Tooth brushing is good for you, so more tooth brushing can only be better, right? Wrong. Overbrushing can actually be detrimental to your dental health. If you're brushing too hard or too much, it could lead to increased tooth sensitivity and receding gums, the latter of which could require surgery.
To find out if you're brushing too hard, and for tips on how to stop, read more.
If you go to the dentist for regular checkups, he or she will be able to tell you if you're overbrushing. But if you notice your gums pulling away from your teeth, exposing the root surfaces and causing sensitivity or bleeding, that could be a sign that you need to lighten up.
To alleviate the problem, make sure you are using a soft or extra soft toothbrush, and lightly grip the brush so it hits at a 45-degree angle. Also, electric toothbrushes are great for overbrushers, since they have two-minute timers and require no back-and-forth movement. So if you're scrubbing away, just remember to lighten up!
Have you ever been told by your dentist to lighten up? Share the details in the comments section below.
6ixty 8ight
L'Wren Scott
Killah
I've never been told to calm down the brushing, but I definitely have receding gums. I'm sort of hoping that since I've lightened up my brushing technique they'll come back.
1I have been told this, I have super thin enamel due to acidic saliva so I have to be very gentle while brushing.
2I know about this firsthand - just had to have surgery because my gums were receeding.
They had to take tissue from the roof of my mouth and transfer it to a few different spots along my gums. It wasn't pleasant and my insurance only covered a small part of it - leaving me with a hefty bill.
3I like my hard toothbrush though...I wouldn't feel like my teeth were clean without it!
4I agree with ashcwebb. The soft brushes feel like they don't clean at all. Maybe I should invest in a electric toothbrush.
5I have the newest Sonicare toothbrush that I LOVE, but for rough brushers, there is a Braun or Oral B (I forgot which one) that makes an electric toothbrush that tells you if you're pushing too hard.
6firgirlFL, that sounds so painful! Thanks for the extra motivation.
I definitely have the brushing too hard problem. Sometimes I get so overzealous with it that my arm hurts. I'm not exaggerating.
I've had to switch to soft bristles. I've also been trying to get used to one of those battery operated brushes first, because my dentist wants me to switch to an electric one. Maybe I'll try the one that tells you you're pushing too hard. MandyJoBo, I had no idea there was one that did that. Thanks for mentioning it.
7Oops, I meant fitgirlFL, not fir!
8my mom is a dental hygenist. some tips she gave me: avoid brushing teeth that are closed. open teeth and then brush the top and bottom seperately. Next, regular flossing helps prevent gums from bleeding when they are flossed. this is how my mom can tell if i floss regularly or not. Finally, when brushing, try not to brush back and forth, more in soft circles instead of linear motions.
9I know that I brush too hard, and I even bought the softest toothbrush I could find (http://curaprox.com/products/curaprox/cs_5460.php?Language=en), but it didn't really stop me. I guess I'll just save for some good electric toothbrush.
10Just an FYI for the first girl, if you gums are receeding on the outside of your teeth, it won't grow back.
Only the gums on the roof or floor of your mouth regenerate. The teeth are held in place w/ membranes formed by the gums. Once those start to deteriorate/receed, it's time to have someone look at it. They won't come back naturally.
My sister and my father both had the procedure done.
11My dentist told me to make sure I hold my tootbrush like a pencil to keep the pressure gentle (if you hold a pencil the "correct" way). I had been holding it like a joystick
12No, my dentist always says I do a good job brushing...I don't think I brush too hard at all.
13Yes, you do need to be careful with how hard you're brushing. I'm a Hygienist and I see patients all the time with receding gums and tooth sensitivity around the gum line. Plaque is loosely adhered to teeth, so gentle brushing removes the film. Remember that brushing should take at least 2 minutes. Electric toothbrushes work best because people seem to brush longer with them and the motion of the bristles sweep away more plaque with less effort than a manual toothbrush.
14My dentist said I needed to stop using the expensive Sonicare toothbrush I thought was making my teeth healthier and cleaner. Turns out it was basically blasting my gums off my teeth! Yikes! I'll take the $5.00 plastic brush over that $120 behemoth any day!
15Oh yes I have been having some pain recently-time to get a soft brush!
16hard bristle brushes should be taken off the market! gum recession is a huge problem and it weakens your delicate enamel as well. honestly ladies, stop brushing so hard :0 we all want a pretty smile right? not gummy yellowed chompers.
17I had a dentist appointment/check up yesterday. My problem was I wasn't flossing correctly. :/
18I always get told to lighten up. I use an electric toothbrush, but I'm so paranoid about getting a cavity or something that I usually go 2 cycles twice a day.
What's hard is that the symptoms of over-brushing are almost identical to not brushing enough (the yuck mouth): receding gums, tooth pain and sensitivity, etc... but if your gums bleed with flossing or light brushing, you're not brushing enough.
19I just had soft tissue grafts two days ago for receeding gums due to both hard brushing and orthodontic trauma. LET ME TELL YOU - THIS HURTS! The surgery was 2 hours long and it was done under LOCAL (no gas, no knocking out). There are seven stitches on the roof of my mouth, where the tissue was harvested. There are several stitches on my gumline (and wrapping around my teeth) where the tissue was replaced. I cannot chew for at least 8 weeks before I can chew anything on that side of my mouth. PLEASE - brush lightly.
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