The short and mainly inaccurate answer is yes, electric toothbrushes CAN damage your gums. But, so can a manual toothbrush. Brushing too hard or improperly can always lead to gum recession. The key to using an electric toothbrush is to be very gentle.
If your toothbrush bristles become frayed and flared out after a while, you are brushing too aggressively which often leads to gum recession.
Using an electric toothbrush every day is generally recommended and can be beneficial for maintaining good oral hygiene. The consistent use of an electric toothbrush helps remove plaque effectively, reaches difficult-to-reach areas, and promotes better overall cleaning compared to manual brushing.
Any toothbrush that is too hard or stiff can damage your gums over time. Over-brushing or “scrub brushing” with stiff bristles is one of the leading causes of gum recession, a common dental problem that exposes sensitive roots.
Several factors can cause a person's gums to recede, regardless of the state of their oral hygiene. These include aggressive toothbrushing, body piercing, clenching or grinding teeth, crooked teeth or a misaligned bite, hormonal changes, insufficient dental care, periodontal disease, and tobacco products.
Gum recession causes include: Brushing too hard or too aggressively. Dental plaque or tartar buildup. Periodontal disease.
Use a soft bristle electric toothbrush – this will be gentle on the gums and will help to remove plaque and bacteria effectively. Brush for two minutes, twice a day – make sure to brush all the surfaces of the teeth, including the gum line, to get rid of all the plaque.
Electric toothbrushes are generally considered safer for gums. In addition, soft bristles are recommended over hard bristles, regardless of toothbrush type. As aggressive brushing can lead to gum recession, an electric toothbrush with better, soft bristles can be superior for gum health.
Mouthwash doesn't address the underlying causes of receding gums, but it does stop bacteria and plaque buildup, which are responsible for gum disease.
But when misused, an electric toothbrush can actually cause more harm than good. Using an electric toothbrush won't damage your teeth — but misusing one can lead to tooth damage, sensitivity, and gum recession.
A 2017 study published in the journal PLOS One found that electric toothbrushes were more likely than manual to abrade dentin—the tissue directly below the tooth's enamel, which can become exposed when enamel wears away or gums recede. Abrasions to the dentin increase tooth sensitivity and can hike cavity risks.
Flossing Regularly
Flossing removes plaques containing harmful bacteria from tough-to-reach places your toothbrush can't get to. These bacteria can cause receding gums and other dental problems. Flossing at least twice daily is the easiest way to keep gum recession at bay.
Advanced gum disease can cause the gums to pull away from the teeth. Gum disease is treatable when caught early, and if your loose tooth is the result of gum disease, there's a chance that it could tighten back up with treatment and better hygiene practices.
From fluoride treatments to implants, it seems like there's a fix for all our dental woes. However, preventative care is still the best treatment when it comes to gum health. Receding gums do not regenerate, which means that when your gum tissue is lost, it's gone permanently.
If your gums have receded due to periodontal disease, it may be possible to halt the recession with a scale and root planing procedure, a simple procedure that involves removing plaque and bacteria that have accumulated on the surfaces of your teeth and below the gumline.
These toothbrushes also have shorter bristle heads with less flex than the bristles on a manual brush. This means that you may be putting additional force on your teeth and gums with an electric brush. The key is to let the brush do most of the work. Move around your teeth and gums with light pressure.
The gums can start to recede at any age. In fact, studies show that gum recession affects about “88 percent of people 65 years of age and older” and “50 percent of people 18 to 64 years of age”. Gum recession isn't reserved for older adults!
The answer depends on the underlying cause. For example, if you brush too hard, your gums may recede over time. However, if you have gum disease, your gums can recede quite quickly. In some cases, they may even recede within a matter of weeks or months.
Receding gums are common in older adults. This is when the gum tissue pulls away from the tooth, exposing the base, or root, of the tooth. This makes it easy for bacteria to build up and cause inflammation and decay. A lifetime of brushing too hard can cause gums to recede.
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