{"id":388,"date":"2021-11-01T19:11:00","date_gmt":"2021-11-01T19:11:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nyhowarddds.com\/blog\/?p=388"},"modified":"2021-11-19T19:11:09","modified_gmt":"2021-11-19T19:11:09","slug":"are-you-brushing-your-teeth-too-hard","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nyhowarddds.com\/blog\/2021\/11\/01\/are-you-brushing-your-teeth-too-hard\/","title":{"rendered":"Question: Are You Brushing Your Teeth Too Hard?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nyhowarddds.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Picture1-1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Closeup of woman brushing her teeth\" class=\"wp-image-389\" width=\"237\" height=\"158\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nyhowarddds.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Picture1-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.nyhowarddds.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Picture1-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.nyhowarddds.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Picture1-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.nyhowarddds.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Picture1-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.nyhowarddds.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Picture1-1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 237px) 100vw, 237px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Be honest\u2026 Do you go on autopilot when you brush? If so, you may be unintentionally carrying out bad dental habits, like brushing your teeth too hard. This is common since many patients are under the impression that removing food particles, plaque, and bacteria requires applying an immense amount of pressure. However, that\u2019s simply not the case. Keep reading to learn five signs you\u2019re brushing your teeth too hard, the detrimental consequences, and tips for brushing properly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5 Signs You Are Brushing Your Teeth Too Hard<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Although it can be tempting to just go through the emotions during your morning and evening oral hygiene routine, it\u2019s important to be intentional and keep an eye out for the below signs:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Receding gums<\/li><li>Bleeding when you brush or floss<\/li><li>Tooth sensitivity<\/li><li>Dental discoloration<\/li><li>Oral pain\/discomfort<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Brushing Too Hard Can Damage Your Smile<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>At first, brushing too hard may not seem like a big deal. However, if this becomes a habit, you can experience a number of dental problems. To start, vigorous brushing can wear away your enamel, leaving you more vulnerable to cavities. Additionally, it can lead to receding gums and even gum disease, which may require <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhowarddds.com\/periodontal-therapy.html\">periodontal therapy<\/a> if left unchecked. So, brushing too hard can negatively affect multiple aspects of your oral health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Brush Your Teeth Properly<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The good news is that there is no time like the present to turn over a new leaf. The best place to start is with the right tools, like a soft-bristled toothbrush. Next, place the head of your toothbrush at a 45-degree-angle and move the bristles in a scrubbing motion. Apply just enough pressure for two full minutes (remember, the bristles should not be squashed against your gums).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6 Additional Tips for Healthy Teeth and Gums<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Pristine oral health requires proper brushing, but there are a few other best practices you should be implementing as well:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Flossing and rinsing with mouthwash daily.<\/li><li>Limiting your sugar consumption.<\/li><li>Quitting unhealthy dental habits.<\/li><li>Visiting your dentist biannually for a dental checkup and cleaning.<\/li><li>Eating a vitamin-rich diet.<\/li><li>Drinking plenty of water.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Keeping your smile in tip-top shape throughout the years takes work, and that starts with proper brushing techniques. Luckily, the above tips can help you along your way, but don\u2019t hesitate to ask for more during your next checkup and cleaning!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">About the Author<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>For more than three decades now, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhowarddds.com\/meet-dr-howard.html\">Dr. Nelson Howard<\/a> has dedicated his days to helping patients improve their oral health. Whether that\u2019s sharing at-home oral healthcare tips or providing meticulous checkups \u2013 he\u2019s happiest when he\u2019s helping others! His dedication to his craft has led him to be awarded the International College of Dentists Award, too. So, if you have a question pertaining to the health of your smile, are struggling with bleeding gums, or need to schedule your six-month checkup, don\u2019t hesitate to visit his <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhowarddds.com\/contact.html\">website<\/a> or call <strong>760-599-6559<\/strong>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Be honest\u2026 Do you go on autopilot when you brush? If so, you may be unintentionally carrying out bad dental habits, like brushing your teeth too hard. This is common since many patients are under the impression that removing food particles, plaque, and bacteria requires applying an immense amount of pressure. However, that\u2019s simply not [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v22.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Are You Brushing Your Teeth Too Hard? l Nelson Howard, DDS<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Do you experience bleeding or irritation after brushing? If so, then you may be brushing your teeth too hard. 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