Regular brushing is vital to maintaining good oral hygiene. While thorough brushing is important for removing plaque and preventing cavities and gum disease, brushing too hard or aggressively can do more harm than good. Learn the consequences of brushing your teeth too hard and tips for achieving effective but gentle oral care.
Gum Recession: One of the most common consequences of brushing too hard is gum recession. When you brush with excessive force, you will wear or scrub away the gum tissue, causing it to shrink or pull back from the teeth. This exposes more of the tooth’s surface, making it more susceptible to decay, and causes tooth sensitivity and an increased risk of gum disease.
Tooth Sensitivity: Aggressive brushing can damage the protective outer enamel layer of teeth, also causing increased tooth sensitivity. Exposed dentin, the layer beneath the enamel, contains tiny tubules that allow stimuli such as hot, cold, sweet, or acidic foods to reach the teeth’ nerves more easily, resulting in sensitivity and discomfort.