Q. I visited a dentist for cleaning of my teeth, since they had turned yellow due to smoking. The dentist did scaling (grinded with electric brush) to remove the stains. After that I felt that my teeth have lost their rigidity. Will this affect the strength of my teeth and gums? Is this the proper way to clean teeth?

A. Scaling is a routine procedure to remove the local deposits on teeth. However, if local stains are very deep seated due to smoking or other stains etc, scaling alone may not be effective. You may have to go in procedure like air polishing and even bleaching. Scaling does not loosen teeth. It merely removes the deposits and this may give a feeling of loose teeth due to removal of tartar. It is totally safe and acceptable treatment globally.

Q. I am suffering from severe halitosis. I take all the oral health care. I don't smoke or drink. I am a fitness freak. Usage of mouth fresheners makes my problem even worse. I also have a large tonsil. I have bad breath after 15 minutes of brushing my teeth in the morning. My ENT told me that everything is normal. My dentist also says that my oral hygiene is OK. What should I do?

A. If your gums are fine and you have had a dental scaling done then there must be some other cause for the halitosis. If the tonsils are large, they may be collecting material/foreign matter in them and may be the cause. Try a dilute hydrogen peroxide mouth wash (1 part H₂O₂ with 10 parts water) and gargle with it. You should consult another ENT surgeon.

. Are invisible braces available in India? I have heard about ceramic braces and technologies like Invisilign in the US. I have been making some local enquiries here in Kolkata with a couple of dentists but they only have metal braces available. Being a working professional, I cannot afford to wear metal braces that show. I would be very thankful if you could recommend any dental professionals who provide these services.

A. Yes, most orthodontists in big cities have ceramic brackets and should not be a problem, Invisilign is also slowly coming to India and is available in Bombay, Chennai and Delhi. Case selection is crucial for Invisilign. In Kolkata ceramic brackets would be surely practiced by top orthodontists.

Q. I am getting my 6 wisdom teeth taken out. The dentist said that he has to remove some bone. What can I expect when I come out? How much pain will I have? How long will it take to recover?

A. You have only 4 wisdom teeth not 6. One on each side upper and lower. Expect some pain swelling and difficulty to open mouth properly for a week.

Q. I brush my teeth for 20 minutes twice a day. But my teeth still look dirty. I get this awful feeling in my mouth. Majority of food that I eat, tastes weird. Am I brushing my teeth wrong? I asked my dentist if I am brushing correctly and he said yes. So why do my teeth look dirty? I also have bad breath. Please help.

A. There are cases which are extremely prone to deposition in the mouth inspite of best care i.e. brushing. Such cases require frequent scaling or professional cleaning. Moreover one has to change the brush every few days in order for it to be effective. I have also tried to increase the hardness of the brush i.e. from soft to medium, with the advice not to use excessive force while brushing in order to avoid damage to teeth. Mouthwashes can also supplement and you can ask your local Dentist for it.

Q. I underwent a root canal treatment and was given a shot of local sedative (LA). The next morning I started feeling stiffness and numbness in my lower lip, chin and 3 teeth. I feel a lot of discomfort and a pulling pain due to this. I also have a white coating on my tongue, which gives a burning and pricking sensation at the back of the tongue. Is this normal during root canal?

A. I am sorry to inform that the symptoms are due to nerve injury during injection but it is a common complication to injection. This will take some time to heal, ranging from 2-3 weeks. You just take some B-complex and give rest to your body.

Q. I got some of my front teeth filled about 6 months ago. Since then they have been sensitive and brittle. My doctor says it is natural but I am worried. What should I do?

A. The sensitivity in the filled teeth could be because of deep cavities following decay or other causes. Sometimes when this sensitivity persists it may require root canal treatment of the affected teeth. However, the exact situation and treatment can only be advised after seeing and X-raying of the affected teeth. Thinning of the teeth could be inherent and not because of ageing. Root canal therapy followed by crowns of the front affected teeth shall take care of sensitivity, looks and strength of these teeth.