prepared for horrible problems with your teeth down the road. Do you know what a toothache is like? Have you ever had one at all? Do you want to have permanent toothache one day? I doubt it. Advances in technology has helped improve the quality of life for humans, and toothpaste, floss, mouthwash, etc is all part of that … but if you really don't want that then that's your choice, but be prepared for the pain associated with any problems you get with your teeth. Other animals don't brush their teeth, but those animals also put up with any pain they may get from their teeth. Humans however are the most intelligent animal and most people are not good with pain, especially tooth pain, so if there's a way to prevent it humans will find that way, and the way to prevent that is by brushing your teeth regularly.
Also do consider that most of the food people eat these days is loaded with sugar, salt, all sorts of "fake" ingredients, acids, etc, so that's another reason why people need to brush their teeth.
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