Brushing our teeth is an extremely important part of our oral health; it removes food particles and bacteria within our teeth that could lead to decay and infection. However, too much of a good thing can quickly lead to damaged, sensitive teeth and receding gums.

Overbrushing our teeth (brushing more than twice per day and with force) can wear down the enamel on our teeth’s surfaces, push against our gums and expose sensitive roots. Receding gyms are often a result of overbrushing, and this can lead to a whole host of other dental issues including cavities and periodontal disease, which can be painful and may require further treatment such as fillings, extractions and root canals.

Anyone who overbrushes is at risk of causing harm to their teeth and gums, but those who use medium or hard bristles and brush more than 3 times a day are most susceptible to damage. Those who already have receding gums, clench or grind their teeth or have braces are more vulnerable to damage as a result of overbrushing.

Many people believe that hard brushing more often will help them to remove plaque. However, this is not the case. Plaque is very soft and doesn’t require forceful brushing to remove. It’s important to be thorough with your tooth brushing, but you can do it softly. There are no added benefits to brushing aggressively or more often.

Luckily, you can stop any problems in their tracks by changing your brushing habits. If you have severely affected the health of your teeth and gums, your dentist will be able to provide the best advice for treatment.

Remember these top tips to avoid brushing unnecessarily:

  • -Don’t brush too often- twice a day is enough!
  • -Don’t be too forceful.
  • -Use the right toothbrush- you don’t need hard bristles for effective brushing.
  • -Use the right toothpaste- you don’t need an abrasive toothpaste.
  • -Don’t brush right after eating acidic foods or drinks, as your enamel needs time to recover.

At GAP, we provide a number of great products that can aid you in brushing your teeth. Dr Denti Disclosing tablets can help you to combat plaque, and the Dr Denti Mouthwash tablets are ideal for that fresh and clean feeling.

For more information about any of our products or for any questions you may have, please don’t hesitate to contact the GAP team today by calling us on 01474 560618 or via our contact page.