Tooth brushing problems?

Question

I like to use Crest Pro-Health, but no toothpaste I use seems to work! I think I take pretty good care of my teeth, brushing them 1-2 times a day, but I'm getting more and more sensitive spots and my gums have an itching feeling. I normally brush for about five minutes with an electric brush and I'm not satisfied until my mouth feels clean. My boyfriend says I'm scrubbing my enamel off, is that even possible? I haven't seen a dentist in a long time and I can't really afford to. What can I do??

Jonathan, read the post first and learn to use periods. Until then, only volunteer your opinion when somebody has the gratification of beating it out of you first, douchebag.

Answer 1

Yes, it is entirely possible that you are scrubbing the enamel right off your teeth. The recommendation is to brush your teeth for two minutes; five is overdoing it. Look up your county's public health district in your phonebook. If they do not have reduced-cost dental care available, they'll know who does.

Answer 2

Hon , from my expierience, when my gums itch, i use listerine, it may be you need to try a manual toothbrush & brush your gums.

Also get a sensitive teeth toothpaste. Crest sensitive is good.sensitve spots around the gums may also mean gums are reseding. the sensitive t paste'll help that. & it still has the flouride you need.

i use a soft t b & i've been accused of scrubbing my enamel off,by my daughter, i brush for 4 minites, i guess. & i brush my gums & upper mouth & tongue, bacteria can grow there & cause bad breath.

listerine is suppose to kill germs. & there is generic of this.

good luck, & may be there's a dentist in your area that will clean your teeth & give you an exam on a lower cost bases, or take payments.

some are very understanding.

Answer 3

yes you can brush your enamel away if you are brushing too hard sideways specially if you are using a hard toothbrush. well, get an electric toothbrush don't press too hard and just touch each tooth lightly and let the toothbrush do the brushing.
or get a extra soft toothbrush and brush each tooth in a little circular motion. use a fluoride toothpaste to help from sensitivity like sensodyne. or any fluoride toothpaste the higher the fluoride content the better. avoid tartar control or whitening toothpaste because they are very abrasive. and don't forget to floss. no matter how much you brush if you don't floss it means noting. I rather miss brushing than flossing. and get a consultation with the dentist normally it not that expensive they will diagnose your problem but dose not mean you have to do treatment get which is a priority of work, see how much then save and then go when you get the money . at least that way you know what is going on.

Answer 4

Yes you could be scrubbing the enamel off as toothpastes are abrasives. You need to go see the dentist though to get your teeth checked. Call a dentist who will let you make payments and go get checked out and then keep up with your checkups every 6 months so you stay on top of your dental health.

Answer 5

I dont think you can scrub off enamel, but you certainly can make gums irritated by scrubbing hard. Tooth brushing is just supposed to be a gentle abrasion with toothpaste. You could be rubbing away gingiva which is very serious

Answer 6

HELLO,

I'M PERPLEXED AS TO WHY ANYONE THINKS TOOTH BRUSHING WILL HARM THE ENAMEL.
ENAMEL IS AS STRONG AS GLASS

THE SENSITIVITY IS CAUSED BY CAUSING ABRASION OF THE DENTIN STRUCTURE WHICH SUPPORTS THE STRONG ENAMEL.

DENTIN IS MUCH SOFTER THAN ENAMEL AND BRUSHING TOO HARD WITH A TOOTHBRUSH THAT'S TOO HARD WILL EASILY ERODE THE DENTIN, CAUSING GUM EROSION AND SENSITIVITY.

SO, WHAT CAN YOU DO?

USE ONLY A SOFT BRUSH. ELECTRIC BRUSHES ONLY COME IN SOFT. BRUSH MORE GENTLY AND INVEST IN BUYING A WATERPIK TO KEEP YOU GUMS CLEAN. USE A TOOTHPASTE FOR SENSITIVE TEETH. THIS WILL HAVE AN ACTIVE INGREDIENT CALLED POTASSIUM NITRIDE. THIS WILL HELP TO LESSEN THE TOOTH SENSITIVITY.