{"id":178,"date":"2018-09-06T19:03:48","date_gmt":"2018-09-06T19:03:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.weldondentistry.com\/blog\/?p=178"},"modified":"2018-09-19T19:12:16","modified_gmt":"2018-09-19T19:12:16","slug":"dentist-in-ocala-asks-brushing-teeth-too-hard","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.weldondentistry.com\/blog\/dentist-in-ocala-asks-brushing-teeth-too-hard\/","title":{"rendered":"Dentist in Ocala Asks: You Brushing Your Teeth Too Hard?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"AAccording to the American Dental Association, individuals should be brushing their teeth for at least two minutes at a time. In some cases, people can benefit from brushing for three minutes if they\u2019re more vulnerable to decay and gum disease. However, you shouldn\u2019t be brushing any longer than that, as doing so does not work to remove more plaque.<\/p>\n

Additionally, brushing for too hard can lead to problems that permanently damage your teeth and gums, according to a dentist in Ocala<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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How Overbrushing Damages Teeth and Gums<\/h2>\n

Those who apply too much force when brushing or use a toothbrush with hard bristles are truly setting themselves up for failure. Not only is brushing with great force or with anything other than a soft-bristled toothbrush unnecessary, but doing so wears down the glossy outer layer of your enamel. Remember, when enamel is worn away, whether it\u2019s from drinking soda over several years or brushing too hard, it\u2019s gone forever.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, you aren\u2019t only damaging your teeth by overbrushing. As a result of your enamel wearing away, your gums begin to recede over time. This will eventually begin to expose the tooth roots, which are far more susceptible to decay and infection.<\/p>\n

The bottom line is if you want to prevent enamel erosion and premature gum recession, you\u2019ll need to confirm if you\u2019re current oral care habits are more harmful than helpful for your oral health.<\/p>\n

How to Tell If Your Overbrushing<\/h2>\n

One of the most common signs of overbrushing is tooth sensitivity. It doesn\u2019t matter whether you feel it while brushing or not, but feeling it at all is a sign that something is not right. You\u2019ll also want to take a closer look at your current enamel and see if it appears yellow. Even if you brush twice a day and use a whitening toothpaste, the enamel will begin to wear down and start showing the naturally yellow dentin layer underneath if you overbrush.<\/p>\n

Finally, take a look at your current toothbrush. If you\u2019ve had it for less than three months, it should still look relatively like how it did when you popped it out of the box. However, if your brush is looking flattened and frayed after less than three months of use, it means you\u2019re overbrushing.<\/p>\n

The Proper Way to Brush<\/h2>\n

To prevent enamel erosion and gum recession, take note of the following tips to avoid overbrushing:<\/p>\n