Dental Care Mistakes You Didn’t Know You Were Making

A Conversation with Dr. Manasi Upadhyay

We often assume that our daily brushing routine is enough to protect our teeth. But many of us don’t give our oral health the attention it deserves. This happens not because dental care is complicated, but because we were never fully aware of the long-term consequences of poor habits.

So unknowingly, the dental care habits, which we think are protecting us, end up doing more harm than good.

To know more about this topic in detail, we had the privilege to speak with Dr. Manasi Upadhyay about some simple changes we can make to protect our oral hygiene.

Brushing Mistakes That You Didn’t Know Could Be Affecting Your Oral Health

Most of us brush our teeth every day without giving it much thought – but some common mistakes can silently damage our teeth and gums over time, says Dr Manasi Upadhyay. 

According to her, these are some common mistakes we make while brushing:

• Using a hard brush: We usually believe that when we use a hard brush, our teeth get cleaner. But the fact is, a soft-bristled brush doesn’t scrape away the enamel, unlike a hard brush, and helps protect it from sensitivity.
• Brushing technique: A lot of times, we naturally brush in straight, back-and-forth motions, but instead, if we use small circular movements, plaque gets removed more easily. It also helps protect our teeth and gums.
• Regularly using medicated toothpaste: Medicated toothpastes can give relief when you’re experiencing specific symptoms, but before using them daily, it’s best to ask your dentist if they’re suitable for regular use. Otherwise, they may gradually disturb your mouth’s natural balance of good bacteria.

Why Brushing Immediately After Meals Can Damage Your Teeth

We often consider brushing right after a meal to be a very logical and hygienic practice, because it cleans away the food particles immediately and gives us fresh breath. 

But right after a meal, our enamel is softened. If we scrub away the weakened enamel with our toothbrush, it can cause permanent damage and speed up the enamel loss.

This is why Dr Manasi recommends waiting at least 30-40 minutes after eating, as it gives our saliva enough time to neutralise the acids. Thus, our enamel can harden naturally through a process called remineralisation.

The Problems With Over-Brushing

When we want to take extra care of our teeth, we think brushing three times a day will help us stay fresh.

But Dr Manasi emphasises, when we brush too many times, the protective coating of our teeth gets damaged, and it makes them even more vulnerable to cavities.

So the next time you feel like giving some extra care to your teeth, purposely avoid over-brushing to protect them in the long run.

How to Choose the Right Brush for Gentle Cleaning?

When it comes to oral hygiene, a good toothbrush and the right toothpaste can make all the difference, suggests Dr Manasi. 

• Brushes with a flat head can’t reach the deepest corners of our mouths. So use a toothbrush with a V-shaped head to reach those parts before cavities even appear.
• Find toothbrushes that have the bristles in a zig-zag design, because it’s very difficult to reach the interdental spaces ( the small gaps between your teeth) with straight bristles.  
• For daily brushing, a standard toothpaste available in the market is usually the best choice, unless your dentist advises otherwise.

Flossing Your Teeth Is Just as Important as Brushing

We don’t make flossing our teeth as much of a habit as brushing, assuming it’s not as vital. But Dr Manasi Upadhyay says it’s just as important. 

When we eat, the food particles often settle in between our teeth, and no matter how many times we brush, we can’t reach them.

With time, this can lead to proximal caries, cavities that form between the teeth. We can’t see these areas easily and feel  their effects only when the damage is more serious.

It’s okay if you feel the process of traditional flossing is difficult. You can use interdental brushes instead. They’re small, bristled tools that can perfectly clean between teeth.

Is Your Mouthwash Really Helpful?

We get tempted to buy a mouthwash, assuming it will help our teeth better than our regular toothpaste.

While mouthwash can actually give us a fresh breath and reduce bacteria, Dr Manasi says we shouldn’t use the ones that are too strong or alcohol-based regularly.  They often dry our mouths, which makes us more vulnerable to cavities.

It also destroys the natural balance of good bacteria in our mouth, and can stain our teeth in the long run.

