It’s incredibly important to brush your teeth properly and regularly. But brushing too hard can really hurt your teeth and gums. 

Regularly brushing too hard can lead to tooth abrasion, and it’s a common problem. 

When you brush too hard it wears down the tooth enamel. Your tooth enamel is the protective outer layer of your tooth. If it’s compromised, it leads to problems with your teeth, including discolouration, cracks and chips, sensitivity, and tooth decay.

Brushing too hard is also bad for your gums. When you brush hard on your gums, it can push them down (or up) and expose your teeth’s sensitive root area. This is called gum recession. Gum recession exposes the cementum on the tooth roots, which is much more vulnerable than tooth enamel. Your cementum is softer and can be easily worn away and damaged.  

A common misconception is that brushing harder will remove more plaque. Plaque is actually very easy to remove because it is soft. Instead of brushing harder, brush more thoroughly and floss regularly so that you’re not missing any parts of your teeth.

You can also get tooth abrasion from using bristles that are too hard. Toothbrushes come in different stiffness in the bristles. Always opt for soft bristle toothbrushes instead of medium or hard to save your enamel and gums.  

At Dental Image Therapy Centres, we take a look at your teeth and gums for signs of tooth abrasion so that we can give you tips on how to brush properly for a confident smile. Are you looking to schedule a checkup and cleaning? Book one today at either of our dental clinics, located in St. Vital Centre and Garden City Shopping Centre.