Do You Brush Your Teeth Too Hard?

As kids, we are all told how necessary it is to brush our teeth properly each day for protection against cavities. Dutifully, many of us grew up vigorously scrubbing our teeth like a maid on steroids trying to remove calcified grit from the shower tile. After all, the harder you scrub, the better the result, right? Wrong. As it turns out, brushing teeth should be executed with a tender touch.

The purpose of tooth brushing is to clear away plaque. This bacteria-laden film resides on teeth and ultimately leads to tooth decay and gum disease. Plaque is only difficult to remove because it hides in the nooks and crannies, but as a substance, it is soft and easily removed by gentle brushing. Of course, flossing is also needed to get to plaque in between teeth. Also, while you may think your teeth are nigh invulnerable to the likes of a soft-bristled toothbrush, but scrubbing too hard over time can actually wear away tooth enamel.

Finally, don’t forget that your teeth are implanted in soft gum tissue. While you must clean along the gum line as well as your teeth, using too much force or a firm toothbrush can actually eat away the thin tissue located where the teeth meet the gum. Once the gum starts to recede away from the base of the tooth, it won’t necessarily grow back. There is no protective cover of enamel on exposed tooth roots. The softer inner layer, called dentin, is more vulnerable to bacteria.

If you’d like more information about proper toothbrushing, call Dr. Kenneth Pollary and our team at Pollary Family Dentistry. Make an appointment at: 719-591-0750, or come by our office in Colorado Springs, Colorado.