You may have never thought about it before, but it is possible -- and quite common -- for patients to brush their teeth with too much force. One telltale sign of this habit may be reflected in your toothbrush: if your toothbrush bristles are splayed out in every direction, you are probably brushing too hard. Time to replace that toothbrush!
Besides damaging your toothbrush, you can also damage your teeth and gums by brushing too hard. Over time, excessive brushing force can actually wear away tooth enamel. Toothbrush abrasion is typically seen along margin of the tooth where it meets the gums and may contribute to gum recession. The enamel that is worn away does not grow back, so this is one habit that you need to break!
If you think you’re brushing too hard, take a look at how you hold your toothbrush. We don’t want to see any of those death grips like you’re hanging on for dear life! For reference, pick up your toothbrush and try brushing by holding it with only your thumb and index finger. This is as much pressure or force that you need to be using. You may find that you don’t have as much control when using two fingers, so please feel free to stabilize your toothbrush with your other fingers, but don’t increase that pressure! It’s a good idea to test yourself from time to time to make sure that you haven’t slipped back into your old habits!
If you would like some further instruction or a demonstration, give our Greenville, SC, dental office a call!
