Does Brushing Too Hard Damage Your Gums?

Are you committed to maintaining good dental hygiene? You can brush twice daily, floss once daily, and use mouthwash religiously. You merit praise for your positive practices, no doubt! However, there are also instances where people have grown overly excited about dental hygiene and may brush their teeth too hard. Our Sunrise periodontics expert is available to discuss how proper brushing techniques can protect your smile and how excessive brushing can also destroy it.

Signs You’re Brushing Too Hard

Tooth Decay

Brushing too vigorously can remove the protective enamel from teeth, making them more vulnerable to cavities. People who brush their teeth excessively forcefully frequently develop moon-shaped cavities along the gum line or on the root surface.

You will notice that your teeth don’t look as shiny and dazzling and instead have a deeper, yellow color. This could mean that there is enamel wear from too-vigorous brushing and that the dentin layer beneath the enamel is showing through.

Tooth Sensitivity

Scrubbing your teeth too vigorously with a toothbrush can wear away the enamel and expose the dentin layer, one of the tooth’s inner layers. Since dentin contains nerves, it can be uncomfortable when subjected to drastic temperature changes.

Extreme Toothbrush Wear

You probably brush too vigorously if your toothbrush appears to have come straight out of your pet’s mouth. The optimal time to replace a toothbrush is every three months. When you brush, too much pressure may cause your bristles to become brittle and malformed.

Receding Gums

If you brush too vigorously at the gum line, you risk removing gum tissue and separating the tooth from the root and subgingival tooth structure. This cause may soon lead to sensitivity and, in the long run, gum disease.

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Proper Brushing as Suggested by a Sunrise Periodontics Expert

• Ensure that the toothbrush you are using has gentle bristles.
• Short, tooth-wide strokes with the brush held at a 45-degree angle against your teeth are recommended.
• Although you should be able to feel the bristles against your gums, never press them too hard.
• You may find it easier to use less pressure if you hold your toothbrush in a hand that is not your dominant one.

At Dr. Francisco Montamarta, we aim to give you the best advice for your dental needs. Call us!