What is Toothpaste Abuse?

Do you load up your toothbrush with toothpaste and brush your teeth vigorously in an effort to whiten your teeth? The abrasives in toothpaste remove food debris, stains and plaque. However, if your teeth aren't naturally white, no amount of scrubbing is going to make them that way. In fact, if you use too much toothpaste and scrub your teeth too hard, you can damage your teeth (and gums). Read this informative article and find out what toothpaste abuse is, and how you can avoid it.

How Much Toothpaste Should You Use?

I checked the instructions on the three different kinds of toothpaste we have in our medicine cabinet. Crest Whitening Plus Scope and Colgate only say, to minimize swallowing, children under the age of 6 should use just a "pea-sized amount" of toothpaste at a time. The Crest Pro-Health, on the other hand, instructs adults and children 12 and older to "apply at least a 1-inch strip of the product onto a soft-bristled toothbrush." According to Chicago dentist Cheryl Watson-Lowry, a "pea-sized dab of toothpaste" is the right amount for everyone. Toothpaste contains abrasives. Use too much, and scrub too hard, and you'll end up damaging your teeth. People who are trying to whiten their teeth are usually the ones who fall prey to toothpaste abuse.

What Kind of Tooth Damage Does Toothpaste Abuse Cause?

The abrasives in toothpaste, in addition to vigorous brushing, has a "sandblasting " effect on your teeth, according to Dr. Thomas Abrahamsen, an Ohio dentist and clinical researcher. He holds positions with the American Board of Prosthodontics, the American College of Prosthodontists and the American Academy of Restorative Dentistry. Over time, the enamel becomes thinner and your teeth become more sensitive. If you've been trying to whiten your teeth by scrubbing them with a lot of toothpaste, you'll be disappointed. As the enamel wears away, the dentine is exposed more, and you'll see your teeth now have a darker color.

How to Avoid Toothbrush Abuse

According to Dr. Abrahamsen, it's not the toothbrush that adversely affects your tooth enamel. It's the toothpaste. Toothpaste abuse ranks number two when it comes to tooth erosion. The number one cause is tooth grinding. Boston dentist Dr. Valdemar Welz tells his patients to brush with an electric toothbrush and water, and then floss.

If you choose to use toothpaste, use only a pea-sized amount at a time. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush, and brush your teeth thoroughly, but gently. Brush your teeth twice a day, and floss to clean in between them.

Resources

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/suzette-standring/too-much-toothpaste-damag_b_110419.html

http://www.dentistry.com/daily-dental-care/dental-hygiene/how-much-toothpaste-is-too-much

http://medgadget.com/2007/07/study_toothpaste_a_major_source_of_dental_damage.html