You brush your teeth every day, so you must be protecting your smile—right?
Usually. But some everyday oral hygiene habits can unintentionally work against you.
Brushing too aggressively, using the wrong technique, sipping acidic drinks throughout the day, chewing ice, grinding your teeth, and skipping the spaces between your teeth can all contribute to dental problems over time.
At Dr. James D. Lund, DDS, we help patients in the Daybreak area of South Jordan, Utah, identify habits that may be affecting their teeth and gums before small concerns become bigger dental problems.
Here are seven common habits worth watching—and what you can do instead.
1. Brushing Your Teeth Too Hard
It seems logical that brushing harder would clean your teeth better. In reality, good brushing is about thoroughness and technique—not force.
Aggressive brushing may irritate or injure gum tissue, particularly when combined with an overly firm toothbrush or repeated scrubbing along the gumline.
The American Dental Association recommends using a soft-bristled toothbrush and gentle pressure. A good general technique is to hold the toothbrush at approximately a 45-degree angle toward the gumline and use gentle, short strokes.
Signs You May Be Brushing Too Hard
Possible warning signs include:
- Toothbrush bristles that quickly become flattened or frayed
- Gum tenderness after brushing
- Gum recession
- Increasing sensitivity near the gumline
- Visible wear near the neck of a tooth
If you replace your toothbrush and it looks badly worn after only a few weeks, your brushing pressure may be worth evaluating.
What Should You Do Instead?
Slow down and concentrate on reaching every surface of your teeth without scrubbing aggressively.
A soft-bristled manual toothbrush can work very well. Some electric toothbrushes also include pressure sensors that alert you when you’re pushing too hard.
The goal isn’t to scrub your teeth. It’s to consistently remove plaque without unnecessarily traumatizing the surrounding tissues.
2. Using a Medium or Hard-Bristled Toothbrush Because It Feels More Effective
A stiffer toothbrush may feel as though it’s providing a deeper cleaning, but harder isn’t necessarily better.
For most people, a soft-bristled toothbrush is the better everyday choice.
Soft bristles can effectively clean teeth while reducing the potential for unnecessary abrasion and gum injury.
Also pay attention to the condition of your toothbrush. Replace it approximately every three to four months—or sooner if the bristles become visibly worn or frayed.
If your brush regularly becomes frayed much sooner than that, excessive brushing pressure could be the reason.
3. Brushing Immediately After Acidic Foods or Drinks
Brushing immediately after drinking a soda or another acidic beverage might sound like an excellent way to clean your teeth.
It isn’t always the best approach.
Acidic foods and beverages can temporarily create an environment in which the tooth surface is more vulnerable to erosive wear. Repeated exposure to acids can contribute to dental erosion, which is the progressive loss of mineralized tooth structure.
Common acidic beverages include:
- Regular and diet soft drinks
- Sports drinks
- Energy drinks
- Lemon or citrus beverages
- Fruit juices
- Other low-pH drinks
Instead of immediately reaching for your toothbrush after an acidic drink, consider rinsing your mouth with water.
Another important change is reducing how frequently your teeth are exposed to acid.
For example, slowly sipping an acidic drink throughout the afternoon repeatedly exposes your teeth. Drinking it with a meal and then switching to water reduces the frequency of those exposures.
Remember: with acidic drinks, frequency matters—not just quantity.
4. Skipping the Spaces Between Your Teeth
You can be an excellent tooth brusher and still miss important areas.
A toothbrush doesn’t effectively clean every tight space between neighboring teeth.
That’s one reason cleaning between your teeth is an important part of a complete home oral hygiene routine.
Depending on your teeth and gums, your options may include:
- Traditional dental floss
- Floss picks
- Interdental brushes
- Water flossers or oral irrigators
- Other dentist-recommended interdental cleaners
The right choice can vary from person to person.
Someone with very tight contacts between the teeth may have different needs than someone with larger spaces, periodontal concerns, bridges, implants, or orthodontic appliances.
The important thing is finding an interdental cleaning method that you can use consistently and correctly.
5. Using Your Teeth as Tools
Your teeth are designed for eating—not opening packages.
Yet many people occasionally use their teeth to:
- Tear open plastic packaging
- Remove clothing tags
- Open bags
- Hold nails or screws
- Bite fishing line
- Crack hard objects
- Pry something open
It may work dozens of times without a problem.
Then one day, it doesn’t.
Using your teeth as tools can place unnecessary forces on natural teeth and dental restorations and may result in a chip, crack, or other damage.
The solution is wonderfully simple:
Use scissors, pliers, bottle openers, and other tools for the jobs they were designed to do—and save your teeth for eating.
6. Chewing Ice and Other Extremely Hard Objects
Chewing ice is another habit that can seem harmless.
After all, ice is just frozen water.
The problem isn’t what ice is made from. It’s how hard it is.
Repeatedly biting hard objects places considerable stress on teeth and dental restorations. The habit can be especially concerning for someone who already has large fillings, crowns, existing cracks, or weakened teeth.
The same principle applies to other hard objects and foods.
Be cautious about chewing:
- Ice cubes
- Hard candy
- Unpopped popcorn kernels
- Pens and pencils
- Fingernails
- Other non-food objects
A tooth can withstand tremendous forces, but that doesn’t mean it is indestructible.
If you frequently chew ice, consider letting it melt instead or switching to chilled water without ice chewing.
7. Ignoring Clenching and Grinding
Some potentially damaging dental habits happen without you realizing you’re doing them.
Bruxism refers to clenching or grinding the teeth and can occur while you’re awake or asleep.
