Brushing your teeth should is never the most comfortable chore in the world – when you brush correctly, it may cause a slight bit of discomfort to reach all the important places in your mouth and remove plaque. Your gums may even bleed slightly, which is often considered to be normal.
However, too much discomfort is a sign of oral health troubles lurking and you should see your dental professional as soon as possible. These signs may include bleeding, swollen gums, overly sensitive teeth and outright pain.
While brushing too hard can scratch the enamel of your teeth, not brushing firmly enough does not remove plaque properly. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush with a fluoride toothpaste approved by the American Dental Association with short back and forth strokes on all the surfaces of your teeth. Don’t forget to brush along the base of your gums and your tongue to get rid of additional plaque and bacteria in your mouth. Ideally, you should brush your teeth for at least two minutes twice daily and floss once a day to remove plaque from in between your teeth that your toothbrush cannot reach.
When you brush properly, the bleeding from your gums should minimize over time. To reiterate, signs you should see a dentist include gums that continue to bleed when you brush, swollen gums and bad breath that cannot be explained. These signs could indicate gum disease or even more serious health problems and should be immediately discussed with your dentist.
