Are You Brushing Your Teeth Effectively?

Believe it or not you can damage your teeth and gums if you brush too hard or use a hard bristled toothbrush every time you brush.  The consequences can sometimes be painful.  Brushing too hard can cause the gums to recede prematurely, causing pain and sensitivity.  Over a period of time you can also cause abrasion (scratches on the teeth) that can be permanent.  Many people do this without realizing that they may be causing harm to their teeth and gums. The effects are not always immediate.  It can take years for problems to manifest, often it's too late to reverse the damage. In contrast, you can also brush too softly, leaving behind plaque and tartar. How do you know if you are doing it correctly?
Here's an interesting note: If you ever wonder whether you are actually removing all the plaque from your teeth when you brush, there is a product available now that is called a "disclosing tablet".  It dissolves in your mouth and turns all the plaque red so that you can see exactly where you need to brush!  All you have to do is brush until the red is gone, (not hard, of course) and then rinse!  Here is a link to a source online where you can get the tablets.
Try to use a soft bristle toothbrush and take it easy on those pearly whites!

Keep Smiling!