Over time, excessive forces may contribute to problems such as:
- Flattened or worn teeth
- Chipped teeth
- Cracks
- Tooth sensitivity
- Jaw discomfort
- Sore facial muscles
- Damage to dental restorations
You might notice yourself clenching during stressful situations, while concentrating, driving, working at a computer, or exercising.
Nighttime grinding can be more difficult to recognize because you’re asleep when it happens.
A dentist may sometimes notice wear patterns or other signs during an examination that suggest excessive clenching or grinding.
Treatment depends on the individual situation, so don’t assume that an over-the-counter nightguard is automatically the right answer. A dental evaluation can help determine what’s happening and whether treatment is appropriate.
What Does a Tooth-Friendly Daily Routine Look Like?
Protecting your teeth doesn’t require an elaborate routine.
For many adults, a strong foundation includes:
Brush twice daily.
Brush for approximately two minutes using fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush.
Use gentle pressure.
Plaque doesn’t need to be aggressively scrubbed away.
Clean between your teeth daily.
Use floss or another interdental cleaning method appropriate for your needs.
Limit frequent sugar and acid exposure.
Pay attention not only to what you’re drinking and eating but how often your teeth are exposed throughout the day.
Drink water regularly.
Water is a tooth-friendly beverage and can help rinse away food particles and acids.
Don’t use your teeth as tools.
Protect your teeth during activities where dental injuries are possible.
A properly fitted mouthguard can reduce the risk and severity of sports-related dental injuries.
Schedule regular dental examinations and professional cleanings.
Preventive appointments provide an opportunity to identify changes that may not yet be causing pain or obvious symptoms.
Are You Damaging Your Teeth Without Realizing It?
Dental problems aren’t always caused by neglect.
Sometimes they develop because a person is genuinely trying to take care of their teeth but has developed a technique or habit that isn’t helping.
You might brush twice every day—but use too much pressure.
You might avoid candy—but sip an acidic beverage throughout the afternoon.
You might have excellent oral hygiene—but grind your teeth while sleeping.
That’s why personalized preventive dental care is valuable. Your dentist can evaluate your teeth, your gums, your bite, your restorations, and your individual risk factors rather than relying on one-size-fits-all advice.
When Should You See a Dentist?
Consider scheduling a dental examination if you’ve noticed:
- Bleeding or tender gums
- Receding gums
- Persistent tooth sensitivity
- Teeth appearing longer than they once did
- Notches or wear near the gumline
- Chipped or cracked teeth
- Flattened or worn biting surfaces
- Jaw soreness
- Pain when biting or chewing
- A filling or crown that feels different
- Persistent bad breath
- Any significant change in your teeth or gums
Pain isn’t the only reason to visit the dentist.
In many cases, identifying a problem earlier gives you more options for addressing it.
Preventive Dentistry in Daybreak and South Jordan, Utah
If you’re concerned that you’re brushing too hard, grinding your teeth, experiencing gum recession, or developing tooth sensitivity, a dental examination can help determine what’s actually happening.
Dr. James D. Lund, DDS provides preventive and general dental care for individuals and families in Daybreak, South Jordan, and surrounding communities.
Rather than waiting until a tooth hurts, preventive dentistry focuses on protecting healthy teeth, monitoring changes, and addressing potential concerns as early as practical.
Dr. James D. Lund, DDS
10654 River Heights Dr #230
South Jordan, UT 84095
Daybreak Area
Phone: (801) 254-7777
Website: jameslunddds.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Can brushing too hard damage your gums?
Excessive brushing pressure can irritate or injure gum tissue. Using a soft-bristled toothbrush with gentle pressure helps reduce the risk of brushing-related gum injury.
Should I use a soft or medium toothbrush?
For most people, a soft-bristled toothbrush is recommended for everyday brushing. It can effectively remove plaque while being gentler on teeth and gums.
How long should I brush my teeth?
A widely recommended routine is to brush for approximately two minutes, twice a day, using fluoride toothpaste.
How do I know if I’m brushing too hard?
Frequently frayed toothbrush bristles, gum irritation, recession, or sensitivity near the gumline may be reasons to have your brushing technique evaluated. These symptoms can also have other causes, so a dental examination may be appropriate.
Should I brush immediately after drinking soda?
It can be better to rinse your mouth with water rather than immediately brushing following exposure to an acidic beverage. Reducing the frequency of acidic drinks is also important for limiting dental erosion.
Is an electric toothbrush better if I brush too hard?
Both manual and powered toothbrushes can effectively clean teeth. However, an electric toothbrush with a pressure sensor may be useful for someone who has difficulty recognizing excessive brushing pressure.
Do I really need to floss if I brush twice a day?
A toothbrush cannot effectively reach every surface between neighboring teeth. Daily interdental cleaning—with floss or another appropriate interdental cleaner—helps clean areas a toothbrush may miss.
Can grinding your teeth cause permanent damage?
Repeated excessive forces from clenching or grinding can contribute to tooth wear, chips, cracks, sensitivity, and damage to restorations. If you suspect that you grind or clench your teeth, discuss it with your dentist.
Schedule a Dental Visit in South Jordan
Small everyday habits can have a surprisingly large effect on your oral health over time.
If you’ve noticed tooth sensitivity, gum recession, unusual tooth wear, chipped teeth, bleeding gums, or other changes—or you simply want to make sure your home-care routine is working effectively—schedule an appointment with Dr. James D. Lund, DDS in South Jordan, Utah.
Call (801) 254-7777 to schedule an appointment at the Daybreak-area dental office.