Are You Brushing Your Teeth Too Hard?

Brushing your teeth every morning and every night is one of the most important parts of keeping your smile healthy and bright. Doing this will remove food particles and plaque that has built up on them throughout the day. This will lessen your risk of developing cavities and gum disease. Many people assume that brushing their teeth harder will help them remove even more gunk from their smiles, but this can actually lead to additional issues. Read on to learn about how brushing your teeth too hard can damage your smile and the right way to care for your pearly whites.

The Negative Impacts of Overbrushing

Since brushing your smile is crucial to preventing oral health issues, you may think that really putting your back into it is one of the best ways to do so. Unfortunately, doing this can lead to more harm than good. Overbrushing can cause oral health issues like premature enamel wear. Worn tooth enamel can also make your teeth look discolored since it allows the naturally yellow dentin to show through.

Additionally, overbrushing can cause your gums to recede. Gum recession may result in sensitive teeth and can also make you more susceptible to gum disease and cavities. It’s important to receive prompt treatment to avoid the need for root canal therapy or tooth extractions. If your toothbrush is worn, this may also be a sign that you’re overbrushing.

The Correct Way to Brush Your Teeth

The best way to avoid overbrushing is to know the right methods to use to clean your smile. The proper way to brush your teeth is by:

• Step 1: Use the right toothbrush – Be sure to use a toothbrush with soft bristles. This will keep you from accidentally damaging your tooth enamel. You should also use toothpaste that has the ADA seal of approval and contains fluoride. This will help strengthen your teeth against decay.
• Step 2: Brush at the right angle – When brushing, do so at a 45-degree angle to your gums. You should also allow the bristles to clean under your gum line. This will lessen your risk of developing gum disease.
• Step 3: Brush in the right direction – Be sure to move the toothbrush back and forth across your teeth using short, tooth-wide strokes. If you’re using an electric toothbrush, it will do most of the work for you.

Brushing your teeth too hard can do a lot of damage to your smile. With the three above tips, you should know the proper way to brush your teeth and keep them healthy for years to come!

About the Practice

The smiles of Parma Heights are in good hands with Dr. Glenn Shtarkman, Dr. Caroline Salib, and their talented team at Advanced Dental Center. They take pride in helping patients keep their smiles beautiful and bright with the proper brushing techniques and regular dental visits. They can also help those with issues like gum disease and sensitive teeth receive the care they need to make their smiles healthier and stronger. If you want more information about their services or are ready to make an appointment with Advanced Dental Center, visit their website or call (440) 885-5354.