Does using a toothpick widen the gap between teeth?

No. Using a toothpick does not cause gaps between teeth. You can use a plastic or wood toothpick but not a metal pin.

Do the new whitening toothpastes and chewing gums actually work?

No. Being over the counter products, the concentration of the whitening element is much lesser than what is actually used by dentists. If you really want white teeth, visit the dentist.

Does brushing your teeth too much erode the enamel?

Yes. If you brush in the wrong direction, then you are harming the enamel of your teeth. It is advisable to brush vertically and not horizontally. Using an electric toothbrush is more effective than using a hand brush. Also, the bristles of the brush should be soft so that it does not erode the enamel.

Is brushing with a neem datum (twig) better than using a toothbrush and toothpaste?

No. Neem datum is not advisable as it has bristles with irregularities, which can your gums.

Does brushing with salt whiten the teeth?

No. Salt is abrasive and can cut the gums, and since it is rough it can rub away the outer most layer of the tooth. The inner layers of the teeth are yellow. So the more you remove the enamel, the more yellow your teeth will become.

Is bleaching advisable?

Yes, bleaching whitens the teeth and tightens the gums. As you grow old, your gums loosen. Bleaching was originally used as an astringent to tighten gums and later became more popular for whitening teeth.

Can flossing harm the gums and cause gaps between teeth?

Yes. If flossing is done incorrectly, it could cause gaps betweeb teeth. The right way to floss is to hold floss taut between two hands. Then place it between two teeth and floss 8-10 times with vertical strokes. If done correctly, flossing actually helps prevent cavities and tooth decay.

Does the wisdom tooth have to be extracted?

No. It is not necessarily. An extraction is recommended if the tooth is poking your inner cheek, is growing in the way of a bone or is displacing the rest of the teeth.

Can braces cause infections in the mouth?

Yes. Sometimes braces can poke your gums causing cuts, which could lead to infections. Also food gets collected between the braces and if not removed, will rot and cause an infection. If you wear braces, go for regular dental check-ups.

Can freshly squeezed lemon juice whiten teeth?

No amount of lemon juice will make your teeth any whiter. But it will definitely erode the enamel.

Are foods at extreme temperatures bad for teeth?

No. Drinking something extremely hot or cold cannot damage your teeth. But doing so consistently might damage some nerves. For instance, eating two-three ice candies everyday is a sure way to damage your nerves.

Once a decayed tooth is treated, do you need to take care of it?

In order to keep teeth healthy, you will have to continue with regular dental check-ups. But if your cavity was very small or negligible, then you might not need to worry about it again.

Does thumb sucking cause the front teeth to protrude?

Yes. Thumb sucking by children causes the front teeth to protrude.

Will placing an aspirin beside an aching tooth help?

No. An aspirin will only burn the gums. Instead, take a clove, crush it and place it next to the tooth. You could place a cotton soaked in few drops of clove oil next to the tooth. Don't use too much of this oil because this might also burn your gums.

Does chocolate actually cause tooth decay?

No. Chocolate in itself does not cause any harm to the teeth. It is when you don't brush after eating sweets and chocolates that tooth decay happens.

(With inputs from: Dr. Mukul Dabholkar, Cosmetic dentist, Mumbai)