Are You Brushing Your Teeth Too Hard?
You do it morning, night, and sometimes after lunch. What is this action you repeat on the daily? It is brushing your teeth! Smoosh the toothpaste onto the brush, insert into your mouth, scrub it over your teeth, and rinse. Simple, right? Unfortunately, this is not the case.
Are you brushing your teeth to hard? Just as there is a correct technique to flossing, so too there is a correct technique to brushing. Allow Rancho Dental to inform you about the dangers of brushing your teeth too hard, as well as some helpful brushing tips!
You May Be Doing Yourself More Bad Than Good
Perhaps you feel like a vigorous brushing is the only way to get your teeth feeling squeaky clean. In actuality, your teeth will experience considerable wear and tear. To begin with, this can wear away precious enamel and cause your gums to recede. In the end, this will lead to tooth sensitivity. In addition, wearing away your glossy, white enamel, will lead to a darker, yellow shade on your teeth.
How can you know if you are brushing your teeth too hard? Take a look at your tooth brush. If you have had it for 3 months or less, be aware it should appear relatively new. On the other hand, if it looks damaged and flattened, consider some of the tips below!
Tips for the Aggressive Brusher
- Choose a soft-bristled tooth brush. Also, make sure you replace tit every 3 months or sooner if it starts looking damaged.
- Angle your toothbrush at 45-degrees facing your gums. This allows your brush to clean away bacteria beneath the gum line.
- Gentle, circular motions are best. Do this on the inner, outer, and chewing surfaces. For electric toothbrush users, allow your brush to do all the work without applying a lot of pressure. To keep your brushing gentle, consider using your non-dominant hand!
- Slow down! Dentists recommend a 2 minute brushing cycle 2 times a day. It may seems like a long time while brushing but it will help you to be more mindful of what you are brushing and how.
In summary, follow these tips to avoid tooth sensitivity and unhealthy gums! Are you brushing your teeth too hard? Check yourself next time you brush!