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Too much of a good thing can be bad! Read the article below for telltale signs that you may be brushing too hard.

Brushing Too Hard is Harmful
Brushing your teeth too hard or vigorously is known as overbrushing. This may happen to people who have the best intentions to keep their mouth clean, but they’re simply using too much force or too hard of a toothbrush. Although your teeth do need to be brushed twice a day, overbrushing can actually harm your enamel and gums.

Signs of Overbrushing
Chances are, your dentist will be able to identify signs of overbrushing at your dental visit. These may include:
Receding gums
Enamel wear
Cavities on the roots of the teeth

Some simple steps to follow to keep your mouth healthy and avoid this habit.

Watch Your Brush
Replace your toothbrush every three months – or as soon as it shows signs of wear. If the bristles are fraying or don’t look new anymore, you’ve probably worn away the softened edges of the bristles. This means you are now scraping your teeth with jagged ends that aren’t meant to touch your teeth.

Keep track of how long it takes before your toothbrush shows signs of wear. If your brush looks frayed after just a month, this is a sign that you’re brushing too hard in general. A quality toothbrush will typically last at least two months.

Be Gentle
Plaque is soft, so don’t scrub your mouth like you would the kitchen sink. As long as you gently but thoroughly reach all the areas of your mouth, you’ll be getting your teeth clean without damage. You shouldn’t be forcefully pushing the bristles against your teeth until they bend. Also, don’t use a back and forth, saw-like motion. Use small, circular strokes to cover each tooth on all sides. Your enamel won’t grow back once it’s gone, so treat it like gold!

Get the Right Brush
There’s no need to buy medium or hard bristle toothbrushes. Soft or even extra soft brushes can do just as an effective a job at cleaning your teeth, and are less likely to damage your enamel. If you have tooth sensitivity, a soft toothbrush is a must.

Don’t forget to floss every day, as this is crucial to removing bacteria and plaque between your teeth, where even the best brushing can’t reach.

Seeing your dentist every six months is the best way to keep your teeth and gums healthy and avoid problems like overbrushing, cavities, and more. 

Original Source: http://flanagansmiles.com/cleanings.../brushing-hard-tell/

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