Did you know brushing your teeth can affect your health?

What is one thing we do in the morning and at night? Brush our teeth. If it’s not morning and night, at least two times throughout the day. We do it to get fresh breath or old food out of our mouths and keep our teeth and gums healthy. What could possibly be the harm in that? Believe it or not, you can cause problems by brushing your teeth.  

Brushing your teeth too hard can hurt. You may think that it is getting all the food or substance off, but you could be damaging your teeth. According to the University of Connecticut, “brushing your teeth too hard can wear down enamel, irritate your gums, make your teeth sensitive to cold and even cause cavities.” It doesn’t occur to us that these things can happen, especially if we use a soft toothbrush.  

Did you know that your toothpaste also plays a key role in your dental health? It does. It may seem like a small factor, but it can create many benefits for you. According to California Oral Health Technical Assistance Center, “the key ingredient is fluoride, which evidence shows prevents tooth decay. Fluoride replaces lost minerals in teeth and makes them stronger.” Make sure that you are not the only one with fluoride toothpaste in your family. Some children’s toothpastes do not carry enough fluoride for them to gain the benefit.  

We must remember that our dental health is as important as our physical, emotional and mental health. We want to take care of our teeth as best as we can so we can eat our favorite foods without pain. Mostly importantly, we want to keep smiling at people to make their days.