From a young age, your parents teach you that you should brush your teeth twice a day. Doing so ensures that plaque and food debris cannot build up on your teeth and lead to tooth decay. However, one thing that many people aren't aware of is that brushing your teeth too aggressively will eventually do more damage than good. Do you suspect that you have been brushing your teeth with too much force? Look for the following signs.
1. Gum Recession
Healthy gum tissue holds your teeth in place with the help of the periodontal ligaments that surround the roots of your teeth. If your gums are as they should be, they should cover the roots of your teeth, protecting them from acids and bacteria. The roots of your teeth are vulnerable to tooth decay because they don't have enamel to protect them. If you are able to see the roots or necks of one or more of your teeth, and the gum in the area has visibly receded, you could be brushing your teeth with too much force.
2. Wear and Tear
Brushing your teeth too aggressively can also wear away the enamel of your teeth, depriving them of the protection they need against tooth decay. Wear and tear from brushing too hard usually appears in the form of grooves along the gum line, where the top of the brush has worn away the enamel. These grooves are bad news because it means your teeth are now more vulnerable to tooth decay. You may also experience sensitivity.
3. Sensitive Teeth
Along with wear and tear comes sensitivity. This is due to there not being enough enamel to regulate temperatures properly. If every time you take a sip of a hot or cold drink, you experience sensitivity pain, you may be brushing your teeth too aggressively. If grooves are visible on your teeth, then the two are likely connected.
4. Bleeding Gums
Perhaps the most obvious, and early, sign that you are brushing too hard is bleeding gums. When your gums bleed, it is simply a sign that they have been irritated by trauma or injury. If after brushing then, your teeth bleed, you should take heed. If you continue to brush with too much force, you may damage your teeth and gums and thus require dental treatment.
Do you believe that you have been brushing your teeth too aggressively? See your general dentist and have them assess the damage.
Share12 June 2019
When I had my first child, I was a nervous wreck. Every book I read gave different advice, and I just wanted to be right! By the time I had my third child, some of the stress had abated. I now realised, there were tons of different perspectives on everything related to raising children including dentistry. To help parents, I have created this blog dedicated to unraveling dental myths about children. I am including posts that weigh both sides of issues such as thumb sucking, dental caries, breastfeeding, flossing and any other topic I can think of. I hope you find the information you need to unravel dental myths, but most importantly, I hope you find some peace of mind. With kids and dentistry, there can be more than one right answer, and I want you to be able to relax and go with the answer that's right for you.
