Wellness MIND BODY SOUL

5 reasons to smile
SHIKHA SHARMA

BACK TO THE FUTURE

If you’re avoiding the camera because you’re ashamed of
your teeth, here’s how to grin and bare ’em
by Veenu Singh

Q UERY: WHEN a toothpaste ad appears remove stains from their enamel.”

PHOTOS: THIN STOCK

on your TV screen, do you change the
channel simply because you’re surfing?
Or are you trying to avoid dealing with
the fact that you haven’t been to a dentist for
ages and your teeth are not exactly camera-
friendly when someone yells, ‘Say cheese!’?
With respect, chances are it’s the latter.
Because, like many people, you’re afraid of den-
tists. “Most patients come to us only in an
Bonding: “Bonding applies tooth-coloured plas-
tic to the outside of the tooth, making imperfec-
tions invisible,” says Dr Bouri. “It can also close
gaps between teeth, make the teeth look longer,
or change the shape and colour of the teeth.”
Porcelain veneers: The front of a tooth is cov-
ered with a thin porcelain shell that protects it FULL FOCUS
from discolouration. “Veneers are also good for Reciting mantras or chanting ‘om’ can help you meditate
people who have gaps between their teeth but

M
ost people become Meditation techniques broad-
emergency and don’t realise the importance of don’t want braces,” says Dr Gurpreet Singh, angry when they ly fall into two methods – the
visiting a dentist at least once in six months,” dental consultant at B L Kapur Hospital, Delhi. hear that the future concentration method and
says Dr S P Aggarwal, director, Green Park The procedure is quick and painless but getting is a mind game, because the witnessing method.
Dental Institute, Delhi. the veneer fitted requires a few sittings. they derive their sense of in- In the concentration method,
But yellow or uneven teeth can make you too Dental implants: These are widely used to dividuality from planning for you can concentrate on a
embarrassed to smile. And do you really want replace teeth that are missing or in bad condi- the future. flame or an image like a
to have to hide your teeth all the time? tion. “In the jawbone, we introduce an implant The reality is that all the facts bindu on the wall. Another
Teeth can get discoloured for many reasons, that acts like a natural tooth root,” says Dr and figures we have are method is concentrating on
including bad brushing habits, smoking and Bouri. “Then its head is covered with a special- about the present only. Any the centre of the forehead.
chewing tobacco. But a great smile also ly-made ceramic tooth.” assessments, opinions or Concentrating on the breath
depends on the evenness of your teeth – a gap Tooth jewel: You can attach a small crystal or judgments we create about is a popular technique, as is
between your front teeth, or broken teeth can diamond to a tooth. “This is a fashion accessory the future are only conjec- reciting mantras or reciting or
also affect the way you smile. that adds a sparkle to tures. concentrating on the primor-
“Problems caused by tobacco can be tackled your smile,” says Dr You may wonder: if we do not dial sound OM.
at home with tooth bleaching kits, and teeth Singh. “It is attached think about the future, how The second method is the
whitening strips, but for other problems, it is through bonding will we succeed? witness technique. In this
best to go to a good dentist,” says Dr Aggarwal. that requires a The truth is that the best technique you have to quiet-
Beyond a point though, you can’t turn yellow small procedure. planning for the future comes ly, without attaching yourself
or stained teeth into sparklers all by yourself, so And it can also be by giving the present our to it, just witness whatever
it makes sense to go to a professional. And you removed. complete attention. That’s happens.
could be surprised by the number of solutions veenus@hindus- because the present is the You can witness the mind
that exist to take care of problems you thought tantimes.com mother of the future. What and associated thoughts,
were beyond resolution. Here’s a look at some. we do or don’t do in the pres- witness the environment,
Bleaching: The removal of stains caused by ent will create our future for witness inner body sensa-
tobacco or tea is the first step to a beautiful us. While taking a decision is tions or witness the breath.
smile. Bleaching is considered the best option. a choice we make, not taking The practice is to be the ob-
a decision is also a choice we server without getting pulled
“These days, laser bleaching can make the teeth
make without realising it. into the thought process and
at least 6-8 shades lighter,” says Dr Smriti
Being present fully in the so reach stillness.
Bouri, head of the department of dentistry at
Max Healthcare. “The teeth are exposed to an present is the magical door- Remember, stillness and si-
way to living life fully. Medita- lence are the doorways to
intense UV light at intervals of 15-20 minutes to
tion can help us in the jour- the higher being.
SHINE AND SPARKLE ney. (Series concluded)
ask@drshikha.com
Clean, even teeth make for a million dollar smile