Everything you wanted to know about dentistry but were too cool to ask

By Amit Ganglani

Considering my last article about gum disease and its effects scared most readers into believing they were going to lose their teeth, I wanted to address a lighter topic this time around. Over the course of my one and half years in practice I have come across some strange questions and even stranger home remedies, like the patient who placed chewing gum into their cavity or the one who kept a piece of cotton soaked in vodka on her painful tooth. Patients often ask me about differences between electric and manual toothbrushes, the ideal kind of mouthwash to use, how to trick their dentist into thinking that they floss (you can’t, we know everything). So to those of you who have held back from asking the questions, consider this the equivalent of your aunty sharing her secret mango barfi recipe with you.

Toothbrushes

(Wo)mankind has come a long way from using animal bones and bird feathers to clean their teeth. Not exactly ideal for vegetarians, the first mass produced toothbrush was created in 1780 by an Englishman who took an animal bone and drilled holes through which he ran bristles. The Dupont Company solved that problem in 1938 with the introduction of nylon bristles on a plastic handle. Now with advances in toothbrush technology and the rise of the electric toothbrush in its many forms, patients are confused and frustrated by the choices.

Before you buy any toothbrush ensure that the bristles are soft! Not medium or hard as these bristles can cause damage by ripping away precious enamel off of the tooth surface leading to tooth ledges and sensitivity. As you have noticed there are many different types of electric toothbrushes on the market, some oscillate, others rotate. Some dispense toothpaste yet others have funky attachments better suited for cleaning your car. The bottom line is this (in my opinion of course): All electric toothbrushes effectively do the same thing which is to clean the plaque off your teeth. You should pick one that you find comfortable and can afford.

Electric toothbrushes are ideal for people with limited mobility as they do not require the user to do anything other than hold it in place. Most have timers that ensure you are brushing for the proper amount of time (remember, sing the Indian national anthem 3 times). If you are wearing braces or have had extensive dental work, an electric one with the different shaped attachments is ideal to get under your bridge and in-between your braces.

So dear readers of the Indus valley civilization, manual or electric, just get a soft toothbrush and brush your teeth! Your dentist will thank you and you will look hotter in your shaadi.com profile photo.

Toothpaste

So now you’ve dropped $150 for the ultimate toothbrush that cleans, scrubs and even picks up your “curry in hurry” take out, what kind of toothpaste do you dispense on this magic instrument?

Once again the bottom line is this: Most modern toothpastes consist of a variety of ingredients ranging from preservatives, detergents and fluoride. There once was a time when toothpaste was simple; it fought cavities and freshened your breath. Today it can whiten your teeth, rebuild enamel and reduce sensitivity. Your basic criteria for toothpaste selection should consist of this: does it contain fluoride? Check. Does it come in bubblegum flavor? Check. That’s it. Now if you have more specific needs then look for the following.

Sensitive teeth:  This is caused by the exposure of the dentin to air, saliva etc. Dentin sits under the tough enamel layer. As enamel wears away, from brushing too hard, bleaching too frequently your teeth feel weak and when exposed to….

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