The Dangers of Over Brushing
There is a common belief that it is impossible to get one's teeth too clean or to brush them too much.
While this seems like it would be true, there really is a danger of over brushing one's teeth.
The problem isn't for the teeth as much as it is a problem for the gums.
As toothpaste companies have developed ever more abrasive whitening toothpastes with all sorts of things in them that can abrade the surface of the teeth, so called "toothpaste abuse" has become more and more evident.
This situation occurs when a person uses his or her toothpaste excessively and brushes the teeth so hard that his or her gums start to recede and pull away from the teeth.
The gums are basically pulling away from the item that is hurting them.
Another problem with the current, modern dental industry is that the brushes available are frequently very abrasive, once their polish has worn away.
The individual bristles are polished before the toothbrush is put on the market.
This makes them less abrasive to the teeth.
Unfortunately, people do not necessarily replace their brushes immediately when the polish wears away.
This allows the very abrasive unpolished bristles to rub at the teeth and the gums.
Once again, the gums will start to recede in an effort to get away from the painful experience.
When the gums recede, the cementum, a softer part of the tooth, is left exposed.
This part of the tooth is much more likely to be abraded since it is so much softer than the parts of the tooth protected by the enamel.
This speeds up the entire process and can be a very painful experience for an individual who has experienced the problem.
While toothpaste abuse is serious, it can be prevented.
The American Dental Association, or ADA, still recommends that people brush their teeth twice a day.
Part of this recommendation is to ensure that a person removes bacteria from his or her mouth twice a day.
A number of dentists have started recommending that a person save his or her most thorough cleaning for just before bed since the bacteria in one's mouth will just be allowed to sit in the mouth all night.
It is very important to remove as much as possible before bed.
For people who are prone to brushing their teeth too hard, electric toothbrushes may be the solution to the problem.
The brushes are softer and don't require a brusher to use as much pressure to get the same amount of clean.
While this seems like it would be true, there really is a danger of over brushing one's teeth.
The problem isn't for the teeth as much as it is a problem for the gums.
As toothpaste companies have developed ever more abrasive whitening toothpastes with all sorts of things in them that can abrade the surface of the teeth, so called "toothpaste abuse" has become more and more evident.
This situation occurs when a person uses his or her toothpaste excessively and brushes the teeth so hard that his or her gums start to recede and pull away from the teeth.
The gums are basically pulling away from the item that is hurting them.
Another problem with the current, modern dental industry is that the brushes available are frequently very abrasive, once their polish has worn away.
The individual bristles are polished before the toothbrush is put on the market.
This makes them less abrasive to the teeth.
Unfortunately, people do not necessarily replace their brushes immediately when the polish wears away.
This allows the very abrasive unpolished bristles to rub at the teeth and the gums.
Once again, the gums will start to recede in an effort to get away from the painful experience.
When the gums recede, the cementum, a softer part of the tooth, is left exposed.
This part of the tooth is much more likely to be abraded since it is so much softer than the parts of the tooth protected by the enamel.
This speeds up the entire process and can be a very painful experience for an individual who has experienced the problem.
While toothpaste abuse is serious, it can be prevented.
The American Dental Association, or ADA, still recommends that people brush their teeth twice a day.
Part of this recommendation is to ensure that a person removes bacteria from his or her mouth twice a day.
A number of dentists have started recommending that a person save his or her most thorough cleaning for just before bed since the bacteria in one's mouth will just be allowed to sit in the mouth all night.
It is very important to remove as much as possible before bed.
For people who are prone to brushing their teeth too hard, electric toothbrushes may be the solution to the problem.
The brushes are softer and don't require a brusher to use as much pressure to get the same amount of clean.
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