Remember to Take out Your Dentures Every Night

Brushing your teeth twice per day helps in the removal of bacteria and plaque. However, if you scrub too hard, it can actually have a negative impact. If you want to ensure that you keep a healthy smile and dazzling white teeth, here is what you need to know about brushing your teeth right and not too hard.

What Happens If You Brush Your Teeth Too Hard?

The goal of routine dental cleaning, and this includes in the office and at home, is to remove any food residue and plaque that has had a chance to build up on the teeth. This all comes off with minimal effort, as long as you have not allowed the plaque to harden into what is known as tartar. Therefore, a light, yet thorough brushing should be sufficient.

If you brush harder than necessary, you are running the risk of scratching or eroding your tooth enamel which can result in tooth sensitivity and increases your risk of developing cavities. In addition, hard brushing can cause damage to your gum tissue, increasing its susceptibility to gum disease and possibly even exposing the hidden root of your tooth.

How You Can Prevent Brushing Your Teeth Too Hard?

For starters, you should ensure you are only using a toothbrush that has soft bristles—not medium or hard bristles. In doing so, you will make it more difficult for the bristles to scratch your teeth as you are brushing. Plus, the soft bristles are more flexible, allowing them to get into spaces than the toothbrushes with firmer bristles may actually miss during brushing sessions. If possible, you should consider investing in an electric toothbrush that is equipped with a pressure sensor, which will alert you if you start brushing too hard.

Apart from the aforementioned changes, you should schedule an appointment with your family dentist for a thorough dental cleaning. A professional dentist will be able to examine your teeth and gums and determine whether you have been brushing too hard—or even too little—and offer tailored recommendations. If some damage has already occurred to your teeth, the dentist can discuss some restorative options with you based on your budget and situation, which may include fillings, veneers, etc.

If you would like more information about your dental hygiene routine, restorative dental options, or something in between, don't hesitate to reach out to your family dental care clinic for professional help. To learn more, contact a family dentist like Rupp and Grabowski Family Dentistry.