Dentists Reveal the 3 Oral Habits Indians Get Totally Wrong

The everyday things we do “right”… until we don’t.

If you grew up in an Indian household, chances are your first oral care lesson came with a side of salt, neem, or coal powder. And while many of these traditions had good intentions, not all of them hold up under a dentist’s lens today.

So we asked dentists one simple question:

“What are the most common mistakes you see Indians make when it comes to oral care?”

Their answers were honest, eye-opening and probably not what you’d expect.

Here are three habits they see all the time. And how to fix them.

1. Brushing too hard (and thinking that’s a good thing)

Many people believe the harder you brush, the cleaner your teeth get. It feels logical to scrub harder, get better results. But dentists say this habit is doing more harm than good.

Aggressive brushing can:

• Wear down your enamel
  

• Cause gum recession
  

• Trigger sensitivity over time
  
  

A better approach?

Use a gentle grip, and soft bristles, and let the brush do the work. If you’re using an electric toothbrush like GentleX, its motion is already optimized for effective plaque removal no elbow grease is required.

2. Skipping tongue cleaning altogether

Bad breath doesn’t just come from your teeth.

Your tongue hosts a lot of bacteria. And if you’re brushing daily but ignoring your tongue, you’re leaving the job half-done.

In fact, tongue coating is one of the biggest reasons behind persistent bad breath, or halitosis.

Most dentists recommend using a dedicated tongue cleaner  not your brush  to gently scrape off the buildup every morning.

It takes 10 seconds. But the impact? Noticeable.

Learn more in our blog on why toothpaste isn’t enough to fight bad breath.

3. Still ignoring flossing (or thinking it’s an “American” thing)

We’ve heard this one before:

“My teeth don’t have gaps, so I don’t need to floss.”

Wrong.

Flossing isn’t about spacing. It’s about what gets stuck  and what your brush can’t reach.

Plaque and food debris between teeth can lead to cavities and gum inflammation, even if you brush twice a day.

If traditional floss feels tricky, try a water flosser. It’s gentler, especially for sensitive gums, and can be used even with braces or dental work. At Tusk, we’re building oral care solutions for modern Indian routines  minus the guilt and guesswork.

Let’s be honest

Oral care in India has always been rooted in tradition. But that doesn’t mean we can’t evolve.

The best routines come from combining what we know with what actually works. And that means trusting evidence over assumptions, dentists over Dadi-ke-nuskhe, and quality care over quick fixes.

So if you’ve been brushing hard, skipping your tongue, or treating flossing like an optional luxury  it’s not too late. Your teeth (and gums) will thank you.

Explore more about daily brushing mistakes in our guide to better brushing.

And for a toothbrush that’s built around your habits  not random trends  take a look at GentleX.

Because the best habits?

They’re the ones that actually work.