Over brushing ‘damages teeth’

The goal of brushing is to remove plaque, which is soft and it doesn't require scrubbing or hard bristles to remove it.

Gum need right amount of stimulation. You are in danger of damaging your gums if too much pressure, but ignoring them can lead to gum disease and build up of plaque.

                                                                   

Many of us believe that the longer and harder we brush our teeth, the better. You could actually be harming your gums and possibly your teeth. 

Gum Recession

Abrasion Cavity

 

It may cause the gums to recede. Receding gums can lead to other dental problems such as cavities on the roots of the teeth (abrasion cavity) and may lead to the need for treatments such as fillings, root canals and tooth extraction.

Filling (white colour) on abrasion cavity

 

Thoroughness is what is required for plaque removal, not aggressive brushing. You’re not going to achieve any extra benefit by brushing hard.”

Changing brushing habits can usually stop the problem from getting worse. The best thing to do is practice proper brushing. 

best brushing angle of toothbrush 45 degree

 

It is important to use a soft brush and gently brush the outer tooth surfaces at a 45 degree angle using a vibrating back and forth rolling motion. Remember not to “saw” away at your teeth and gums; gently but thorough is best!

奶瓶龋

奶瓶龋（bottle-feeding caries）是指婴幼儿时期由于长期使用奶瓶喂养造成的乳前牙广泛龋坏。

成因

1.长期用奶瓶人工喂养，瓶塞贴附于上颌乳前牙。

2.奶瓶内多喂牛奶、砂糖、果汁等易产酸发酵的饮料。
3.乳牙萌出不久，乳牙的牙质薄、矿化程度差, 表面结构不成熟, 使其抗龋力弱。
4.人工喂养时，哺乳时的吸吮动作不如母乳喂养者活跃。
5.有的孩子喜欢长时间叼着奶瓶或含着奶瓶睡觉，而当婴幼儿人睡后，唾液分泌减少或停止、吞咽功能减弱。

6.口腔的自洁、稀释、中和作用均下降，发酵的碳水化合物便存留在口腔中，并环绕在牙齿周围，很容易发生龋齿。

发病特点

1.主要发生在上颌乳前牙的唇面，与瓶塞贴附于上颌乳前牙唇面有关。
2.少见于下颌乳前牙，可能与吸吮时下颌、下唇运动、瓶塞所贴附牙面的位置近舌下腺和下颌下腺导管的开口等因素有关。
3.发展较快，可较快发展为广泛性龋。刚萌出的乳牙钙化程度低，牙质软，又是多个牙齿同时浸泡在奶液里，故龋坏速度快，龋坏牙数多。

临床表现

    最初在上颌乳切牙的唇面龈缘处出现白垩色斑点或带状脱矿，岁后逐渐向下向旁边蔓延，侵蚀邻近的牙面形成环状龋，呈棕褐色，并最终发生牙冠折断，仅留下残根。
    奶瓶龋的发生不仅使乳牙的切割功能大大降低，而且随着病变加重，会引起牙髓及牙根尖病变，这时孩子会感到剧烈疼痛或牙龈肿胀、流脓，严重的还会影响恒牙的发育。一旦因龋蚀严重无法治疗，而将乳牙过早拔除，就会扰乱乳恒牙替换的生理规律，引起恒牙萌出秩序错乱，给孩子的牙齿发育带来不良影响。因此，一旦发现孩子有奶瓶龋的迹象，应及早带孩子去口腔科诊治。

预防

一、正确的使用奶瓶喂养
刚萌出的牙对龋病非常敏感,为了从出生起就保护好孩子的牙齿,你和其他照料你孩子的人必须知道正确使用奶瓶喂养的方法。为了预防儿童奶瓶龋,应遵循下列措施:
    1. 首先使幼儿戒除用奶瓶吸奶诱导入睡的习惯，如果在孩子睡觉时必须使用奶瓶,只用白水!
    2. 不要将牛奶、果汁或其他甜水如软饮料放入奶瓶,这些液休都含有蔗糖,会危害你孩子的牙齿。
    3.一周岁后停止使用奶瓶, 可训练用杯子喝奶, 喝完奶后可再给少量白开水。

二、 增强幼儿体质  
随着幼儿生长需要, 调整饮食成分,逐渐添加辅食, 从6个月起添加米汤、菜泥、蛋黄等辅助食物, 减少含糖食物, 补充机体营养, 增强幼儿体质。

三、 注意婴幼儿口腔卫生  
对奶瓶龋患儿, 家长需定时用沾温开水的湿纱布擦洗牙面3次/天, 2岁半左右的幼儿乳牙已全部萌出, 应在可接受的条件下训练刷牙, 不一定非用牙膏, 可单用凉白开水以防误食, 使其从小养成好的口腔卫生习惯。