Brushing Hard Enough to Feel It
The assumption is that pressure means clean. It doesn't. Aggressive brushing strips enamel, the hard outer layer that does not grow back, and pushes the gum line upward, exposing the softer root surface beneath. A 2019 study published in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology tracked brushing force across participants and found that the majority of people who reported brushing thoroughly were applying two to three times the force recommended by dentists. Indian consumers tend toward medium and hard-bristle brushes, which compound the damage. A soft-bristle brush used at a 45-degree angle to the gum line, with light circular strokes, removes plaque as effectively as scrubbing, and leaves the enamel intact.
