5 common questions asked to me as a dentist with answers

1. Why do I get cavities even after brushing my teeth twice a day?

Even though cavities are preventable it's the most common non-infectious disease in the world according to the Global burden of diseases 2019. So, why is this so common? The answer is complicated, dental cavities are a multifactorial disease so just by brushing twice it cannot be avoided. One needs to brush twice, with the right toothpaste in the right amount with proper strokes. Also, eating sweets, sticky foods, food and beverages with high content added sugars (your sodas, fast foods) also puts you at risk. And finally the inherent nature of your own teeth and the quality of your saliva also plays a major role.

1. What toothpaste do I use for brushing? Is fluoridated toothpaste harmful?

This was the first question my husband asked me when we met. There are plenty of toothpastes in the market and one is always confused about this. While choosing a toothpaste, always prefer a fluoridated one to a non-fluoridated toothpaste. This is simply because Fluoride prevents cavities. There are a lot of non-fluoridated herbal toothpastes available in the market. I personally don’t prefer them since we are not a country that has fluoridated water like the USA. And also, toothpaste has a similar effect as a cream since it is not ingested. In case one needs any special quality in a paste like anti-sensitivity or to improve gum strength, etc. kindly talk to your dentist about it and then select the toothpaste.

1. Why do I suffer from bad breath?

Bad breath arises from multiple reasons. From an oral cavity perspective, it could be simply because one has lots of cavities, the second most common reason is from unhealthy gums and heavy deposits of plaque and calculus in teeth. Thirdly, one could have severe gastritis which also reflects as bad breath

1. Is an electric toothbrush better than a manual toothbrush?

The answer is NO electric toothbrushes and manual toothbrushes have similar cleaning efficiency. But an electric brush does wonders in individuals who suffer from Parkinsons. Also, many of my patients brush really hard while using a manual toothbrush. One needs to choose a soft/ extra soft bristle and brush with minimum force for 2 minutes 2x a day with a fluoridated toothpaste. If you are someone who brushes with a lot of force then an electric toothbrush will definitely help decrease the abrasion in teeth.

1. How often should I visit a dentist?

Ideally you must visit your dentist once in 6 months, just for a regular check up. We all know that “Prevention is better than cure”, Prevention is also cheaper than cure, Prevention of dental disease not only improves your quality of life but also can save a ton of money and time. All one has to do is visit a dentist biannually.

If you have any questions please comment below. I will be glad to answer.