Learn How Dental Hygiene, Tooth Abrasion And
Over brushing Relate from Your Dental Hygienist
By Brian J. Gray, DDS, MAGD, FICO
The issue of
over brushing and its direct
link to tooth abrasion has been a topic in many journal and news articles. A story in
The Wall Street Journal (February 4, 2000) stated that in many cases, "the
culprit in tooth abrasion is the toothbrush itself." This issue is particularly
important to dental hygiene because people can damage healthy teeth and gums by brushing too hard, oftentimes
with a medium- or hard-bristled toothbrush. In fact, dentists and dental
hygienists have a recommendation on
how to brush your teeth; they recommend that you use a soft-bristled
toothbrush for your oral health care.
Your teeth and gums are susceptible to wear and tear like all other parts of your body.
In cases of improper
dental hygiene and brushing, such as brushing too vigorously, gum tissue can be worn away.
Receding gums then lead to other significant dental problems such as sensitive teeth,
periodontal disease, cavities, root canals, and, potential loss of
teeth.
Your dental Hygienist will explain that brushing your teeth correctly
includes adjusting the angle of your toothbrush (it should be
at a 45-degree angle), lessening the amount of pressure you use, monitoring the length of time,
as well as making sure that you are using a soft-bristled toothbrush. In addition, always ask
your dentist for specific recommendations related to your
dental hygiene care and healthy teeth.
While the potential harm to
healthy teeth and gums through poor dental
hygiene and over brushing is significant, an even
greater percentage of the population suffers damage to their teeth from occlusion (bad bite),
genetic factors, and poor overall
dental cleaning. It is critical to carefully maintain and
monitor your oral health.
The best approach to maintaining good
oral
hygiene is to brush your
teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush with fluoride toothpaste, floss or clean
between the teeth using an inter-dental cleaner (special brushes, picks or sticks), and visit
your dentist every six months. Follow your dental hygienist's advice with regard to any changes
to this regimen.
Talk to your Dental Hygienist Today
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