Which regimen would BEST assist the patient in addressing her chief complaint about gum recession and tooth length?

• A. Stop using a hard toothbrush and switch to a power toothbrush with rounded head and pressure sensor
• B. Continue using a hard toothbrush
• C. Start using whitening toothpaste
• D. Brush more vigorously

Answer: (A)

Gum recession and the appearance of longer teeth are often driven by mechanical wear along the gumline from brushing. When brushing hard with stiff bristles, the gingival tissue and root surfaces can be abraded, causing the gums to pull back and the tooth to look longer.

Switching to a regimen that stops using a hard toothbrush and adopts a power toothbrush with a rounded head and a pressure sensor directly reduces that trauma. A soft or gentle brushing approach with a rounded head minimizes contact damage to the gum margin, while the built-in pressure sensor helps ensure you’re not brushing too hard. This combination supports cleaner teeth without aggressive abrasion, protecting the gums and helping prevent further recession and sensitivity from exposed roots.

Continuing to use a hard toothbrush would likely worsen recession, and whitening toothpaste or brushing more vigorously don’t address the mechanical cause and could even add to wear.