Corsodyl TV advert...

 The Corsodyl TV advert.(UK TV)

The Corsodyl television advert, which is thankfully no longer showing (as far as i know, get in touch if you see it) spread the misconception that just using the mouthwash on its own was enough to cure gum disease. Consequently people are still putting off getting help with gum problems. I understand why, "Corsodyl will cure the problem, why do I need to go and see the stinky dentist", but guess what, Cosodyl doesn't remove the plaque which is causing the problem so all the while things are getting worse, not better. Oh dear...

Etching tooth structure? With phosphoric acid?

 ... yes, like car bodywork...

I etch the surface of the cavity with phosphoric acid, dissolving some of the mineral in the surface, rinse away the acid and when I dry the surface it's porous. A drop of bonding agent and the filling sticks to the surface, excluding bacteria and making a longer lasting job of the filling. Simples.

Surely You're Joking, Mr. ^H^H^H^H Green! Err, no actually, the idea was invented by Dr. Michael F. Buonocore in 1955! 

Cheap toothpaste?

I can honestly say that supermarket own-brand toothpastes are now good enough. You DO NOT need to buy the name brands to get a decent product. I like to recommend the 'sensitive' toothpastes because they're less abrasive.

Plaque around the lower front teeth?

 You get more plaque buildup around the lower front teeth because...

...saliva around the lower front teeth has higher mineral concentration. This prevents[1] tooth decay but makes plaque harden more quickly. When the plaque is hard you can't brush it off. Catching the plaque more frequently helps slow/stop buildup.

[1]  Almost perfectly. Almost...

Mercury, toxic metal or planet closest to the Sun?

 Mercury?

Is the Mercury in our fillings (and I do mean 'our') slowly killing us?

One thing is certain, it's not quickly killing us. That means it is either (A) Not killing us at all, or (B) Killing us slowly.

Hmm, where to look for reliable evidence? Definitely not in internet blogs! A reliable source of factual data is the US Food and Drug administration. Check out this link : https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/dental-devices/dental-amalgam-fillings

Electric toothbrushes, useless fad or genuine progress?

Definitely genuine progress, but get a decent one, I like the Braun/Oral B range. DON'T get a flashy model with BlueTooth and a back scrubber attachment. Here's the check list:

1. Easily available replacement heads.

2. Decent battery technology, Nickel Metal Hydride not NiCads.

3. Timer. Two minute timer to check you are going for long enough.

4.  Err. That's it.

Modern diet is rubbish, still...

 A practical approach to reducing sugar:

Reduce - taper off how much you add to food and drink. Taper, not cut out!

Replace - change to alternative sweeteners. I know they get a bad press, but I'm an advocate. 

Refuse - try saying no to sweet stuff. You never know, you might prefer less sweet stuff.