Many of my patients believe that the harder they brush the better they clean their teeth. When I ask my patients, “How often do you brush your teeth?” I get different answers. One answer I hear most is “only once day but I do it really hard and remove everything.” Dentists who care about you and your teeth do not like to hear this answer.

When you brush applying a lot of force using hard bristle brush in random directions you are actually causing more harm to your teeth than anything else.

Brushing your teeth should be done with soft or super soft bristle brushes. Gently hold the brush handle in 45 degrees angle.  Brush in soft and circular continuous movements, always from your gums toward your teeth.  To prevent recession of your gums and sensitivity of your teeth, never brush from the direction of the teeth towards gums.

Simply put, “Easy does it.”

Tyson’s Corner, McLean VA dentist
Dr. Negar Tehrani
Aura Center for Aesthetic Dentistry