A complete oral hygiene routine includes twice-daily brushing for the dentist-recommended 2 minutes each session. To help keep your teeth and gums in good condition, it’s important to adhere to a thorough brushing regimen—but can you brush your teeth too much? In fact, how you brush really does matter. From the timing, pace, coverage, and even angles. Brushing pressure and frequency should also be considered. Find out what happens if you brush your teeth too much and what should be included in a healthy oral hygiene routine.
What is Overbrushing?
When it comes to keeping your mouth healthy, there’s nothing more important than sticking to a complete daily oral care routine, which includes good brushing habits. However, can you brush your teeth too much?
Though it may seem as if brushing too many times might not be a bad thing, if not done with the proper technique, it can do some serious harm to your teeth and gums. When you brush your teeth for too long, too hard, or too often, you run the risk of developing tooth sensitivity and potentially damaging your gums.
Overbrushing, or toothbrush abrasion, can weaken your enamel, which is the outermost layer of your teeth. Vigorous or extensive brushing can wear away this protective layer, causing your teeth to be more sensitive to hot and cold temperatures and more vulnerable to tooth decay.
Additionally, brushing with too much pressure can leave your gums feeling sore and swollen, and increase your risk of developing more serious gum issues.
How Often Should I Brush My Teeth?
To help maintain your oral health, dental professionals recommend brushing your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste for 2 minutes each session.
In addition to how often you brush, keep the following tips in mind to better avoid overbrushing:
Apply the right brushing pressure
Brush with a soft-bristled toothbrush or brush head
Wait an hour after eating before brushing to help protect enamel
Replace your toothbrush or brush head every 3 months
Side Effects of Over Brushing Your Teeth
Many of us don’t realize when we are overbrushing. To see if you might be brushing too much or too hard, start with your toothbrush. Splayed or worn-out bristles can be a great indicator of improper toothbrushing. Typically, a toothbrush or brush head should last for about 3 months, if your brush is frayed after just a few weeks then you may be overdoing it.
Your teeth and gums can also indicate if you’re using your brush too vigorously. Additional signs to watch out for include:
Gum issues
If your gums are pulling away from your teeth, it may be a sign that you are overbrushing. Brushing too aggressively can also leave your gums feeling sore and swollen.
Tooth sensitivity
If your teeth are sensitive to hot and cold temperatures or sweet foods, then you might be brushing too hard. Cleaning your teeth too vigorously can wear away the enamel, exposing the sensitive nerves underneath.
Dental abrasion
Dental or tooth abrasion refers to the gradual loss of tooth enamel. Overzealous brushing can cause the enamel to wear away, making your teeth more vulnerable to sensitivity and other issues.
How Should You Brush Your Teeth?
Regular toothbrushing can help reduce plaque buildup to better maintain good oral hygiene. But it’s how you brush that can help keep your teeth strong and gums in good condition.
Follow these steps to properly brush your teeth and prevent overbrushing:
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush: Using a soft-bristled toothbrush or brush head is important because it is less likely to damage your enamel and gums. Hard-bristled toothbrushes can be too abrasive and cause more harm than good. When selecting a toothbrush, look for one with soft bristles that are gentle on your teeth and gums. For a gentle yet effective clean, brush with an electric toothbrush equipped with a sensitive brushing mode.
Brushing technique: Hold your brush at a 45-degree angle toward the gum line. From there, move the brush back and forth gently, with a circular movement over the front, back and top (chewing surface) of your teeth.
Brush gently: When brushing your teeth, be gentle and use a light touch. Brushing too hard can damage your enamel and irritate your gums. Instead, use short, gentle strokes, and focus on cleaning each tooth individually. To better apply the right amount of pressure, consider brushing with an electric toothbrush that features a pressure sensor to alert you when overbrushing.
Brush for the right amount of time: A proper brushing session should last about 2 minutes, with 30 seconds dedicated to each quadrant of the mouth. This gives you enough time to clean your teeth thoroughly without overbrushing. Most electric toothbrushes have a convenient built-in timer to help you keep track of how long you’re brushing each area, for a more complete clean every time.
Floss daily: Floss with string floss such as Oral-B Pro-Expert Premium Floss, it slides easily in tight spaces to help remove plaque between teeth. Combine regular string floss with a water flosser like the Oral-B Aquacare Pro-Expert Irrigator Featuring Oxyjet Technology for a more invigorating clean between your teeth.
Our Best Electric Toothbrushes to Prevent Overbrushing
From gum care features to extra soft bristles, there’s sure to be an Oral-B electric toothbrush that has the gum and enamel protection benefits you need.
Oral-B iO Series of Electric Toothbrushes
From personalized brushing modes to a smart pressure sensor, the Oral-B iO9 may just be our best toothbrush to help prevent overbrushing. The smart pressure sensor lets you know when you are brushing too hard (red), not hard enough (white) or with the correct amount of pressure (green) via a light on the top of the handle. The advanced iO technology delivers a professional clean feeling while staying surprisingly gently on while gently cleaning the enamel and gums.
Oral-B Genius Series
Real-time coaching with A.I. technology helps you brush just how your dentist recommends. Equipped with deep cleaning action and an LED 360 Smart Ring, the Oral-B Genius X helps you keep your gums in good condition while also achieving a whole-mouth clean.
Oral-B Smart Series
The dentist-inspired Oral-B Smart 5000 combines a gum care mode with Gum Pressure Control, to help protect your gum line and alert you if you brush too hard.
Oral-B Pro Series
The Oral-B Pro Series helps protect your gums while also adjusting to your oral care needs. The Oral-B Pro 3 features a visible pressure sensor turns red and automatically slows brush speed to help keep you from brushing with too much pressure.
If you’re still unsure as to which electric toothbrush is best for you, you can find your brush match with help from Oral-B. Share your oral care needs and get matched with our best toothbrush for gum care you.
Overbrushing Teeth FAQs
Can you damage your teeth from brushing too much?
Extensive and vigorous tooth brushing can weaken your tooth enamel. It is best to limit brushing to no more than 3 times a day, to help avoid issues such as sensitivity and gum problems.
How do I know if I’m over-brushing?
Common signs of aggressive brushing include frayed or worn toothbrush bristles, swollen gums, and possible tooth discomfort caused by hot or cold food and beverages.
Can teeth recover from overbrushing?
Applying too much pressure with your toothbrush can damage the enamel. However, you can help strengthen weakened enamel with a proper oral care routine that consists of a stannous fluoride toothpaste.
Can you brush your teeth too much with braces?
It is best not to overdo it when it comes to how long and how hard you brush, even with braces. However, it is important to maintain a thorough oral care routine while straightening your smile to help keep your teeth and gums in good condition.
From Oral-B, the #1 toothbrush brand used by dentists worldwide.
Sources:
https://www.byte.com/community/resources/article/can-you-brush-your-teeth-too-much/
https://www.guardiandirect.com/dental-care/toothbrush-abrasion-what-happens-overbrush-your-teeth
Sign Up
for expert advice and exclusive offers
