If you are holding your toothbrush like a tennis racket, you may be scrubbing your teeth a little too hard. Try holding your toothbrush more like a pencil, with the pads of your fingers. Brushing your teeth and gums with too much force actually makes the brush bristles work less efficiently and can contribute to problems with your teeth and gums. Think about painting with a paint brush and how much better the brush works with a light touch vs. a heavy hand.