So, while mouthwash does have its advantages, we shouldn’t use it unless absolutely recommended by your doctor.

Signs Your Dental Routine Might Be Harming Your Teeth

Even though we want the best for our oral health, sometimes we tend to ignore the signs that are silently damaging our teeth. Dr Manasi shared with us some signs that we shouldn’t ignore:

1. Dry Mouth:
   If your mouth feels very dry too often, it’s possible that you are using strong mouthwashes too frequently. If you have dry mouth, less saliva is produced, which helps neutralise the acids that cause tooth decay.
   
2. Gum Recession:
   When we brush with a lot of pressure, our gums start to recede. As a result, the sensitive parts of the teeth get exposed and cause gum recession.
   
3. Increased Sensitivity or Erosion:
   If your teeth are extremely sensitive to hot or cold foods, it’s a sign that your tooth is silently eroding.

If you see any of these signs, get your routine checked by a dental professional.

DIY Teeth Whitening: Do We Actually Need It?

There are many DIY whitening methods that we can think of:  baking soda, lemon juice, and charcoal powder. While we do love to feel more confident in a short amount of time, they often do more harm than good.

Dr Manasi Upadhyay suggests healthy, natural teeth are always safer than a quick, risky glow-up. So we should just rinse our mouths with salt water, which is safe and has no side effects.

Why Regular Dental Check-Ups Matter More Than You Think

According to the World Health Organization, we should visit the dentist at least once a year for good oral health.

Dr Manasi recommends, when we do these routine check-ups, we can spot problems like cavities, gum disease, or infections, way before they become serious and can be treated in time.

Salt Water Rinses: The Simple Home Remedy For Oral Health

“Yes, saline water decreases sensitivity, cleans your oral cavity & prevents infections too.”, says Dr Manasi. 

We have all heard our parents recommend salt water for a toothache ever since our childhood. Rinsing the mouth with salt water, the inexpensive home remedy, helps in several ways:

• It neutralises pH in the mouth, which soothes inflamed nerves and reduces tooth sensitivity.
• It reduces oral infections, helps to clean the oral cavity, and flushes out harmful bacteria.
• It is soothing for infections, especially after dental procedures or in cases of minor gum irritation or ulcers.

A simple mix of this home remedy can support your overall oral hygiene without any side effects.

Acidic Foods and Drinks That Can Harm Your Enamel

Dr Manasi recommends that there are a few foods and beverages that tend to be acidic and can cause tooth decay. Don’t worry, we don’t need to stop eating them, but we should limit items like:

• Cold drinks and aerated beverages – These often contain phosphoric acid and carbonic acid, which are harmful to our enamel and make our teeth more prone to cavities.
• Vinegar-based foods – Vinegar is used in a lot of pickles and certain sauces. It’s extremely acidic, and needs to be consumed in moderation.
• Citrus fruits –  Lemons, oranges, and other citrus fruits are usually healthy, but they also contain citric acid, which can soften the enamel and increase sensitivity if we do not rinse them away.

3 Simple Habits to Start Today for Better Dental Health

1. Brush Twice Daily
   We should always brush our teeth twice a day, both in the morning and at night, and especially at night, because it prevents bacteria from building up while we sleep.
   
2. Rinse Your Mouth After Every Meal:
   When we rinse your mouth with plain water after a meal, it removes leftover food, dilutes the acids, and reduces the growth of bacteria.
   
3. Reduce Sticky and Sugary Foods:
   Sweets and candies are sticky, and they cling to our teeth even after we are done eating. They create the perfect environment for bacteria to thrive. Try to limit their intake, especially between meals, and choose healthier alternatives when possible.

Conclusion

Let’s face it, dental care can sometimes feel like a chore, and it’s easy to ignore habits that need to be reviewed.

But we don’t need drastic changes to care for our teeth. Just a few changes, like choosing the right brush or visiting your dentist once a year, can make a lot of difference.

Our teeth quietly help us every day, through every bite and every laugh. It’s time we return the favour by keeping that strength shining through.