Myth: Brushing harder cleans teeth better

If effort equalled cleanliness, the hardest scrubbers would have the healthiest mouths. They usually have the most worn ones.

We scrub pans harder when they're dirty, so the logic feels natural. But teeth aren't cookware, and plaque isn't burnt rice: it comes off with technique, not force.

Brushing too hard damages gums and enamel. Receding gums and notched, sensitive teeth are the signature injuries of the aggressive brusher, and neither grows back.

Use a soft-bristled brush, gentle circular strokes, and two full minutes. Let the bristles and the fluoride do the work. If your brush splays flat within weeks, you're pressing too hard.

Wondering what this means for your teeth? Book a 15-minute consultation.