If a Little is Good

That title might be true if you were donating to your favorite charity. It is not true when it is about your teeth and gums.

We always encourage our patients to regularly brush and floss, which are definitely good for your oral health. However, if you brush your teeth too hard, you might be doing them harm.

“But my teeth are strong, and I have to get the bacteria and plaque off my teeth.” you might think. Yes, you are right, but teeth have their limits, and brushing involves the gums, too.

First, let’s take a look at a tooth. The outside of your tooth is covered by the hardest material in your body: enamel. Enamel stops just below your gumline, a location that is called the dentin-enamel junction.

Dentin is a soft material that lies just underneath the enamel layer. It contains tubules that lead into the tooth’s root where the nerves are. Dentin is completely exposed at the dentin-enamel junction.

Beginning at the dentin-enamel junction, your tooth is fragile and sets your teeth up for decay—and worse.

Here’s what happens. When you vigorously brush your teeth, the bristles also vigorously brush your gums. Harsh brushing can cause your gums to recede, exposing the dentin. So, you begin to notice that your teeth are sensitive to hot, cold and sweet. You have what is called “toothbrush abrasion.”

Toothbrush abrasion causes more than sensitivity. When the gumline recedes, two things can occur. One, the toothbrush bristles can cut a notch in the dentin. If the notch becomes too deep, the tooth can break off. Two, if the gum shrinks too much, it can’t support your tooth. Then, the tooth might fall out.

Once the gum tissue is gone, it doesn’t grow back. This means that you might need gum surgery. For this procedure, gum tissue is removed from one area of your mouth and added to the damaged spot.

Help is on the way.

We have some suggestions to keep your teeth and gums healthy.

Use a soft toothbrush. Use those medium or hard bristled toothbrushes to clean around your sink.

Use a non-abrasive toothpaste with fluoride. Look for toothpaste that is labeled “sensitive.” That means it is not abrasive. However, some toothpastes contain sodium laurel sulfate. This toothpaste may not ease your tooth sensitivity.

Use a good brushing technique. Check your toothbrush. If the bristles are bent, you are using too much pressure when you brush. Hold your toothbrush between your thumb and first two fingers. This applies the right amount of pressure to clean your teeth.

Some electric toothbrushes have a sensor that tells you when you brush too hard.

Remember: A little brushing pressure is good, but more brushing pressure cancels out the good.

If you are experiencing tooth sensitivity, please call our office and schedule an appointment. During the exam we can determine if your sensitivity is from toothbrush abrasion or some other more serious dental or medical condition.

Our goal is to help you keep your oral tissues and teeth healthy so that your teeth can last you a lifetime.