If you’ve heard it once, you’ve heard it a thousand times: you should be brushing your teeth twice a day, and flossing once. What should you think (or do) when this everyday routine has a painful element attached to it? It is understandable that you might shorten brushing time, or be tempted to skip it all together. This is not a good idea for effective preventive dental hygiene. When brushing hurts, the first step is to figure out the cause and seek the advice of your dentist on how to remedy the problem.
Are You Brushing Too Hard?
A simple fix is to examine your brushing technique. If you have adopted the idea that “more is better” you may be scrubbing with such enthusiasm that you are irritating the gums. Hard bristles or heavy brushing force can cause tiny tears in the skin. If the gums are irritated they may recede from the teeth roots, exposing the more sensitive part of the tooth. If this might be the issue, switch immediately to a soft bristle tooth and always brush gently. Your teeth will still get clean, and you will be pain-free.
Are There Signs Of Gum Infection?
Healthy gums are firm, pink or pinkish, and non-tender. If you see bleeding when you brush, or if gums are puffy or sensitive to touch or brushing, you may have gingivitis. This is an early stage of gum disease, which may be reversed if you step up your dental habits. Your dentist may recommend more frequent office visits for professional cleanings. Scaling and root planing is a specialized cleaning that may help, and is performed in your dentist’s office.
What Else?
Pain with tooth brushing can have other causes. Some may be minor, but others can be quite serious. If you have skipped twice-yearly checkups, it’s time to call the helpful office staff for an appointment. If the pain occurs between scheduled visits, and does not go away with a change in brushing techniques, call your dentist for advice or a consultation appointment.
Brushing Your Teeth Should Be Pain-Free
You should be brushing twice a day, and it shouldn’t hurt. If this is not the case, please let us know. Get the information and treatment you need in Celina, TX by contacting Celina Family Dentistry to schedule a visit today at (214) 851-0130.
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