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Dentist says missing 3 things while brushing teeth is harming your oral health: ‘Not cleaning wisdom teeth with…’

Updated on: Aug 1, 2025, 15:47:26 IST
There are several mistakes we make with our oral health, and one of them is missing areas while brushing our teeth. (Unsplash)
There are several mistakes we make with our oral health, and one of them is missing areas while brushing our teeth. (Unsplash)
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Maintaining oral hygiene is crucial for overall health, emphasises dentist Dr Sehgal, outlining three common mistakes that can harm your oral health.

Your oral health is a contributing factor to your overall wellbeing. A compromised oral hygiene can affect your heart health, diabetic levels, and even dementia risk. Therefore, you should always brush your teeth twice a day.

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But just brushing is not enough. There are several mistakes we make with our oral health, and one of them is missing areas while brushing our teeth. In a post shared on February 19, Dr Surina Sehgal, a general dentist, who often posts videos on dental hygiene, talked about the 3 mistakes we often make with oral health.

3 oral health mistakes to avoid

Sharing the 3 mistakes, Dr Surina said, “Here are three areas you are probably missing when brushing your teeth…I'm a dentist. I'm going to tell you how to improve your oral health. It’s so common to make these mistakes, but these could cost you.” Let's find out what these mistakes are:

1. Not brushing between the tooth and the gum line:

If you avoid cleaning your tongue daily, you should know that plaque builds up there, too, not just on your teeth. Not cleaning your tongue can also build up bacteria and yeast, contributing to bad breath.

3. Not cleaning wisdom teeth with a separate brush:

According to Dr Surina, cleaning your wisdom teeth with a separate brush is ‘so important’, especially if you have partially erupted wisdom teeth. She suggested doing this twice daily. “Make sure to use a single tufted brush to clean underneath that gum flap to prevent food, plaque, and bacteria from sitting there for a long time,” she advised.

Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.

 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Krishna Pallavi Priya

Krishna Priya Pallavi is a journalist with over 9 years of experience, covering health, fashion, pop culture, travel, wellness, entertainment, festivals, mental health, art, decor, fitness, and sex and relationships. She is an alumna of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Dhenkanal, and holds an undergraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Delhi. Her strong academic foundation informs her analytical and detail-oriented approach to storytelling, helping her uncover stories where none seem to exist. Before joining Hindustan Times, Pallavi worked with some of India’s leading media organisations. She spent close to three years at India Today, where she honed her newsroom skills and developed a sharp editorial sensibility. She also worked for over a year and a half at Vagabomb, ScoopWhoop’s feminist digital platform, where she explored stories through a gender-sensitive, socially aware lens. Pallavi has a deep interest in global fashion trends and international fashion seasons, and enjoys interviewing celebrities and tracking pop culture movements—interests that frequently translate into engaging, reader-friendly stories. Alongside lifestyle and entertainment, she has a keen eye for impactful health and wellness journalism, regularly interacting with doctors, designers, and digital content creators to bring nuance and credibility to her work. Born and raised in Haryana, Pallavi remains deeply connected to her ancestral roots in Odisha. Her ability to spot fresh angles brings curiosity and depth to stories she pursues. When not chasing deadlines, she enjoys spending time with her dog, planning her next vacation, reading, running new trails, and discovering new destinations.

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