The Insiders: Irwin Smigel
By Christian Wright
Modus operandi: New York Dentist. In practice since: Early 70's. A few notable patients: Calvin Klein, Diane Von Furstenberg, Johnny Depp. Influence: Known among his peers as the father of aesthetic dentistry, he developed tooth bonding in the 70's. Now he is sought out for veneers and laser whitening. His patented nonabrasive whitening toothpaste, Supersmile, is sold at drugstores nationwide. Cost of 90-minute teeth-bleaching treatment: $750 to $1,000. Cost of a tube of Supersmile: $12.98.
Several curious factoids:
- The edges of male teeth are straight, women's are curved.
- The lateral teeth (the ones that bracket the front teeth) on a man are wide; on a woman, they're narrow.
- The nerve of the tooth is known as "the pope", it shrinks with age.
- During the day, a mouth swallows on average 2,000 times, which helps flush out bacteria. At night, a mouth swallows only 20 times, so bacteria can build up on food stuck on teeth. That's why it's more important to brush at night than in the morning.
Expert advise:
- Have your hygienist teach you how to brush and floss properly. ("flossing is vital", he stresses). Brushing too hard or misusing floss can actually damage gums.
- The tongue is one of the main causes of bad breath. Scrape it once a day. Don't brush the tongue - that irritates it.
- Cosmetic tooth work can enhance your facial appearance. Veneers, for instance, build up teeth, which makes lips look fuller.
- Candy policy: Never mind that chewing gum makes you look like a cow; it can loosen fillings too. It's OK to have candy, but be sure to brush extra well at the end of that day. Not all candy is created equal. For example, caramels are more dangerous to dental work than chocolate bars.
- To find a good aesthetic dentist, consult the American Society for Dental Aesthetics (800-454-2732).