It is no secret that you should take care of your teeth every single day to avoid infections, cavities, and other oral health issues. By brushing at least twice a day and flossing once, you can keep your teeth in tip-top shape on a daily basis. Dentists can show you the proper way of brushing your teeth that helps you encourage better dental habits. Below, we cover can brushing technique cause receding gums?
Can Brushing Technique Cause Receding Gums?
Did you know that there is a wrong way to brush your teeth? In fact, brushing your teeth too hard can cause some irreparable damage to your gums and mouth. If you have ever wondered, “Can brushing techniques cause receding gums?” then you’ve come to the right place. Today, your trusted periodontist in LA will explain how the wrong brushing technique can actually leave you worse off than before.
What Are Receding Gums?
Receding gums happen when your gums become infected and they start to pull back from the teeth. If the upper portion of your tooth starts to become exposed, you are much more susceptible to infection. A receding gumline is a sure-fire sign that you are dealing with gum disease in one of its many stages.
Gum disease starts out as gingivitis, which is an early form of the condition marked by bleeding gums each morning. Gingivitis is treatable, but if you take too much time before visiting the dentist, it can progress into a more advanced form. Periodontitis, the full-blown type of gum disease, is very serious and carries symptoms of infection and pain. Gum recession treatment may be necessary if you are struggling with infected, red, or bleeding gums on a consistent basis.
There’s No Need to Scrub!
One of the most common problems that people have is scrubbing their teeth too hard when they are using the brush. In fact, we advocate for the replacement of the word “brush” with “massager.” Your toothbrush should be used to rub your teeth, gently scraping off any leftover bacteria or food particles. You don’t have to push super hard, as you can end up damaging your gums and your teeth. You may even strip off the tooth’s enamel, which is the outermost layer of protection on your teeth.
How to Brush Your Teeth and Reduce Gum Damage
If this article has made you realize that you might be brushing your teeth too hard, there are some steps you can take right away to reduce damage to your teeth and gums. Our dental experts offer these awesome tips for brushing your teeth the right way:
- Using small, circular movements, gently massage your teeth with the brush rather than pushing hard while scrubbing.
- Make sure your brush touches all angles of your mouth, including behind your teeth or in-between gaps to remove all foreign particles.
- It is best to hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle when you brush your teeth. Move the brush along the line of the gums, but do not brush the gums directly.
With the proper technique, the bristles of your toothbrush should reach underneath your gums to clean them without pushing too hard and making them bleed. If you notice a little pink in the sink or you are showing sure signs of receding gums, you may need to reach out to our dental experts for additional treatment.
Treat Advanced Gum Recession with Pinhole Surgery!
At the office of Dr. David Kao, we employ a number of advanced techniques to help patients with even the most severe forms of gum recession. Through pinhole surgery for receding gums, you can graft healthy skin back to your gums without the need for cuts or stitches. Using collagen strips, you can build back the areas of the gums that you have lost. Get in touch with our experts today to learn more about how you can benefit greatly from this procedure!
