Do your teeth hurt after you brush? Though this is not a normal occurrence, don't worry just yet. Sometimes, your brushing technique might be to blame for dental pain after brushing. But, if the pain persists, then you could have a dental issue that requires dental treatment.
If you are experiencing dental pain after brushing, then it could be due to one of the following causes.
Your Toothbrush Bristles Are Too Hard
Believe it or not but you can cause your teeth to hurt if you use a toothbrush with hard bristles. When you brush with a hard-bristled toothbrush, you can traumatise your teeth, especially if the enamel layer on your teeth isn't very thick.
Your teeth contain nerves that receive sensations via tubules in the dentin layer, which lies under your enamel. If the bristles on your toothbrush are too hard, the nerves in your teeth will let you know. Soften your toothbrush bristles by running your toothbrush under some hot water, then massage the bristles until they are soft.
You Brush With Too Much Force
Brushing too hard can also send pain sensations to the nerve in the centre of each tooth. You don't need to brush your teeth hard to remove plaque and food debris. Brush gently and with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
You Brush Too Soon After Meals
After meals, especially meals that contain acidic foods, such as tomato sauce and vinegar, your teeth are softer than usual. In this state, they are sensitive. They are also vulnerable to damage. If you have a habit of brushing your teeth soon after meals then this is why your teeth hurt afterwards.
Wait around 30 minutes after meals before brushing. This will give your saliva time to neutralize any acids and your teeth time to harden before you introduce a toothbrush into the mix.
You Have a Cavity
If your teeth hurt long after you have finished brushing your teeth, you could have a dental cavity. The cavity could also be quite deep if the pain continues long after you have finished brushing your teeth. You might need urgent dental care to save your tooth in this case. If the nerve in the pained tooth dies, you might need a root canal.
See your dentist as soon as you can if you suspect a cavity is to blame for the pain. Look for discolouration of the tooth. Even if you can't see a cavity, don't rule it out. Cavities also occur between teeth and so can be difficult to see. If a cavity is the cause of your tooth pain, you need a dentist to fill the cavity before bacteria can invade the space and kill the nerve.
Contact a dentist for more information.
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