Take good care of your teeth!

For the first time in my life I have went to a dentist today. Though the experience was good, the reason I went there was not good. I have some problems.

A month ago I started getting tooth ache and it was obviously because of tooth decay. Now I curse myself for not brushing my teeth properly and taking good care of my teeth. Then the pain was mild and hence I did not think too much about it. This tooth decay has now increased and has made my teeth too sensitive. I can no longer chew ice and drink ice cold water. At worst I am not able to open my mouth and talk freely. There is no more ignoring and I rushed to the dentist for a checkup. The dentist advised for a tooth cleanup and polish and tooth filling. Thank god, my condition was not too worse and the dentist said that my problem can be solved without pulling any tooth off. I then fixed an appointment for tooth cleaning and polishing on 8-July-2011. I entered the theater and was asked to lie down on the inclining chair. The doctor attending me was a nice lady. She was soft spoken and very caring and gentle. I asked her on what she will be doing now! She patiently explained me the procedure and assured me that this will be painless and she will make sure that I will very comfortable.

I am not a biology or medical student and hence will explain the procedure in layman's language. There was a crooked tip made of steel. It was moderately sharp and was connected to a machine which was run by electricity. This machine made the moderately sharp tool vibrate. The extent to which the object vibrates can be controlled. There was a tube which sprayed supposedly water I guess (on my next appointment I will try to ask on what it was). was sprayed in my mouth.

The machine is switched on and the object vibrates. It is then moved the on corners and joints and tooth area touching the gums and on the teeth. Depending on the vibration you will experience sensitive feeling on your teeth. At points when the sensitivity is unbearable you can ask the doctor to stop and relax for a minute and the process will start again. Once this over you can see your teeth in the mirror and you will feel it is indeed clean. Still you will not find your teeth to be white and shiny. Well the polishing is yet to come! You can now gargle your mouth and relax for a while. When you are ready the process of polishing your teeth starts.

People who have seen floor polishing can easily guess on how this will be done. A paste which is the polish will be applied to the teeth. It tastes sweet but yuck. Once the dentist is done applying it all over your teeth another appliance is used. This new object is similar in appearance to the one previously except it has a polishing head at the tip. This polishing head rotates and is applied on your teeth. Once this is done you will have to again gargle and spit out. Then the nurse will bring a cup of mouth wash and will ask you to gargle. This solution too tastes yuck! I have tried quite a few dental products and they all are taste too bad. Real bad! I guess people manufacturing or deriving the formula for these drugs have no taste quality in them. Or I guess they do not want us to take these drugs. Of course if we take them all the dentists will be job less. :D

Now the dentist will give you some tips your well being. If you follow them you might not visit them again for any serious problem. I have mentioned those tips for your information.


Disclaimer: These tips where given by the dentist to me and hopefully might apply to every normal human being out there. Still this is not a prescription. Do not sue me if some thing adverse happens. LOL :)

1. Brush your teeth twice everyday. Once in the evening and once at night before going to the bed. 
2. Do not drink or eat anything immediately after brushing. 
3. 20 mins after brushing wash your mouth with a good mouthwash. The mouth wash should contain Chlorhexidine. I was prescribed Hexidine. 
4. Do not drink or eat anything for the next 30 mins.  
5. Change your toothbrush once in every three months. 
6. Get your teeth cleaned at least twice every year. 
7. Gargle your mouth after every meal you have. 
8. Gargle your mouth after you eat anything sweet. 
9. Keep a pinch of salt on the toothpaste while brushing. This is a natural antiseptic. 

That's it for my first experience. Tomorrow I have to go to the dentist to get my decayed teeth filled. :( 

Remember to keep your teeth in good condition! Take care!