Does rough tooth brushing cause tooth sensitivity and gum recession?

We are often told that brushing your teeth too hard can cause gum recession. In some cases this is true, however the more common reason for gum recession and tooth sensitivity is a condition called Temporal Mandibular Joint Dysfunction.

New studies have shown that gum recession is actually caused by clenching and grinding (bruxism) rather than tooth brushing. If you can imagine shaking a fence post continuously, the foundation around the fence post will gradually start to fall away. Our teeth are much the same in that when we spend hours a night grinding or clenching, our bone and gums begin to recede.

Studies have shown that ninety-eight percent of adults clench or grind their teeth as a reaction to emotional triggers. During daily eating and chewing, the average person exerts between 12 to 25 kilograms of force, while grinding or clenching teeth can exert as much as 250 kilograms of force. Keeping this in mind, it's easy to imagine the impact grinding and clenching has on your teeth when it is occurring on a regular basis.

The majority of tooth grinding and clenching happens unconsciously during sleep. Consequently most people are unaware of the damage being caused until the symptoms become apparent in the mouth. In some cases, chronic grinding can result in fracturing, loosening, or loss of teeth. Chronic grinding may wear a person's dentition down to stumps. When grinding and clenching is left untreated; bridges, crowns, root canals, implants, partial dentures, and even complete dentures may be required. Severe grinding will damage teeth and possibly result in tooth loss. It can also affect a person's jaw, result in hearing loss, and even change the appearance of the face.

Signs and symptoms of bruxism may include:

  • Teeth grinding or clenching, which may be loud enough to awaken your sleep partner
  • Teeth that are worn down, flattened, fractured or chipped
  • Worn tooth enamel, exposing deeper layers of your tooth
  • Increased tooth sensitivity
  • Jaw pain or tightness in your jaw muscles
  • Enlarged jaw muscles
  • Earache - because of severe jaw muscle contractions
  • Headaches
  • Chronic facial pain
  • Chewed tissue on the inside of the cheek
  • Indentations on the tongue

Treatment of grinding/clenching

A splint, also called a night guard, is the most common solution used to help prevent the damages of teeth grinding or clenching and is worn during sleep. The splint is designed to prevent wear on the teeth and to separate the teeth by millimetres in order to relax the jaw muscles. In most cases, the splint is slightly thicker than an orthodontic retainer. In more pronounced cases, the dentist may suggest a slightly more retentive night guard which is designed to help people with severe jaw pain and/or headaches.