The point of brushing your teeth every day is supposed to keep them strong and healthy. By consistently cleaning away the plaque that builds up on their surfaces every day, you can largely prevent many of the things that can develop from harmful oral bacteria, such as tooth decay. However, the way you brush your teeth is just as important as how often you do it, and for some people, their zealousness for dental hygiene can sometimes cause more harm than good. Today, we examine how your teeth brushing technique might be what’s making your teeth sensitive, and how you can correct the issue before you cause any more damage to your teeth.

Why it’s happening

Healthy, natural teeth are layered, and the outermost layer is known as tooth enamel. Made mostly of minerals, this layer is highly resilient, but it can be damaged by a number of things, such as excessive pressure and friction. If you give in to the temptation to scrub your teeth as hard as you can to clean them, your toothbrush can eventually strip away this enamel around your teeth, making them increasingly more sensitive to things like plaque (oral bacteria), food particles, and even your toothpaste and water.

How to alleviate the sensitivity

If you’ve been brushing your teeth hard enough to make them sensitive, then the most important thing is to moderate your technique. Brush gently, but be thorough enough to clean every surface of every tooth, every time. Try using a soft-bristled toothbrush for a while, as well as a less abrasive type of toothpaste to reduce the abrasion against your teeth when you clean them. Also, be sure to use toothpaste that has fluoride in it, as fluoride can help strengthen your tooth enamel by binding its weakened mineral strands.

The other risks of improper brushing

While aggressive brushing may be a contributing cause to your tooth sensitivity, there may be other factors at play, as well. For instance, despite brushing so aggressively, you might have missed spots of plaque here and there that can harden into tartar if given enough time. The accumulation of plaque on your teeth can raise your risks of things like tooth decay, and the weakened state of your enamel could make the threat significantly higher.

Learn how to brush your teeth better

Brushing and flossing your teeth are vital to your dental hygiene routine, but it takes more finesse than you might realize. For more information, schedule a consultation by calling the Dental Centre of Conroe in Conroe, TX, today at (936) 441-4600. We serve patients from Conroe and all neighboring communities.