Brushing your teeth longer and harder than is necessary may not be making your teeth any cleaner and could be causing permanent damage, says a study by researchers at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, England.
The researchers found that when people brushed for longer than 2 minutes, at a pressure greater than 150 grams, they weren’t removing any additional plaque from their teeth.
The study appears in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology.
“If you are unsure how to go about brushing your teeth, the best thing to do is to make an appointment with your dentist or dental hygienist who will be able to train you in the correct technique and will show you approximately how much pressure you should be applying,” research team leader Peter Heasman says in a news release.
“A significant proportion of the population demonstrates toothbrush abrasion.”
“A number of factors may predispose somebody to the problem, but the most significant causative factor is the incorrect use of the toothbrush.”
“Hard bristles are likely to be a little more abrasive on soft tissue,” he says, “but with the correct pressure they would be perfectly all right.
Prof Heasman believes toothpaste plays only a minor role in wearing down teeth. “Smokers’ pastes are designed to remove stains and are highly abrasive, but the majority of other products on the market are much the same,” he says.
When brushing teeth, use a gentle circular motion instead of brisk scrubbing movements and use the muscles of the wrist rather than the arms.
To gauge the amount of pressure needed, place a piece of fruit weighing about 150 grams on your palm. Remove it and press down with your toothbrush until you exert the same pressure. If in doubt, consult your dentist or hygienist.