Dental Damage and Aggressive Tooth Brushing By Patrick Casey on August 31, 2017

If you’ve ever owned a brand-new car, you know exactly how careful you are when you wash it. You take special care not to use too much force as you gently remove dirt and dust from its immaculate surface, being cautious not to leave even the faintest scratch in its shimmering coat of paint. Unfortunately, too many people end up needing advanced restorative dentistry treatments because they treat their teeth less like a new car and more like a grimy sink, scouring them with undue force in an attempt to get them clean.

What these people don’t realize is that using this kind of force can permanently damage the teeth. While enamel is an extremely strong substance - one of the strongest in nature, in fact - it is also much like that coat of paint on the new car. Treat it with care and a delicate touch, and it will retain its integrity for years. Use too much force, however, and the scratches will eventually begin to show.

At Smile Montreal, we strive to provide our patients with the education they need to take optimal care of their teeth in between visits to our practice. This is why Drs. Charles and Patrick Casey discuss the issue of dental damage and aggressive tooth brushing during appointments at our Montreal, QC cosmetic, restorative, and general dentistry practice. Many patients don’t realize that they are brushing their teeth incorrectly until they are taught the proper method of tooth brushing.

Are you interested in learning more about how you can achieve and maintain outstanding oral health for a lifetime? If so, please schedule your initial consultation with Dr. Charles Casey or Dr. Patrick Casey today.

How Aggressive Tooth Brushing Can Harm Your Teeth

The next time you go shopping for a toothbrush, note the choices that are available to you. You’ll find medium, soft, and even extra-soft, but you almost certainly won’t find a hard-bristled option. That’s because most dental professionals agree that hard-bristled toothbrushes do more harm than good, eventually causing the erosion of tooth enamel through their abrasiveness. Now, hard-bristled toothbrushes are used mainly for cleaning and do-it-yourself construction projects and kept far away from teeth.

Unfortunately, even medium and soft-bristled toothbrushes can cause damage to enamel over time if too much force is used while brushing. Equally unfortunately, there is no reward for taking this risk, as using aggressive force while brushing your teeth removes no more plaque and debris from the teeth than using gentle force. More important than the force you use is the thoroughness of your brushing. Make sure to cover all surfaces of every tooth, including the top and back surfaces. Combined with flossing, rinsing with an antimicrobial mouthwash, and regular trips to our office for professional cleanings, this light touch will go a long way.