One of the most efficient seduction weapons is, surely, a beautiful smile. Well looked-after teeth and fresh breath are aphrodisiac and very sexy, agree? For answering a few frequently asked questions, I have spoken with a dentist, Dr. Carlos Augusto Durieux – he is a specialist in dental implants.



How to pick a toothpaste?
There are many options available in the market and it is necessary to see each person´s necessity before picking one that is more advisable to a determined case. There are specific toothpastes, like the whitening ones, the therapeutic ones (for treating bacterial infections, for example), the paediatric ones, among many others. So the best thing to do is to know if you´re into any specific cases. If you are, go for the ones which might help you in that. If not, prefer the gel toothpastes and pick a flavour which pleases you best.

What about the toothbrush?
In general  the toothbrush should have a small head (so it reaches all mouth regions more easily), soft bristles and concentrated tufts, that way you don´t run the risk of hurting your gums.

In order to choose the ideal toothbrush, some points should be taken into consideration, like manual dexterity (physical disabilities), for example. In this case, the electric toothbrushes or the ones with a wider grip are better for handling. There are also special toothbrushes indicated for post-surgical cases and whitening processes, as dental brushes for cleaning dentures.

When should I change my toothbrush?
Each type has a sell-by date of its own, according to the manufacturer. It is easier to know when you should change them, though. Bristles indicate when they should be thrown away – while bristles are aligned, it is okay to keep it in use. It usually takes three months or so until we need to replace them.

What is the importance of the dental floss?
Dental floss is important for cleaning regions in which the toothbrush cannot reach. It should be used preferably before brushing your teeth. Flossing is indispensable when it comes to removing food from between the teeth and, with that, avoiding tartar, bad breath and caries, besides keeping a cleaner and healthier mouth, teeth and gums, of course.

What about mouthwashes?
Mouthwashes are indicated as complements of the oral hygiene. So after brushing your teeth and flossing, why not having a mouthwash at hand? Use it once a day, preferably before going to sleep.

What are dental implants and when are they advisable?
Implants are nothing more than substitutes of teeth roots made of titanium. For its indication, it is necessary a previous evaluation of the patient (general health).

What is the different between prosthesis and dental implant?
Implant is the titanium pin that replaces the lost root. The prosthesis is the new tooth itself.

In which cases is whitening indicated?
Whitening is indicated mostly for aesthetic reasons and usually done after orthodontic treatments or  by people who own darker teeth due to pigmentation caused by dyes such as coffee, wine, cigarettes and soda.

What are the most common whitening methods?
There is the home whitening method, where the patient uses gels usually bought in drugstores or supermarkets; and the whitening done at the dentist. The laser method is the most commonly used in this case and the patient has a much quicker result, too. It is important, for a few days, to avoid liquids and food that might ruin the colour of your recently whitened teeth, such as beetroot, coffee, wine, soda and others.

How frequently should I visit the dentist?
What we usually say is for patients to return every six months, but the periodicity actually depends on the kind of treatment each person is going through. If you have nothing wrong going on with your oral health, I would say come back every six months or so for a check-up and cleaning.