When people brush their teeth, they have the best intentions of preserving oral health and protecting tooth strength. Most people brush at least twice a day, because they are often taught from a young age that tooth brushing is key to good oral health. While tooth brushing is the foundation of a strong, healthy smile, many people do not use proper tooth brushing techniques.
Unfortunately, if the teeth are not cleaned properly, and if aggressive force is used, dental damage can occur. Dental damage from aggressive tooth brushing leaves many of our Honolulu, HI patients seeking restorative dentistry treatments to rebuild tooth strength and restore oral health. Dr. Rohinton J. Patel is happy to repair dental damage, but he is just as dedicated to teaching proper dental habits that will allow his patients to avoid dental damage from aggressive tooth brushing.
Types of Dental Damage from Aggressive Tooth Brushing
Tooth brushing is meant to clean the teeth by removing bacteria and food particles that collect in the mouth. Most people are accustomed to using a lot of pressure when cleaning objects, so they tend to push hard against the teeth when brushing. However, it doesn’t require a great deal of force to thoroughly clean the teeth. Actually, excessive force can be harmful.
While aggressive tooth brushing is unlikely to cause sudden damage to the tooth structure, it will slowly break down the tooth’s outer layer of enamel. Over time, aggressive tooth brushing compromises tooth structure and can lead to the following types of dental damage:
- Tooth decay or cavities
- Gum recession
- Increased tooth sensitivity
- Root canal infection
Avoiding Aggressive Tooth Brushing
Most people don’t even realize when they are aggressively brushing their teeth. One way to determine if too much force is being used is to look at your toothbrush. If the bristles of the toothbrush look flat or pushed back, then too much pressure is being used to brush the teeth. The following are some helpful tips to avoid aggressive tooth brushing:
- Choose a toothbrush with a small head and soft bristles
- Use short, gentle strokes when brushing
- Keep the toothbrush angled at 45 degrees
- Move the toothbrush continuously to reach all surfaces of the teeth
Treating Dental Damage
Once dental damage begins, it will continue to get worse until it is treated. Dr. Patel offers a wide range of restorative dentistry treatments that can repair minor to advanced cases of dental damage. These services rebuild tooth structure to improve oral health and restore a protective layer around the sensitive inner layers of the tooth. Dr. Patel can examine the teeth to determine which of these dental services is most appropriate for each patient’s unique situation.
Contact Us
If aggressive tooth brushing has compromised the strength and health of your teeth, restorative dental care can help. Contact us at your earliest convenience to learn more about the comprehensive range of restorative dentistry treatments offered by Dr. Rohinton J. Patel.
