Scrubbing you teeth with vigor may seem like the best way to get them thoroughly cleaned; however, this can actually damage your teeth and gums. Learn about why vigorous brushing and flossing can be harmful and how to stop doing this.
Problems Caused By Vigorous Brushing And Flossing
- Gum Damage: Snapping floss up against the gum line can cut it and cause bleeding. Additionally, brushing your teeth too hard can make the gums recede and expose the root of the tooth, leading to other problems.
- Tooth Wear: Brushing your teeth is supposed to clean off food and plaque. However, it is not supposed to rub off tooth enamel. This can happen if you brush too hard and it can result in tooth decay.
What You Need To Know About Correctly Brushing And Flossing Teeth
- It Shouldn’t Hurt: At the most, you may experience discomfort and some bleeding if you have just started flossing. But besides that, brushing and flossing your teeth should not be painful.
- Be Gentle: It doesn’t take a lot of effort to clean off food and plaque. Gently brush with back and forth strokes. Slowly rub floss to slide it up between teeth.
- Use Fluoride: Fluoride can not only protect tooth enamel, but rebuilds it as well. Use toothpaste with fluoride in it to protect the enamel from acids and abrasive forces.
- Twice A Day: Brushing your teeth gently does not mean that they won’t be efficiently cleaned. Brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes time should clean your teeth well. Don’t forget to floss once a day too.
- See Your Dentist: If you are still experiencing problems like bleeding gums even after taking these steps, you may want to see your dentist. There could be another issue at hand.