Soft toothbrush with small head and flexible neck should be used.

It is advised to use a fluoride containing toothpaste to decrease the incidence of dental decay. It is also suggested not to use any medicated toothpaste unless advised by your dentist.

Brushing should be done twice daily. The ideal time for brushing is after breakfast & before going to bed at night

Brush at a 45 degree angle to the gums, gently using a small, circular motion. Brush the outer, inner, and biting surfaces of each tooth. Use the tip of the brush head to clean the inside front teeth. Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and freshen your breath.

Floss is a waxed thread used to clean the area between two teeth where a brush cannot reach

Flossing of the teeth once per day helps to prevent cavities from forming between the teeth where your toothbrush can't reach. Flossing also helps to keep your gums healthy.

Use enough floss to be able to wrap it around your two index / middle fingers leaving an inch or two of floss between. Holding the floss tightly, gently move the floss up and down between teeth. Go beneath the gumline by curving the floss around each tooth. To remove floss, use the same back and forth motion to gently bring the floss away from teeth.

Bleeding gums are one of the signs of gum disease. Think of gum tissue as the skin on your hand. If your hands bled every time you washed them, you would know something was wrong

Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease which can cause red, swollen and bleeding gums. Gingivitis is reversible if the plaque and calculus (tarter) are removed from your teeth. If not treated, gingivitis can lead to periodontitis.

Periodontitis is a bacterial infection which can destroy the gums and bone that support your teeth; eventually leading to tooth loss. Periodontal disease is often undiagnosed and is a major cause of tooth loss in adults.

Generally speaking, pockets refer to increased gap between two neighboring teeth resulting from disease of underlying gums and bone.

Generally speaking, a hole in tooth is referred as cavity. It may be very small or large.

When a cavity is detected, it is crucial that this is treated as soon as possible even if it isn't bothering you.  If left untreated, over time, this cavity is likely to become larger and deeper requiring a larger filling, Root Canal Treatment, a crown or tooth extraction.

Filling is a procedure in which cavity in a tooth is cleaned and filled with a strong material.

Natural tooth-colored fillings are available and have excellent results. They are not only very strong but being tooth colored have obvious cosmetic advantage over metallic fillings.

If a cavity in a tooth is so large that it has involved nerves & blood vessels inside the roots, then cleaning / shaping of the small canals inside the roots and then filling them is called Root Canal Treatment.

Previously, the only treatment of toothache was extraction. However, nowadays extraction is the last option. With advancements in dentistry, now most of the teeth can be saved if treated on time.

Missing teeth can be replaced by denture, bridge or an implant.

Denture refers to removable plastic teeth. Denture rest on gums.

These are fixed teeth made up of metal porcelain. The bridge fits on neighboring teeth, making it strong and giving it the shape and color of natural teeth.

Dental implant is an artificial root that is placed into the jaw bone to replace a missing tooth. An artificial tooth is placed on the implant, giving the appearance and feel of a natural tooth. Implants are very stable, durable, and are the most aesthetically pleasing tooth replacement option.

The crown / bridge will be made to closely match your other teeth. The shade of the neighboring teeth will be recorded, to make sure that the color looks natural and matches the surrounding teeth. However 100% matching is not always possible

Because the shape of the crown / bridge / implant will be slightly different from the shape of you tooth, you may be aware of it to begin with. Within a few days it should feel fine, and you will not notice it. The crown / bridge / implant may need some adjustment if it feels higher than the surrounding teeth. If it is at all uncomfortable ask your dentist to check and adjust it.

These days there are a range of options to help your teeth look great.  Stained teeth, dark teeth, chipped teeth, crooked teeth, and even teeth that are missing altogether, can be repaired or replaced.  If this is something you have been thinking about, the best thing to do is to arrange a cosmetic consultation to assess the most suitable treatment for you.

Teeth whitening is a cosmetic dentistry procedure designed to remove stains and discolorations as well as lighten the teeth color. The level of bleaching that can be achieved will depend on the level of discoloration of the teeth and what types of stains are present. Teeth that are brown or yellow due to coffee, tea or smoking will generally lighten more than teeth that are gray due to stains within the teeth.

Crooked teeth can be made straight and beautiful by orthodontic treatment (Braces).

Bad breath is an unpleasant and embarrassing condition. There are various reasons one may have bad breath, but in healthy people, the major reason is due to bacteria deposits on the tongue.  Some studies have shown that simply brushing the tongue reduced bad breath by as much as 70 percent. However if symptoms continue, you must see your dentist.