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Posted on 7/13/2019 by Dick Hikade, DDS |
 Brushing your teeth is a part of good oral health. It is something we remind people to do every time they come to our office. While it is important to brush your teeth regularly, there are some that may take that too far. They may brush their teeth more than they should and instead of improving their oral health, they could cause damage to their teeth and gums. Learning how often to brush is as important as learning how to brush properly. How Often to BrushTo find out what happens if you brush too much, you first have to learn how much you should brush. For most people brushing your teeth twice a day is good for your oral health. Most will brush their teeth when they wake up in the morning and before they go to bed. Some may add brushing their teeth in the afternoon.When you brush your teeth, you should brush for two minutes. This gives you the time to brush all your teeth and your tongue. What Happens When You Brush More Often?There are two ways that you can brush more. You can brush more than 3 times a day or you can brush for more than 2 minutes. If you brush for more than this, you are putting your teeth and gums at risk.Overbrushing can cause irritation to your gums. It can create spaces where bacteria can grow and that are difficult to clean. The overbrushing can also cause erosion of the enamel. The enamel is the protective layer of the teeth. If it is gone, the teeth are at a greater risk for decay and disease. There are times when you may need to brush more than the recommended amount. You may eat something that stains your teeth or have some other issue. These should not happen regularly if you want to keep your teeth and gums as healthy as possible. For more information about this or any other oral health issue, contact our office to schedule an appointment. |
