Brushing your teeth twice a day is a basic and essential step as part of oral hygiene. Although, you need to also be mindful of how you brush your teeth. If you brush your teeth too hard, you’re actually doing more damage to your teeth than you think. This will also call for replacing your toothbrush.
Yes, there is a concept of brushing your teeth too hard. You need to brush your teeth in the right way, and you need to follow the right technique to avoid conditions such as dentin hypersensitivity and damage to your teeth.
The Right Technique To Brush Your Teeth
For your teeth to get the best out of brushing your teeth, follow the below steps to perfect your brushing technique. Later on, we explain just why brushing your teeth with the right technique is so important.
Using A Soft Bristle Brush – First and foremost, make sure you’re brushing your teeth with a soft bristle brush. A soft bristle brush is friendly on your enamel and gums. Excessive brushing with a hard brush is only going to damage your teeth more.
- Place Your Brush At A 45 Degree Angle – Brush at a 45 degree angle towards your gums and gently move your brush in a circular motion against the outer layer of your teeth.
- Move The Brush Towards The Molars – Gently push up and down the back molars of your teeth and inside the tooth surfaces.
- Turn The Brush To The Upper Teeth – Perform the same technique on the inside surfaces of your upper teeth, remember to perform this gently.
- Repeat and Repeat – Follow these steps continuously for a minimum of 2-3 minutes to ensure all contours of your teeth are reached.
- When you’ve brushed your teeth, ensure you spit out the toothpaste and saliva, and rinse your mouth with lukewarm water.
Why Is The Right Technique Important?
Quite simply, if you brush your teeth too hard and in the wrong way, you’ll begin to experience the following symptoms:
Dentin Hypersensitivity – When you brush your teeth too hard, you’re damaging the front surface of your teeth. Your enamel is placed here, and when this becomes damaged, the underlying dentin becomes exposed, causing sensitivity when you eat, and your teeth to become yellow.
Receding Gums – Brushing hard can cause gum recession. Gum recession occurs when the tooth, or the tooth root, become more exposed, forming pockets and gaps where bacteria can penetrate. This is a trigger for gum disease.
Cavities – When you experience sensitivity, you’re at greater risk of a cavity. Brushing hard, and even brushing poorly can expose the tooth root and cause a hole to form at the centre.
Whilst you’re brushing your teeth, to avoid brushing hard, ensure that you slow down and brush gently. Brushing fast and hard offers no benefits to your oral health. Sticking with the above technique will ensure your teeth stay strong and eliminates any symptoms of tooth sensitivity.
Are you due a check-up at the dentist? Contact our Lotus Dental team today for a check-up. Click here to book an appointment now!