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Do you brush your teeth? Congratulations, you’re already on your way to maintaining a healthy smile. But, did you know that you can brush your teeth too hard? Yes, you read that correctly, brushing with too much pressure can cause damage to your teeth and gums. Most people that overbrush don’t even know that they are damaging their smile. Keep reading to learn the signs to tell if you’re brushing too hard and the issues brushing with heavy pressure can cause for your teeth and gums from a dentist in South Austin.

WHY IS BRUSHING TOO HARD HARMFUL?

Brushing your teeth too hard can also be known as overbrushing. People who overbrush usually have excellent dental habits so they won’t even know they’re doing it. Although your teeth should be brushed twice a day, every day, overbrushing can harm your enamel and gums. This can lead to gum recession, enamel wear, and tooth sensitivity, which can be detrimental to the work you’ve already been putting into your oral healthcare.

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF BRUSHING TOO HARD?

Typically, your dentist will be able to tell during your visit if you are brushing too hard. Here are some signs you can be on the look out for to make sure you aren’t overbrushing:

• Receding gums
• Enamel wear
• Cavities on the roots of teeth
• Tooth sensitivity

Fortunately, these signs can be stopped in their tracks if you recognize them and start brushing with the right amount of pressure.

HOW CAN I BRUSH PROPERLY?

Overbrushing can be an easy fix compared to other dental issues. The first step you can take towards better brushing is to replace your brush every 3 months. If your bristles look frayed, they’ve probably lost their softened edges, so you’ll be scraping your teeth with hard edges of the bristles that weren’t meant to clean.

It sounds easy but be gentle. If you’re brushing and the bristles of your toothbrush are bending, you are applying too much pressure. Make sure you don’t scrub your teeth back and forth, but use small, circular strokes to cover each tooth. This will minimize the chance of harmful abrasion.

Last but not least, be certain that you are using the right brush for you. If you’ve noticed signs of overbrushing or you have tooth sensitivity, stick to soft-bristled brushes. These will do a great job like harder bristled brushes, but they won’t damage your enamel or gums.

After reading, you now know that too much of a good thing like brushing can actually be harmful to your oral health. Use our tips and signs to watch out for to make sure you aren’t overbrushing!

MEET THE DENTIST

Dr. Jack Fan currently practices at The Dental Centre, where his favorite part of his job is knowing that he makes people look and feel better every day. He is a member of the American Dental Association, Texas Dental Association, and more dentistry related groups to always stay up-to-date on the latest technology and techniques. He can be contacted through his website or by phone at (512) 361-4288 for any questions.