Why You Should Not Brush Your Teeth Too Hard.
Brushing your teeth is an essential part of your oral hygiene routine. It can help remove plaque, bacteria, and food particles that can cause tooth decay, gum disease, bad breath, and other oral problems.
However, brushing your teeth too hard can also have negative consequences for your oral health. It can damage your teeth and gums, leading to problems like tooth sensitivity, enamel wear, receding gums, and even tooth loss.
Here are some reasons why you should not brush your teeth too hard and how to avoid it.
How Brushing Too Hard Can Harm Your Teeth and Gums
When you brush your teeth too hard, you are applying excessive force and friction on your teeth and gums. This can cause several problems, such as:
• Tooth sensitivity: Brushing too hard can wear away the protective layer of enamel on your teeth, exposing the underlying dentin. Dentin contains tiny tubules that connect to the nerve endings in your teeth. When these tubules are exposed, they can react to hot, cold, sweet, or sour stimuli, causing sharp pain or discomfort. Tooth sensitivity can also occur when brushing too hard causes gum recession, which exposes the roots of your teeth that are not covered by enamel.
• Enamel wear: Enamel is the hardest substance in your body, but it is not indestructible. It can erode over time due to acidic foods and drinks, grinding your teeth, or brushing too hard. Enamel wear can make your teeth look yellow and dull, as well as increase the risk of cavities and infections. Once enamel is lost, it cannot be regenerated by your body.
• Receding gums: Brushing too hard can also injure your gums and cause them to pull away from your teeth. This creates pockets where bacteria can accumulate and cause inflammation and infection. Receding gums can also expose the roots of your teeth, making them more prone to decay and sensitivity. Gum recession can also affect the appearance of your smile and make your teeth look longer or uneven.
• Tooth loss: In severe cases, brushing too hard can lead to tooth loss. This can happen when brushing too hard causes so much damage to your teeth and gums that they become loose or fall out. Tooth loss can affect your ability to chew, speak, and smile, as well as cause bone loss in your jaw.
How to Prevent Brushing Your Teeth Too Hard
Brushing your teeth too hard is a common mistake that many people make without realizing it. They may think that the harder they brush, the cleaner their teeth will be. However, this is not true. You only need gentle pressure and proper technique to remove plaque and bacteria from your teeth and gums.
Here are some tips on how to prevent brushing your teeth too hard and keep good oral habits:
• Use a toothbrush with soft or extra soft bristles. While some people like to use toothbrushes with medium to hard bristles, they can actually damage your gums more and cause gum recession. Dentists recommend using toothbrushes with soft or extra soft bristles that can bend and reach under the gum line without hurting them.
• Use gentle motions. Another issue that needs to be addressed is the force you put into brushing. You don’t need to scrub or scrape your teeth with a lot of pressure. Instead, use gentle circular or back-and-forth motions to clean each tooth surface. Let the bristles do the work for you.
• Take your time brushing. It’s important to pay attention to all the places where plaque and bacteria can hide in your mouth. Dentists advise brushing your teeth for at least two minutes twice a day for optimal oral health. You can use a timer or a song to help you keep track of the time. You can also divide your mouth into four quadrants (top left, top right, bottom left, bottom right) and spend 30 seconds on each one.
• Tilt your brush 45 degrees against your gums. This can help you clean the plaque and debris effectively from both your teeth and gums. Don’t forget to brush behind your lower front teeth and upper back teeth, as these are often neglected areas.
• Consider swapping to an electric toothbrush. Electric toothbrushes can make brushing easier and more effective for some people. They have vibrating or rotating heads that can remove more plaque and gingivitis than manual toothbrushes. They also have features like timers, pressure sensors, battery indicators, or Bluetooth connectivity that can help you improve your brushing habits.
By following these tips on how to prevent brushing your teeth too hard, you can protect your teeth and gums from damage and maintain a healthy smile.
• The Harmful Effects of Brushing Your Teeth Too Hard – Waterbury Smiles Blog – This article explains how brushing too hard can cause tooth sensitivity, enamel wear, receding gums, and tooth loss. It also provides some tips on how to brush gently and effectively.
• Are You Brushing Your Teeth Too Hard? | Everyday Health – This article also discusses the problems caused by brushing too hard and how to prevent them. It also gives some advice on how to choose the right toothbrush and toothpaste for your oral health.
• Are you brushing your teeth too hard? – ABC Everyday – This article covers the reasons why you should not brush your teeth too hard and how to avoid it. It also explains the concept of dental biotype and how it affects your gum health.