Brushing your teeth at least twice a day is a fundamentally important part of good oral hygiene. However, if you brush your teeth too hard, you can actually damage your teeth and especially your gums. What are some warning signs that you are brushing too hard?
If you notice that you are brushing too hard, what can you do about it? The simple answer would be to brush softer, but doing that regularly can be challenging, and it’s easy to fall back into using too much force.
Let’s look at the warning signs of brushing too hard, and how to handle brushing with the right amount of pressure.
Why It’s Important
Brushing the teeth too hard is especially effective at causing the gums to recede. This spurs gingivitis, and makes the mouth more susceptible to gum infections and periodontitis. Ironically, many people who brush too hard do so in order to ensure that their teeth are as clean and white as possible Using too much force while brushing can also wear away the enamel and cause the teeth to yellow.
Warning Signs
There are quite a few warning signs of brushing too hard, so it’s easy to recognize.
Receding Gums
Receding gums are a major sign of using too much force when brushing. The gums will pull back from the bottom of the teeth, exposing more of the enamel. However, receding gums can also be caused by other factors, such as gum disease, trauma, and even genetics. If you are uncertain about your receding gums, and especially if they have receded quickly, schedule a check up with your dentist.
Sensitive Teeth
Brushing too hard wears down enamel. Enamel is the protective surface on the outside of the teeth, and wearing it down exposes the sensitive dentin below. Additionally, gums cover the root of the tooth, and as they recede, they will expose more and more of the root of the tooth, leading to sensitivity. Like recessed gums, there are many causes of tooth sensitivity as well, including gingivitis, plaque build-up, and cracked teeth. If you have sudden and intense pains in your teeth, then talk to your dentist or dental hygienist about possible reasons.
Dull/Yellow Teeth
Wearing away the enamel makes the teeth less bright, especially near the roots. If you are noticing your smile yellowing, it could be because you are brushing too hard. Of course, there are other ways that the teeth can be dulled, such as acidic foods — coffee is one of the worst offenders — and poor oral hygiene. Again, if you notice your smile isn’t as bright as it used to be, talk to your oral hygienist and see what the problem might be.
Frayed Toothbrush Bristles
You should replace your toothbrush every 3 months or so. If you are noticing early fraying or disfigured bristles in the first month or two of use, you are certainly brushing too hard. Unlike the changes in the mouth caused by brushing too hard, this one can only be attributed to using too much force.
Practicing Safer Brushing
If you have receding gums, yellowing, sensitive teeth, and a frayed toothbrush, odds are you are brushing with too much pressure. It’s not the easiest habit to get out of, but there are some methods.
Use A Soft Toothbrush
Buy a toothbrush with soft or extra-soft bristles. This will help you clean your teeth without accidentally damaging them by brushing too hard.
Don’t Hold The Toothbrush With Your Whole Hand
Most people grip the toothbrush in their palm, with each finger and the thumb. This motion uses your arm muscles in the brushing process. Your arm might be too strong, and thus lead to over-brushing. The best way to handle this is to use 2 or 3 fingers around the brush, and grip with your thumb. This eases pressure by balancing it in fewer and weaker digits.
Replace Your Toothbrush Often
Every 3 or 4 months, replace your toothbrush. Often, people ignore frayed bristles on their brush and simply brush harder to “make up for it.” Pay attention to your toothbrush and get a new one when it’s worn out.
Get An Electric Toothbrush
An electric toothbrush will do the brushing for you, you just have to hold it against the teeth and gums. Evidence also suggests that electric toothbrushes are better for plaque removal.
Concerned About Your Teeth?
If you are worried about over-brushing, or any other oral health problem, then the best move is to talk to a dental professional. In the Carrollton Texas area, there is no better to go to than Josey Lane Dentistry. Send us your question and our experienced and professional staff will be happy to help with your issue.
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