A Healthy Smile is a Beautiful Smile with Dr. Dipika Shah

Regular checkups and dental cleanings are a part of any good oral hygiene routine, and at our office in Holmdel, NJ, we provide dental care services of the highest quality to ensure that our patients’ smiles stay healthy year after year.

Plaque is a soft and sticky film of bacteria that can build up on your teeth despite regular brushing and flossing. Because teeth are constantly bathed in saliva, which contains calcium and other substances to strengthen and protect teeth, tartar or calcium deposits can also build up over time. Dental cleanings work to remove both plaque and tartar from the teeth. If it is not removed and is allowed to accumulate, bacteria will be provided a perfect environment and thrive on the gums and teeth, which can cause cavities, infection and gum disease.

While good for maintaining oral health between dentist visits, at-home brushing and cleaning are not enough to make sure teeth stay clean; regular dental cleanings are required. We will clean and polish your teeth, leaving the surface clean and smooth. The smoother the teeth, the more difficult it is for bacteria to stick to them and the more effective at-home brushing will be.

We recommend checkups and dental cleanings every six months for optimum oral health. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dipika Shah, call 732-264-8180. For more information, visit www.dentistnj.com.

Does Your Tooth Still Hurt After a Root Canal?

If you’re still experiencing pain after a root canal, you may be wondering why. Aren’t root canals meant to take your pain away? There are many reasons why your tooth may still be hurting. It is possible that the base of your tooth root (periapical) is still slightly tender or that your pain is caused by a temporary filling that is a bit too high. In these cases, taking OTC painkillers, preferably ibuprofen, may be all you need to alleviate your pain while your root canal heals.

However, if you’ve had a root canal at our practice in Holmdel, NJ and are still experiencing pain that is severe or persistent, you should call our office immediately. The dentist may need to prescribe you an antibiotic to make sure the infection does not remain, or she may need to perform retreatment.

At your follow-up appointment, Dr. Dipika Shah will want to know what type of pain you are experiencing. Is your tooth sensitive to hot and cold? Is it the tooth root that is sensitive or the gums that are over the tooth? Is it a constant ache, or does it only hurt when biting? Is there any swelling, drainage or pus? The answers to these questions will give Dr. Shah the information she needs to diagnose your pain.

Root canals don’t always work, and there are many reasons for this, including fractures of the root, convoluted or twisted root structures and failure to protect the root canal after the procedure. If this occurs, you may need further treatment. If the root canal was successful, it should feel normal most of the time.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Shah in Holmdel, NJ, call 732-264-8180. For more information about the dentist and her services, please visit www.dentistnj.com. 

Dr. Dipika Shah Tips for a Healthier Smile

Regular exams and cleanings with Dr. Dipika Shah are only a small part of a good oral hygiene routine. Everyday oral care habits also play a vital role in a healthy smile, and if you want to improve your oral health, here are some simple changes you can make.

1.            Brush better. Good technique and proper duration are essential for effective brushing. To maximize your brushing, hold your toothbrush at a 45 degree angle and make sweeping circular motions away from the gums. You should brush for at least two minutes or for the length of a song. Electric brush that spins 360 degree or oscilates is better than hand brush as it can produce lot more vibration to detach the sticky plaque. 

2.            Floss. Dr. Shah has probably already told you how important this is. This is because flossing can actually do a better job of removing harmful plaque than brushing, and it only needs to be done once a day. So why aren’t you doing it already? It’s the key to healthier teeth and fresher breath.

3.           Use waterpik. It not only removes food from your teeth and gum, it also removes harmful bacterial byproducts and keeps your gums healthy. 

4.            Replace your toothbrush. How long have you been brushing with your toothbrush? As your toothbrush ages, the bristles will fray and lose their cleaning ability. Extremely frayed bristles can even hurt your gums. Bacteria can also build up in the bristles of toothbrushes, so make sure you are replacing yours ever three to four months.

5.            Switch to tap water. Tap water is treated with fluoride, which is a safe and effective technique for lowering tooth decay across the nation. Plus, it’s basically free.

For more ways to keep your smile healthy, turn to Dr. Dipika Shah in Holmdel, NJ. To schedule an appointment, call 732-264-8180. For more information, please visit www.dentistnj.com.

Bridges in Holmdel, NJ

If you’ve had one tooth or multiple teeth extracted due to damage, decay or disease, it is important to have the resulting gap filled or your remaining teeth can shift out of position and become susceptible to further decay. One way to replace your missing tooth or teeth and prevent this shifting is with a dental bridge.

Called a bridge because a prosthetic tooth is suspended between two crowns to fill in the missing space, this natural-looking tooth structure is usually made from gold, metal, alloys or porcelain to ensure a strong and durable smile that can last for many years.

The process of creating a bridge usually takes two visits to our office in Holmdel, NJ. During your first visit, Dr. Dipika Shah will create abutments out of the existing teeth on both sides of your gap. This is where the bridge’s crowns will be attached. After the abutments are in place, a mold is made of your mouth for creating the bridge, which will fit and feel as close to your natural teeth as possible. 

While you wait for the bridge to be fabricated in the lab, you will receive a temporary device for your convenience. Then, once the permanent device is completed, you will return to our office to have the crowns fixed to the abutments with an adhesive. The pontic between the crowns forms the bridge and replaces your missing tooth or teeth.

To schedule an appointment at, call 732-264-8180. For more information, please visit www.dentistnj.com.       

Veneers with Dr. Dipika Shah

If you’re unhappy with the way your smile looks, you don’t have to live with it. Veneers are an effective method for reshaping and redesigning your smile in Holmdel, NJ. Whether your teeth have gaps, persistent stains, cracks, chips or other issues, these thin, porcelain or ceramic shells can cover the existing tooth structure in your mouth to give you a smile you will be proud to show off.

Having veneers placed usually only takes two to three visits to our office. During the first visit, you will discuss the shape and look of the smile you want to accomplish with Dr. Dipika Shah. Then the dentist will prepare your teeth for the upcoming veneers.

Once the enamel has been prepared, an impression will be taken of your mouth so that the veneers can be fabricated to fit over your existing teeth. Once they are completed, the veneers are bonded to your teeth to create an attractive smile that both looks good and feels natural. With proper home care and the help of Dr. Shah, you can enjoy your new smile for 5 to 10 years before the veneers should be replaced. 

To schedule an appointment at our Holmdel practice, call 732-264-8180. For more information, visit www.dentistnj.com.