Over brushing is a common problem that can damage your teeth and gums. It occurs when you brush your teeth too hard, too often, or with a hard-bristled toothbrush. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to fix over brushing and get your oral health back on track.
What is over brushing?
Over brushing refers to brushing your teeth with excessive force, frequency, and/or abrasiveness. It goes beyond the recommended twice daily brushing for 2 minutes per session.
Signs that you may be over brushing include:
- Sensitive teeth
- Receding gums
- Tooth enamel wearing down
- Exposed tooth roots
Over brushing can lead to several oral health problems such as gum recession, thinning enamel, tooth sensitivity, cavities, and more. It removes critical protective tissues like enamel and can cause permanent damage over time.
What causes over brushing?
There are a few key factors that can contribute to over brushing:
- Using too much force – Brushing aggressively with too much pressure can wear down enamel and hurt gums.
- Brushing too often – Brushing more than the recommended twice daily can be too abrasive for your teeth.
- Using a hard toothbrush – Hard bristles combined with too much force is a recipe for enamel damage.
- Brushing improperly – Not using proper brushing technique can lead to excess abrasion in certain areas.
Some other factors like acidic foods, grinding teeth, and medical conditions can also make teeth more susceptible to over brushing damage.
How to tell if you are over brushing
Here are some signs and symptoms that may indicate you are over brushing:
- Tooth sensitivity – This can range from mild to severe sharp pains.
- Receding gums – Gums may appear pulled back from the teeth.
- Exposed roots – More of the tooth root becomes visible as enamel wears down.
- Cavities along the gumline – Brushing too hard can cause gum recession and expose more tooth surface to decay.
- Worn down teeth – Teeth may appear thinner or slightly transparent at the edges.
- Notching in teeth – Small notches can form near the gums from abrasion.
- Grooves on teeth – Areas brushed excessively can develop grooves worn into the enamel.
Pay attention to any symptoms after brushing. Discomfort, sensitivity, or changes you notice can indicate a problem. See your dentist promptly if you are experiencing any of these signs.
How to prevent and stop over brushing
There are several effective ways you can prevent and correct over brushing:
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush – This is less abrasive on enamel and gums.
- Apply gentle pressure – Don’t scrub hard. Let the bristles do the work.
- Avoid horizontal scrubbing – Use short vertical motions instead.
- Brush for 2 minutes, twice daily – Don’t overdo the frequency and duration.
- Choose a non-abrasive toothpaste – Some contain extra abrasives for whitening that can worsen the problem.
- Monitor your brushing – Pay attention to pressure and technique.
- See your dentist regularly – For professional cleanings and to monitor your oral health.
You may also need to give your mouth a break to allow your gums and enamel to recover after over brushing. Switch to a soft toothbrush and avoid any whitening toothpastes. Brush gently until symptoms improve.
Professional treatments for over brushing
Your dentist has several options to help treat over brushing and allow your oral tissues to heal:
- Topical treatments – Special medicated gels and solutions can be applied to areas of sensitivity to help numb and heal them.
- Bonding – A resin material applied to worn areas to reshape and rebuild damaged teeth.
- Gum grafting – Surgical grafting of gum tissue in areas with significant recession.
- Fluoride treatments – In-office intensive fluoride applications help strengthen enamel.
- Oral hygiene instruction – Your dentist can provide customized brushing advice and techniques.
Be sure to follow your dentist’s at-home care instructions and return for follow-up appointments to monitor your condition. Addressing over brushing early leads to the best long-term outcomes.
How to prevent over brushing in the future
Once your over brushing is resolved, maintaining proper brushing habits is key to prevention. Here are some tips:
- Use a soft bristle toothbrush and brush gently
- Brush for 2 minutes, twice per day
- Floss once daily
- Don’t brush right after eating acidic foods
- Use fluoride toothpaste
- Don’t brush harder in any problem areas – this will only cause more damage
- Have regular dental cleanings and exams
Be mindful of your brushing technique and pressure. Let up on force if you experience any discomfort or sensitivity. A timer and a light touch will help you brush adequately without overdoing it.
When to see a dentist
Consult your dentist promptly if you notice any symptoms of over brushing. The sooner it is addressed, the better the long-term outlook. See a dentist for evaluation and treatment if you experience:
- Tooth sensitivity or pain
- Gums that appear red, swollen, or tender
- Receding gums
- Changes in tooth appearance like notching, thinning, or exposed roots
- Cavities, especially around the gumline
- Grooves worn into teeth
Schedule a dental exam if you think you may be over brushing. Your dentist can assess your oral health, rule out other causes of symptoms, and provide specific guidance to help prevent further damage.
Key Takeaways
- Over brushing is brushing too aggressively, often, or with a hard brush leading to enamel and gum damage.
- Signs include tooth sensitivity, receding gums, worn enamel, and exposed roots.
- Use a soft brush, light pressure, and proper technique to prevent over brushing.
- See a dentist promptly if you notice any symptoms or changes.
- Treatments like gum grafts, bonding, fluoride, and oral hygiene instruction can help resolve over brushing issues.
Conclusion
Over brushing can happen to anyone but is fixable with the right modifications to your oral hygiene routine. Switching to a soft brush, brushing gently twice daily, and visiting your dentist regularly can help get your teeth and gums back on the right track. Pay attention to any signs of over brushing and see your dentist promptly to avoid permanent damage. With some simple adjustments and vigilant at-home care, you can reverse existing damage and maintain healthy teeth and gums.