Whenever I go to the dentist for a checkup, I never fail to boast about my night brushing habit. *sticking out my tongue* And so, when I went to meet Dr. Priyanka Sehgal, at her dental clinic, even before I greeted her, I told her about my habit.

She laughed and said, “Wow! That’s great Jayati.”

And I smiled as wide as possible to show my white teeth.

Completed her degree from the Govt. Dental college, in Nagpur, Priyanka has also done specialization in Laser Dentistry from Geneva University affiliated college in India.

“I was a meritorious student and always aspired to become a doctor, but, never thought about the field I would go in. It was only after school that I decided to go into dentistry as it’s a more creative field,” she explained.

Priyanka is also amongst one of the few dentists in the city who is using laser technology.

“We are offering dental laser treatments, and it’s gaining popularity because it’s painless. Root canals, gum or teeth related surgeries, etc., are all possible through the laser,” she said.

Also, Priyanka conducts a periodic free dental check up camps, especially for the children. She hosts various celebrations and activities for her child patients during festivals.

#Interesting fact:

Priyanka has also done specialization in smile designing and shared that as per the dimensions of the face, lip, alignment, etc., Madhuri Dixit has an ideal smile.

“Well, every Indian girl dreams to have a smile like her,” I said, imagining.

Dental Care of the Infants

Priyanka pointed out that the biggest mistake that the mothers do is feeding the milk to infants at night and not cleaning the teeth.

“The most susceptible time for the infants is when they get their first few teeth because that time we don’t brush their teeth. Most women don’t clean the baby’s mouth after feeding the milk at night, and that’s harmful as milk has natural sugar. Always remember to rinse his/her mouth or take a wet cloth and wipe their teeth after the night’s feed.”

Importance of Dental Care & Hygiene during Pregnancy

“As it is, the blood pressure and flow are alleviated during pregnancy and like any other body part, pregnant women must take extra care of their teeth. Most of the women complain of inflammation, swelling, and bleeding of gums during pregnancy. I always advise them to get regular dental check-ups. Also, scaling is a must to avoid oral cavity. However, we recommend them to get the scaling done in the second trimester as it’s the safest to carry out the treatments.”

Causes & Side-effects of Bruxism or the Night Teeth Grinding

“Bruxism refers to the unintentional grinding of teeth while sleeping. More and more cases are coming of Bruxism, and the major cause is the increased stress in our lives,” Priyanka explained.

“Our teeth have three layers with enamel being the uppermost and the hardest. Due to teeth grinding, enamel wears off, over time. And, the other two layers are softer and wear off very quickly; and it has painful consequences. One must understand that pain in the teeth can also lead to headaches, pain in the TMJ (the joint that connects the lower jawbone and the temporal bone) and even spondylitis,” she continued.

Dental Jewelry – The Newest Trend

Well, nail and body art are passé. Dental art and jewelry is the new thing in the town.

“Young girls are adding a twinkle to their smile through dental diamond. Tooth jewelry is very much in vogue, and many brides are opting for it. We also offer a special bridal package which includes cleaning, whitening, and dental jewelry,” Priyanka shared.

Wow!

Me: Why do people fear or avoid getting dental checkups?

Priyanka: I think many people neglect the need and importance of dental care. Many people come to me when the pain becomes unbearable. Also, most people only focus on the visible teeth and ignore the teeth which are backside and invisible. Modern dentistry believes in restoring the natural teeth rather than extracting it, and we focus on preserving the natural teeth. So, the people must understand that all 32 teeth are important and have their separate functions. And, that’s why I always say, “Don’t brush all your teeth, only the ones you want to keep. “

Totally legit. LOL!

Me: What’s the one misconception about dental health that you are tired of hearing?

Priyanka: Ahhh! People in India believe that periodic scaling of teeth will make them weak. It holds no truth! Scaling is an entirely scientific method and only removes the plaque and deep cleans your teeth.  

Me: What necessary measures should we take at home to ensure healthy teeth and gums?

Priyanka: Night brushing, flossing your teeth, rinsing off the sticky food, and eating lots of citrus foods will keep your teeth healthy and shiny.

Me: How to choose the right toothbrush and toothpaste?

Priyanka: Just keep in mind the simple rule: as you grow in years, your toothbrush should become softer. And, do not put too much pressure on your teeth while brushing. As far as the toothpaste is concerned, gel-based toothpaste should be avoided as they are more abrasive.

Me: How to avoid bad smell?

Priyanka: Drink more water and use chlorhexidine-based mouthwash.

Me: What’s the one New Year resolution you want people to take for dental health?

Priyanka: I would tell them to take the resolution of brushing at night. Remember, every tooth is like a diamond, and if even one of them becomes weak, then it shall affect the others, too. So, take care of your teeth like any other part of the body.

P.S. If you wish to consult Priyanka Sehgal, you can contact her on +91-9462190909, or you may visit the facebook page, .