Is Brushing Your Teeth Doing More Harm than Good?

The short answer is, “probably not.” Chances are, even if you are brushing your teeth with less-than-perfect technique, it is still beneficial to your oral health. That being said, there are several things to keep in mind while brushing that will ensure healthy teeth and gums.

1. Choose the Right Toothbrush
   For most people, a soft-bristled brush is your best bet. Unlike your bathroom floor, your teeth aren’t best cleaned by intense scrubbing. In fact, brushing with stiff bristles and lots of pressure can wear away your enamel and cause receding gums, leading to sensitive teeth.
2. Brush Gently
   Again, brushing too hard is tough on your enamel and gums. Instead of holding your toothbrush with your whole hand (like you hold a microphone), try holding it with just your thumb and pointer finger, or you thumb, pointer finger, and middle finger. Having less of a grip on your toothbrush may help you decrease the amount of pressure you use to clean your teeth.
3. Stop Brushing at the Wrong Time
   Believe it or not, there IS a wrong time to brush your teeth. Brushing your teeth immediately after a meal can be harmful to teeth, especially if you’ve eaten something acidic. Instead, swish with water to rinse the acid from your teeth and wait at least 30 minutes to brush. Acidic food can weaken enamel, and brushing while the enamel is weakened can do more harm than good. Examples of acidic foods are citrus fruits like oranges and lemons. (Note that with foods high in carbohydrates and sugars, this rule does not apply. Since those foods encourage the growth of bacteria in your mouth for about 20 minutes after consumption, brushing immediately after meals is recommended.)

Of course, we strongly encourage you to floss in addition to brushing, as it further reduces your chances of developing gingivitis, and keeps your smile looking great.

Happy Brushing!