Category: Brushing

If brushing twice a day is good for your teeth, scrubbing those pearly whites five or six times a day should produce a perfect smile, right? Although it might sound like brushing more frequently or aggressively would help to scrub your dental surfaces clean, Dr. Silberg explains that overbrushing is actually a common mistake that could permanently damage your smile. Here are four problems commonly caused by overbrushing and what you can do to avoid issues.  

Dental Problems Caused By Overbrushing

Gum Recession

When you brush your teeth too frequently or too aggressively, it can whisk away gum tissue, which tends to grow back very slowly, if at all. Eventually, most overbrushers experience severe gum recession, exposing underlying dental roots. In addition to giving your smile an aged appearance, gum recession can also lead to cavities in your dental roots, which are painful and jeopardize your entire tooth.

Dental Sensitivity

Another issue caused by overbrushing is extreme dental sensitivity, because aggressive brushing can remove protective dental enamel. Unfortunately, the more worn down the dental surface becomes, the easier it is for hot and cold foods and liquids to affect the nerves inside of your teeth, causing sensitivity. Additionally, since dental roots aren’t covered by protective enamel, they are especially prone to sensitivity.

Surface Changes

Aggressive brushing can also cause pits and grooves to form in the surfaces of your teeth, making your teeth look damaged, mottled, or matte. Surface changes can also make it easier for food particles and plaque to adhere to the teeth, paving the way for tooth decay.

Yellowed Appearance

When you remove hard, white dental enamel by overbrushing, you are exposing underlying dentin, which is naturally yellow in color. When aggressive brushing has damaged the dental surface to this level, protective crowns or veneers might be the only way to correct the color and functionality of the tooth.  

Avoiding Overbrushing

To prevent brushing too aggressively, only brush twice a day, once in the morning and once at night. Make sure that you are flossing properly without damaging the gum tissue, and talk with your dentist if you have problems like bleeding or pain during your normal dental care routine. If you are using a manual toothbrush, switch to a power toothbrush with a pressure sensor. These brushes shine a light or emit a noise if you are applying too much pressure, preventing damage. Also, talk with Dr. Silberg about gum disease treatment in Pittsburgh if you think that you are experiencing oral care problems. Many patients who overbrush are trying to treat more serious dental care issues than they can help at home, which is why scheduling an appointment with Dr. Silberg is important.

The importance of frequent brushing and flossing is common knowledge. Using the proper techniques, teeth and gums can remain healthy, strong and beautiful. But it may come as a surprise to you that we have also seen patients who damage their teeth and gums by overdoing their dental hygiene routine.

Although the teeth seem very solid, they can only handle so much. Between the acids naturally found in the saliva and the pressures of biting and chewing, they take quite a beating each day. When the daily dental care ritual is harsh as well, it can really add up, causing damage to the teeth and the gum tissue which can contribute to gum disease. Pittsburgh periodontist Dr. Silberg wants to ensure that you avoid these costly problems and maintain the health of your teeth and gums.

Toothbrush abrasion is the damage that is caused by the hard scrubbing of the teeth and gums. It can compromise the integrity of your enamel, resulting (ironically) in a greater susceptibility to cavities, and in receding gums. This can result in discoloration of the teeth, and teeth which appear overly long.

In order to avoid toothbrush abrasion, it is important to use proper brushing technique. The first step would be choosing a toothbrush with softer bristles. Dental plaque is soft and requires no more pressure to remove than wiping the surface with a soft cloth. Because of the many contours and crevices of the teeth, we use bristles in order to help us reach every surface of each tooth–but they shouldn’t be any harder than necessary.

When brushing, you should use small, circular motions, rather than straight side-to-side or up-and-down motions, making sure to apply just enough pressure to gently clean the teeth. If the bristles of your toothbrush are splaying outward, (and especially if your toothbrush has a frayed appearance after being used for a few weeks or months), you are pushing too hard. While you are brushing, point the bristles at a 45 degree angle toward your gums so that the soft tissue is cleaned and strengthened as well. It is good to brush for about two minutes to be sure you cover all of the surfaces, but not much longer. Even with proper technique, brushing for long periods of time can also cause toothbrush abrasion.

To keep your teeth and gums healthy and strong, visit your Pittsburgh periodontist, Dr. Silberg, regularly. Together we can ensure that you receive the best care possible for your beautiful smile. Make an appointment today!

The simple act of brushing your teeth is often taken for granted. Many people assume there isn’t much to brushing your teeth or overlook it when conducting their day-to-day routines. However, the importance of teeth brushing should not be underestimated or overlooked. It is not only important to brush your teeth, but it is crucial that you brush your teeth in the proper way in order to take care of your teeth and avoid damaging them.

