While brushing your teeth with the right toothbrush is important, it’s also important to brush with care. Too many people brush too hard, thinking that this extra gusto will help them to get their teeth cleaned. What they don’t realize is that this vigorous brushing can actually do damage to the teeth, causing more harm than good in the long run.

Most adults will experience a cavity at some point in their lives, and those who take strict care of their teeth might wonder just how this is possible. You brush after eating problem foods, you brush at least twice a day no matter what, and you brush with the right amount of pressure to not cause damage. What you could be doing wrong is simply brushing too hard and damaging your tooth’s protective layers.

What Happens When You Brush Too Hard

When you brush too hard, you might not notice any damage for a number of years. However, by this point, it can be hard to get out of the habit of brushing too hard in the first place. Even better than using an ultra-soft toothbrush, which may not get your teeth completely clean, the ZentFlex toothbrush can re-train you to brush your teeth more softly, effectively cleaning your teeth without doing more harm than good. What happens when you brush too hard? A few things can happen:

·      You wear away enamel – When you brush too hard, you’re actually scratching away the enamel on the surface of your teeth. This is your teeth’s protective layer, guarding the inner portions of the tooth from being eaten away by decay. Brushing too hard causes scratches in the enamel and enamel wear, meaning you may experience cavities more frequently.

·      Your teeth become discolored – For many, the reason they brush hard is to try to “brush away” the stains on the surface of their teeth. While brushing vigorously might take out the stain on a shirt or a carpet, it doesn’t work the same way for teeth. The enamel on the surface of the tooth is what gives teeth their shiny white color, and brushing away this enamel can actually cause this discoloration to become worse.

·      Receding gums – Gum recession can cause tooth sensitivity, tooth loss, and a whole host of other problems. Using a toothbrush for receding gums is important, but so is making sure to brush gently as not to do further damage to the gums. 

Am I Brushing Too Hard?

There are a few signs you can look for to determine if you’re brushing your teeth too hard. First and foremost, take a look at your toothbrush. If it looks as if it has been put through the wringer after a couple of months that’s typically the result of brushing too hard. Your toothbrush bristles should remain straight even after months of everyday use. It’s never too late to learn how to brush your teeth softly and effectively, and if you’re looking for the right toothbrush to re-train you on brushing your teeth, we have just what you need at ZentFlex.