Many of us brush our teeth three times a day believing that more brushing helps keep teeth white, shining and strong for long time. While regular brushing of teeth is a good idea but if you brush with toothpaste then this recent finding will make you think twice when you brush next time. This study presented at the American Dental Association meeting last fall suggests that excessive brushing with toothpaste damages tooth enamel and soft tissues and is second major cause of abrasion wear and behind tooth grinding. All toothpaste contains abrasive particles that can sand off portions of the teeth. Over time, enamel becomes thinner.
Since the release of the report, many doctors have started advising their patients to go toothpaste-free. Dr Nealis, who for past 25 years had been encouraging his patients to brush their teeth says:
“The overwhelming reaction I get is that they’re skeptical, they’re shocked”
I am sure that toothpaste manufacturing companies will soon come up with a toothpaste that has solution to this problem. Till then those who think that toothbrush and toothpaste go hand in hand, start getting used to brush your teeth without toothpaste.
