What Happens to Your Enamel When You Brush Too Harshly
Posted on 4/15/2020 by Dr. Michael Wockenfus
When brushing your teeth, you are trying to get your teeth as clean as possible. You may be wondering if brushing in a rougher manner will give you better results. You might be surprised to find out that those results are quite the opposite of what you might expect!
Why Scrubbing Harshly Is Bad For Your Teeth
Many people like to brush their teeth aggressively because they are thinking that will make them cleaner and whiter. The truth is that this is having a negative effect on your enamel. Your enamel not only is what helps make your teeth appear whiter and glossier, but it is also what fights against tooth decay.
Brushing is a gentle process that is more like waxing a car rather than using a scratch pad on the floor. Dentists recommend that a toothbrush should last anywhere between 2-3 months and if you find yourself tossing them out constantly, you might want to be more gentle with brushing.
Brushing Tips
The recommended technique for brushing is to make gentle tooth-wide back and forth strokes; this applies to all the parts of your teeth. Soft-bristled toothbrushes are the best as they are a lot less likely to wear away your enamel. If you are wanting to make sure your teeth are clean, it is recommended to spend two minutes brushing. Yes, that may feel a bit excessive for some, but slow and steady wins the race as they say!
Toothpaste also plays a big role in cleanliness. Any ADA-Accepted toothpaste will work provided the toothpaste caters to any specific needs you might have.
Your teeth are both resilient and delicate and so brushing them too aggressively will have the opposite effect of what you are trying to do. Call us for a scheduled appointment to check on your oral health.
Dental Blog | Dentist Menasha, WI | Mid Valley Dental, S.C. Michael J. Wockenfus, DDS created a blog to educate the community. It is your resource for all dentistry questions. Learn and read topics in the blog here! Mid Valley Dental, SC, 903 E. Airport Road, Menasha, WI 54952 + (920) 215-4160 + midvalleydental.com + 10/14/2024 + Page Terms:dentist Menasha WI +
When brushing your teeth, you are trying to get your teeth as clean as possible. You may be wondering if brushing in a rougher manner will give you better results. You might be surprised to find out that those results are quite the opposite of what you might expect!
