Brushing your teeth is one of the easiest, most effective ways to reduce the risk of cavities and gum disease. However, if you brush too forcefully or don’t use the proper technique, you may do more harm than good.
At Gulf Coast Periodontics & Implants in Gulfport, Mississippi, Dr. Caesar Sweidan and Dr. Laura Smith regularly educate patients on the risks of overbrushing.
Keep reading to discover why overbrushing is a problem and how to protect your teeth.
Overbrushing is a term we use to describe brushing your teeth too frequently, too forcefully, or with too much pressure.
It isn’t intentional — no one wants to purposely damage their teeth and gums — but it can easily become a habit if you never learned the proper brushing technique.
Brushing your teeth more than twice daily may not seem like a big deal. After all, it removes plaque from your teeth and keeps your breath fresh.
However, when you brush too much or too forcefully, it increases your risk of various oral health issues, including:
Additionally, overbrushing can wear down your enamel — the hard, outer layer of your teeth. Enamel doesn’t grow back, so once it’s gone, you’re more likely to experience cavities and pain when chewing and biting.
The good news is that overbrushing is preventable. Here are three tips to help protect your teeth:
Toothbrush bristles come in three formats: soft, medium, and hard.
You might assume that hard bristles will clean your teeth more effectively, but that isn’t necessarily the case. A soft bristle toothbrush is just as effective and much less likely to damage your teeth and gums.
Do your toothbrush bristles become flattened or frayed within a week or two of use? This is a telltale sign you’re overbrushing. Since it can be challenging to break this habit, we recommend holding your toothbrush handle with your index finger, middle finger, and thumb rather than your entire hand. This grip helps you apply less pressure, reducing the risk of enamel wear and gum recession.
Overbrushing isn’t the only habit that can damage your teeth and gums.
Habits like biting your nails, chewing on ice, and using your teeth to open packaging can also cause damage.
Doing any of these things makes you more likely to experience enamel damage.
Are you concerned about overbrushing? If so, contact Gulf Coast Periodontics & Implants in Gulfport, Mississippi, to schedule a consultation.
After an oral exam and dental X-rays, we can assess the health of your teeth and gums and make personalized treatment recommendations.
