Teeth and Pacifiers

Parents often struggle with weaning their child off a pacifier.  Infants are soothed to a sense of security by pacifiers, and when the time comes it is one of the hardest habits to break.  It can require a great deal of persuasion, but because of the effect they can have on the growth and development of the teeth and mouth children should stop using pacifiers by the age of two.  Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS always welcomes new patients, especially those who have yet to wean off of the pacifier.

Prolonged pacifier use can cause changes in the shape of the roof of the mouth, prevent proper growth of the mouth, and create problems with tooth alignment.  Narrowing of the roof of the mouth and misalignment of the jaws can also occur.  Using a pacifier too long can also lead to a variety of complications including tilting in of the bottom teeth, and slanting in of the top and front teeth. Until the age of two, any alignment problem with the teeth or developing bone is usually corrected within six months after pacifier use has stopped.  We can help and support parents having any trouble weaning their child off a pacifier before that age.

If you have questions about pacifiers and teeth development, visit www.dentistnj.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dipika Shah DDS, here in our Holmdel, NJ office, call 732-264-8180. 

Caring for Clear Aligners

Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS recommends Invisalign for patients with mild to moderate spacing or crowding of the teeth.  Invisalign’s clear aligner system straightens teeth without the metallic look of braces. Another perk of Invisalign clear aligners is that they require less maintenance and won’t prevent you from eating certain foods.  Although you won’t have to make too many changes, there are still guidelines you should follow to wear and care for your aligners!

You should remove Invisalign each time you eat, but if you do eat anything while wearing the aligners make sure to clean them thoroughly afterwards. It is also best to brush and floss your teeth before putting the aligners back in.  Ideally when wearing clear aligners, you would only drink water. Colorful drinks can stain the aligners and too many hot drinks can eventually warp the plastic.  If you do drink anything other than water while wearing the aligners you should rinse them with warm water afterwards. 

Cleaning the clear aligners regularly is important for your teeth and straightening treatment.  Clear aligners can become discolored over time without losing their effectiveness, but the color can show on your own teeth and continue to darken.  Invisalign offers its own brand of cleaning solution, and there are several soaking solutions available over the counter, but brushing the aligners is also a sufficient cleaning option.  Do not use toothpaste to brush the aligners because subtle abrasive properties of toothpaste could harm the aligner.  It is best to use a mild dish soap and a soft bristle brush to clean the aligners each time you brush your teeth.

If you have any more questions about Invisalign, visit www.dentistnj.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dipika Shah DDS, here in our Holmdel, NJ office, call 732-264-8180. 

Tooth Sensitivity

Below our enamel is a part of the tooth called dentin. Dentin contains microscopic canals that contain nerves and roots. When these roots become exposed, it can cause a tremendous amount of pain. If biting into an apple or drinking a hot cup of coffee makes your teeth wince in pain, then you may be a victim of tooth sensitivity. Fortunately, Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS, can help you take the proper measures to reduce the sensitivity and help you improve your oral hygiene technique.

If your oral hygiene routine is adequate but you still suffer from sensitive teeth, perhaps you are brushing too hard. If you use too much force while brushing your teeth, discomfort and sensitivity will occur. Sensitive teeth can also be caused by an underlying condition called bruxism, in which a patient grinds his or her teeth. Treatment for tooth sensitivity will depend on the cause, which Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS can evaluate during your next dental appointment.

If you have questions or concerns regarding tooth sensitivity, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.dentistnj.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS, here in our Holmdel, NJ office, call 732-264-8180. 

Sedation Options

Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS understands that not all of her patients feel comfortable in the dental chair. This is why she offers a variety of sedation options to patients who wish to ease their anxiety during a dental procedure. The most common form of sedation utilized in the office is nitrous oxide, a safe and effective sedative agent that is also known as laughing gas.

Nitrous oxide, sometimes called “laughing gas” is not intended to put you to sleep. Instead, nitrous oxide allows patients to be able to hear and respond to any requests or directions that Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS, may have. After deciding if this form of sedation is right for you, Dr. Shah will ask you to breathe normally through your nose. Within a few short minutes, you will begin to feel the effects of the nitrous oxide by feeling very relaxed, no anxiety. Before you leave, nitrous oxide is turned off an you are given 100% oxygen to breath so you feel completely normal as you leave our office, no one needs to drive you and no need to fast before the procedure. 

If you have questions or concerns regarrding this, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.dentistnj.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS, here in our Holmdel, NJ office, call 732-264-8180.