Aggressive Tooth Brushing Problems & Solutions

You’ve probably heard your dentist say that brushing regularly is a good way of maintaining proper oral hygiene and keeping dental diseases at bay. However, overdoing it can cause dental problems that could have a profound effect on your overall health. Here is some more information on this topic:

Why You Should Never Overbrush

Aggressive brushing is one of the leading causes of teeth sensitivity among Americans. This usually occurs over time as aggressive brushing wears the top tooth layer called enamel. As a result, one experiences sensitivity, which is basically the pain caused by exposure of nerve endings ensconced within the teeth’s pulp matter, when eating or drinking hot/cold foods and beverages.

Another problem caused by vigorous brushing is erosion of the gums leading to exposure of the roots that anchor teeth. Such an outcome has several health implications. To start with, it causes teeth sensitivity. Secondly and more worryingly, it increases the risk of developing periodontal diseases and cavities. If left untreated, cavities could become a source of extreme pain and make eating solid foods an impossible task. What’s more, the problem could require an expensive dental procedure, such as tooth extraction, root canal or dental filling, to fix it.

 

Risk Factors

According to the Wall Street Journal, between 10 and 20% of Americans are aggressive brushers. This group largely consists of people who are extremely concerned about their oral health as well as people who use toothbrushes that have hard bristles. It is also worth noting that some people are genetically predisposed to have receding gums, making them more prone to gum damage if they brush aggressively. Adopting a diet that consists of highly acidic foods and beverages is another risk factor associated with vigorous brushing.

Solutions

The good news for people prone to brush aggressively is they can take steps to remedy this problem. A good starting point is only using a soft-bristled toothbrush to prevent premature wearing down of the enamel and gums. At the same time, it is advisable to start using toothpaste products specifically made for people with sensitive teeth. For people who brush too many times a day, dentists recommend reducing this frequency to twice daily. Moreover, the time spent brushing should be no more than two to three minutes. Other solutions include brushing gently, avoiding acidic foods, and brushing in circular motion instead of moving toothbrush back and forth across teeth.

Conclusion

Aggressive brushing can cause dental problems such teeth sensitivity, cavities and periodontal diseases. Some of the measures you can take to prevent this problem include using a soft-bristled toothbrush and toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth. Additionally, you should eat acidic foods sparingly.

If you have any dental care questions or concerns, it is important that you schedule a dental checkup immediately. At Family Dental Service, we prioritize all of  your dental health needs. Our professional and caring staff includes 2 full-time general dentists and 4 full-time hygienists in our Allentown PA office.  We also have specialists such as an oral surgeon, orthodontist and an endodontist. Call us today to schedule an appointment.


Aggressive Tooth Brushing Problems & Solutions