The Dangers Behind Brushing Your Teeth

The Dangers Behind Brushing Your Teeth
ReportingDr. Sean KenniffE-mail (CBS4)
Like millions of Americans, Amelie Colon religiously follows the advice to brush her teeth several times a day.
"Oh, I brush my teeth three times a day," Colon says.
But could all that brushing backfire? Dr. Steven Green, a dentist who is also a naturopathic doctor says yes.
"In my mind part of the reason many dentists don't have a problem with tooth brushing," he says "is that It causes at least as much damage as it prevents."
That may seem like a bold statement but Dr. Green is not alone. Dentists have in-fact been worried about the issue of over-brushing and toothpaste 'abuse' for a while. With more abrasive whitening toothpastes on the market, more people are brushing and brushing their way to a brighter smile. Dr. David Bennet, who is also a dentist, says that damages the gum line and that's when problems can begin.
"Once the gums recede, and the cementum of the root, the root surface is exposed, that's softer, and that can be abraded by the material," Dr. Bennet said.
In fact a recent study presented at a major dental conference called this so-called "toothpaste abuse" to be a "major cause of wear from abrasion."
Experts say with today's fluoride toothpastes, it's possible to cut back on brushing without causing cavities. Twice a day, or maybe less according to Dr. Green.
"I tell my patients to thoroughly clean their mouth once every day," he says, "I think that's all that's necessary,"
Electric toothbrushes may be best, but if you're brushing by hand, use only a brush with soft bristles. And since the bristles are polished to decrease abrasions-make sure you change your brush every three months.
"If that polish wears off," Dr. Bennet says, "it becomes more abrasive and it can actually damage."
For Amelie, taking care of her teeth is no laughing matter.
"Yeah, you need to have a bright smile," she says laughing.
And she's hoping her bright smile might last a lifetime.
The American Dental Association still recommends that people brush their teeth twice a day. But remember, it's not your food that causes tooth decay, it's the bacteria in our mouths. And since we are not moving the bacteria around our mouths while we are sleeping, experts say reserve your most thorough cleaning for just before bedtime.