Brushing your teeth regularly is vital to keeping teeth and gums healthy, but experts warn that abusing this habit can reverse its good effects. Known as “abrasion caused by the toothbrush”, excessive brushing can cause dental sensitivity and retraction of the gums.

Intense brushing can wear away the enamel of the teeth and damage and retract the gums, and expose the sensitive area of ​​the root. Gum retraction can lead to other dental problems such as periodontal disease and cavities in the roots of the teeth, and may even lead to the need for treatments such as fillings, root canals and dental extractions. According to the Wall Street Journal, dentists estimate that between 10 and 20% of the population have damaged teeth or gums because of excessive brushing.

People who are most at risk of damaging their teeth and gums by excessive brushing are people who strictly follow their oral care and use medium or hard bristle toothbrushes. Other factors, such as genetic predisposition to gum retraction, involuntarily grinding or clenching teeth or using dental correctors, may increase the risk of damage from excessive brushing.

It is not necessary to brush vigorously to remove plaque. “The plaque is so soft that it can be removed with a cloth if it can reach all the surfaces where it is hidden,” dental surgeon and director of professional services. “To eliminate the plaque is necessary meticulousness, not an aggressive brushing”. You will not get any extra benefits from brushing hard. ”

Changing brushing habits, in general, can prevent the problem from getting worse. In cases of severe abrasion caused by brushing, dentists can fill the cracks with bonding material.

Technique for proper brushing

When brushing your teeth no matter how vigorously you do, but use the proper technique and do it meticulously. And that takes time. Dentists recommend that you brush your teeth for two to three minutes to get a more thorough cleaning. Here are some tips to brush your teeth properly:

Use a soft bristle brush to prevent damage to the gums and soft tooth dentin (teeth layer containing less minerals and under the enamel) and the root area. If you are used to using a hard bristle toothbrush, even a softer toothbrush than the one you use regularly can help.

When brushing, place the toothbrush head with the tips of the bristles at a 45 degree angle to the gum line.

Use the toothbrush with short strokes and scrubbing several times in each place, do not move the brush straight ahead and back as if it were a saw on the teeth.

Apply just pressure to feel the bristles against the gums. If you are crushing the bristles, you are brushing too hard.

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