It’s important to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss once in order to maintain good oral health. But as the old adage goes, there can be too much of a good thing. If you have no problem remembering your oral health routine all day, your mouth is probably in good shape. But now, there’s a new issue to worry about: how to avoid overbrushing your teeth too much!
How to Avoid Overbrushing Your Teeth
Learn how to avoid overbrushing your teeth in order to strike the perfect balance of oral health care and maintenance. Visit your local top Pomona dentist for more info on managing the perfect oral health routine.
Why Overbrushing is Bad
You should brush your teeth, gums, and tongue every day. But the type of toothbrush you use, and how intensely you brush, can have an impact on the health of your mouth. While daily maintenance is encouraged, there is such a thing as overbrushing.
Also called toothbrush abrasion, overbrushing can damage the gums and the outermost layer of the teeth known as enamel. Enamel is important because it protects the softer and more sensitive layers of your teeth against damage. By brushing too hard, you can wear away at this enamel and damage your tender gums.
Am I Overbrushing?
If you are dedicated to your oral health routine, you might be brushing a little too much or a little too hard. But how do you know if you are brushing the right way or if you are actually hurting yourself? If you use hard-bristled brushes, you might be putting your mouth at risk for too much pain.
Other signs of overbrushing include:
- Bleeding or red gums
- Accelerated gum recession
- Splayed bristles
If you are in pain after you brush, you might be doing it wrong. Keep an eye on the health of your gums and be on the lookout for excessive bleeding. If you already have trouble dealing with these symptoms, you can work on ways to prevent overbrushing your teeth while still improving your oral health.
How to Prevent Overbrushing
Like most actions in life, brushing your teeth has proper form and function. If you aren’t doing it right, you could end up hurting yourself through overbrushing. If you want to get your routine on the right track, try the following brushing tips:
- Use fluoride-based toothpaste that has been approved by dentists in order to deep clean your teeth.
- Don’t brush after you eat, but rather wait an hour after a meal to brush up.
- Don’t brush too hard; let the bristles scrub your teeth but do not apply excessive force.
- Invest in toothbrushes with softer bristles than the ones you have now.
- Replace the head of your toothbrush – or get a new toothbrush – every few months.
It is easy to forget how hard or soft you are brushing your teeth during your daily routine. But keep paying attention to how you are taking care of your mouth, and know to spot when issues arise.
Prevent Gum Disease Today!
Overbrushing can lead to increased exposure in the gums, causing them to bleed and recede. If your gums are consistently red, swollen, or painful, you may be dealing with the early stages of gum disease due to overbrushing. Dental Care of Pomona is your best bet for periodontics in Pomona. Assess the state of your gums and prevent gingivitis and periodontitis by investing in a new oral healthcare routine today.
Getting into the habit of brushing every day is not hard, but learning the right way to brush your teeth can take some time and effort. Get in touch with our experts and schedule an appointment today to learn more about tooth brushing safety.