Common Toothbrush Mistakes

There are numerous little mistakes many people commit while brushing their teeth that can impact your oral health. First and foremost, you want to have the right toothbrush for the job. That means having a toothbrush with soft bristles and can fit in your mouth comfortably. After three to four mouths, you should consider switching out your toothbrush for a new one or replacing the head of your electric toothbrush. This is due to the bristles wearing out and becoming less effective.

Along with choosing the right toothbrush, you’ll want to choose the right fluoride rinse and toothpaste. Whitening toothpaste can actually be harmful to your teeth as the particles that whiten your teeth can sand away the structure of your tooth if used in excess. Beyond utilizing mouthwash and toothpaste, you’ll want to pick up some floss. Flossing is an important part of your oral health care routine as floss can reach places that your toothbrush can’t; ensuring that all food particles and bacteria are removed.

From there, you need to spend the appropriate amount of time brushing your teeth. Twice a day is the minimum you should be brushing your teeth with three times being ideal. Additionally, you should be brushing your teeth for at least two minutes; 30 seconds for each of the four sections of your mouth. It is important not to brush in excess though as more than this can result in tooth damage. You don’t want to brush too hard as well; you should be using a lighter touch and guiding the toothbrush which lets it do most of the work for you.

Proper Brushing Technique

We’ve already touched briefly on proper technique; which is, brushing for at least two minutes while ensuring that you reach each of the four corners of your mouth. This is in addition to not brushing your teeth too hard and utilizing a soft bristle toothbrush. There is more to brushing your teeth than just that. You should utilize these additional tips to ensure that you are practicing proper brushing technique:

• When brushing your teeth, ensure that your toothbrush is at a 45 degree angle to your gums.
• Use short, tooth-wide strokes and brush back and forth.
• Ensure that you are brushing the outer, inner, and chewing surfaces of your teeth.
• The inside surfaces of your front tooth can be cleaned by tilting your brush vertically and making up and down strokes.
• Finish brushing your teeth by brushing your tongue in order to remove any bacteria which can be the cause of bad breath

Questions?

The importance of tooth brushing cannot be overstated. At its core, tooth brushing is the first line of defense for your oral health. Many people don’t know the proper way to brush their teeth which can lead to serious problems in their mouths. If you are lax in your tooth brushing it could even lead to the extraction of some of your teeth. Should you have any questions regarding the importance of brushing your teeth or proper brushing technique, please contact us and we will be happy to help you.

While brushing your teeth is often considered to be the foundation of good oral health care, brushing alone is often not enough when it comes to removing harmful bacteria. There is more to good oral health than just brushing your teeth! It’s recommended that you incorporate several other things into your oral health care routine in order to get take care of your mouth and smile!

Tip 1: Flossing

Many people underestimate the importance of flossing your teeth and gums. Do you know that when you don’t floss, you’re leaving 35% of your tooth unclean? That fact is one of the reasons that brushing your teeth just isn’t enough! By including flossing into your routine, you’ll be able to more thoroughly clean your teeth and gums; removing the excess food and bacteria that brushing can’t reach on its own.

Many people avoid flossing due to discomfort or laziness. But if you start to incorporate it into your daily brushing routine it will not feel like an extra chore or be as uncomfortable. If you aren’t sure how exactly to floss Dr. Silberg or one of his dental hygienists can show you the proper way to floss you teeth, and often will provide you with dental floss as well.

Tip 2: Eat a Balanced Diet

Your diet has a lot to do with your oral health care. While you have no doubt been told to avoid sugary foods, you might not understand why. Sugary foods in excess are one of the leading causes of tooth decay and gum disease when a patient is not utilizing proper oral health care. But keep in mind that sugary foods aren’t the only types of food you should avoid either.

It is recommended that you limit the acidic foods and drinks you consume also. Acidic foods and drinks consumed in excess can result in damage to your tooth enamel. Your enamel is important as it helps prevent damage done to your teeth and makes your teeth white! All in all, it is important to avoid foods & beverages that damage your teeth and only consume them in moderation. Focus on eating a balanced diet ensuring that you receive proper nutrition from whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and proteins. This is crucial not only for your overall health, but your oral health as well.

Tip 3: Regular Dental Visits

After reaching adulthood, many patients avoid going to the dentist. We cannot stress this enough: the Dr. Silberg is your friend! Scheduling regular dental checkups is crucial to your oral health. At these checkup appointments, we can assess whether or not you have any issues that can help you stay healthy, and what the current state of your oral health care is. This is also a great time to receive a professional dental cleaning—leaving your mouth happy, healthy, and refreshed!

Questions?

As covered above, it is important to realize that brushing your teeth is not enough when it comes to your oral care. You need to ensure that you floss, and receive regular dental checkups with professional teeth cleanings. Your oral health care is extremely important since you use your mouth everyday; from eating to talking. Don’t you want to do everything you can do keep your teeth happy and healthy? Should you have any questions about proper care of your mouth, please contact us and we will be happy to help you.