Everyone knows it’s important that you brush your teeth because it’s good for your teeth. So if you brush them more, it’s going to be better for them, right? The truth is that brushing your teeth can cause them a lot of damage.

The way that brushing your teeth excessively can damage them is because toothpaste often have abrasives in them. Even though these types of abrasives usually are mild and they’re not going to damage teeth when they’re used the right way, they also can result in a lot of wear to your teeth if they’re used really aggressively. This could mean that you’re brushing your teeth too hard or too often.

One of the earliest symptoms that overbrushing is an irritation to your gums. If you’re noticing that your gums are getting sensitive when you’re brushing more throughout the day, that means you should cut back. It’s also possible that you are noticing tooth sensitivity.

As time passes, it’s also possible you’re going to notice that your teeth are beginning to look like they’re discolored. This is due to your enamel being thinned and your dentin, which is yellow, is starting to come through. This is a sign you’ll need to change your brushing routine or you may need reconstructive surgery.

The Right Way to Brush

Your teeth should be brushed a minimum of twice each day. You should do it before going to bed and after waking up each day. You can also brush during the day, but you should see guidelines below. A brush with soft bristles and a gentle yet firm pressure. If you’ve noticed that the toothbrush bristles are always bent, it’s a sign that you are brushing too hard. Brush for a minimum of two minutes and use circular, small brush motions. Think about using one of the electronic toothbrushes.

When you make the decision to brush during the day, here are some tips to remember:

  • Wait to brush if you’ve had an acidic drink or food with lunch. Just rinse your mouth out with water and then brush in a half an hour.
  • For your third brushing and any subsequent ones, just use water for brushing. This will help you avoid a lot of exposure to abrasives.

Of course, this is going to depend on your oral habits and health. If you have any questions, speak with your personal dentist.