Common "Intensive Brushing Habit" queries answered by top doctors | iCliniq

Intensive Brushing Habit

Intensive brushing habits result in teeth sensitivity and gum recession. In addition, brushing vigorously with small strokes causes enamel erosion. To avoid, brush in a circular motion with broader strokes and using soft bristle brushes. Brushing more than twice a day or brushing after taking acidic foods damages the enamel. Brushing no more than two times or rinsing the mouth after taking acidic foods can help prevent it.

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All the answers published in this website are written by verified medical doctors, therapists and health experts. The Content has been moderated by iCliniq medical review team before publication. Post your medical clarifications on iCliniq by choosing the right specialty and get them answered. Your medical queries will be answered 24/7 by top doctors from iCliniq.

I have receded gums due to overzealous brushing. Please help.

Query: Hello doctor,My current dentist has stated that my teeth and gums are healthy, but I do have a recession on various teeth at varying degrees. This is not due to gum disease but rather from overzealous brushing before I realized I was doing so. I am overwhelmed by the fear of losing my teeth, which i...  Read Full »


Dr. Achanta Krishna Swaroop

Answer: Hello,Welcome to icliniq.com.Yes, the dentist is not entirely correct. Indeed, I have reviewed the enclosed files. I am a maxillofacial surgeon, and your problem falls within my expertise. I can certainly help you by suggesting some non-surgical remedies and oral hygiene tips. Tooth mobility can bec...  Read Full »

My gums have receded due to using smokeless tobacco. Why?

Query: Hello doctor, I am a 32-year-old male. I have used smokeless tobacco called Swedish Snus for going on four years now, always in the same spot. My gums have severely receded in this area. I am otherwise healthy. I recently made an appointment with a periodontist, but I am terrified I may have gum can...  Read Full »


Dr. Naveen Thomas

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have reviewed the images posted (attachment removed to protect patient identity). You have to change your brushing technique as soon as possible. Brush in an up-and-down motion without putting too much pressure on the teeth and gums. The recession is not any cancer...  Read Full »

I am experiencing pain and swelling on the inner side of my gum near the wisdom teeth. What should I do?

Query: Hello doctor,The gum surrounding my wisdom tooth is aching, and the left inner side of my mouth is swollen. I do not have wisdom teeth, but the region around it hurts.Kindly help.  Read Full »


Dr. Hesham Ahmed Abdelhamid Elsayed Shamma

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I read your query and can understand your concern. Pain in this area might be caused by gingival inflammation caused by incorrect brushing technique, forceful brushing, or damage from sharp food, caries in the last molar, which could lead to pulpal infection or inflamm...  Read Full »

Can hitting behind molar a bunch of times cause any medical issues?

Query: Hello doctor,Today after a meal I had some food particles stuck in my top molar all the way in the back. I took my toothbrush and tried to scrub it out real well to get it. While brushing, I put the toothbrush real far back into my mouth to really try and clean that last molar. In the process, I jab...  Read Full »


Dr. Naseer Ahmad Bhat

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have been through your query and as far as I understood I came to a conclusion that if you go far behind your teeth bearing area there is hard and soft tissue which you may injure yourself. The region behind your third molar is hard tissue called ramus of the mandi...  Read Full »

Why does the back of my tooth feel rough?

Query: Hello doctor, About three weeks ago I noticed the backs of only one of my teeth was rough. It has not gotten worse but it has not gotten any less rough after I brush it. On my third tooth forward from my 13 years old molars.  Read Full »


Dr. Geethanjali. S. S

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. The roughness of back teeth should not be a problem. It could be a reason of aggressive tooth brushing or using any aggressive toothpaste or any trauma. If the same tooth becomes sensitive to cold or hot or sweet food then it should be concerned. If you quickly rub thro...  Read Full »

What is the painful red spot on my gum, despite routine flossing?

Query: Hello doctor, I have a red spot on my gum, and it is painful. I have been keeping a good flossing routine for about a week now. Kindly help.  Read Full »


Dr. Ummah Mohammad

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand your concern. I saw the attached pictures (attachments removed to protect the patient’s identity); it looks like a gingival injury caused by hot food or rough brushing technique. This can be due to the following reasons; 1) Injury due to hot or spicy...  Read Full »

I have receding gums due to excessive brushing. Please help.

Query: Hello doctor, My gums have been receding gradually because of excessive and careless brushing. Please suggest the best solution to tackle this problem without surgery. Thank you.   Read Full »


Dr. Beryl F

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Excessive and careless brushing causes loss of tooth structure (enamel) along with gum recession. Is there any sensitivity or pain while consuming hot or cold foods? How many teeth have receded gums? The treatment of gum recession depends on the number of teeth invo...  Read Full »

What could be the cause for my receding gums for a single tooth?

Query: Hi doctor, This afternoon I noticed some pretty severe gum recession on my left lower cuspid (approximately 5 mm). As far as I can tell, it is the only tooth with any signs of gum recession, and I think it might be due to crowding (my lateral incisor and first bicuspid are slightly behind and might ...  Read Full »


Dr. Tooba Qazi

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. It is okay. You do not need to rush to the dentist. The clinical scenario of teeth that you told indicates that most probably this gum recession is caused by yourself. You brush like giving a slight high power stroke on right and left bicuspids and then with normal forc...  Read Full »

Why does my 15-month-old baby have discolored teeth?

Query: Hi doctor, My daughter is 15 months old. Her weight is 18 lbs (pounds) and height is 2.6feer. Her food includes apple, rice, green gram, vegetables along with breast milk. But, I am not adding sugar or salt. I am giving her Ostocalcium, vitamin D and multivitamins as suggested by her pediatrician. S...  Read Full »


Dr. Naveen Thomas

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. The white discoloration (attachment removed to protect patient identity) is the demineralization of enamel on the surface of teeth. It occurs due to prolonged sticking of food items, especially mother's milk after feeding. It is very simple to prevent the formation...  Read Full »

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