Halloween and Healthy Teeth

Halloween can be frightfully fun. It can also be delicious with all of the candy and treats around. However, with all of these treats comes a lot of sugar. Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS wants to let her patients in the Holmdel, NJ area know some tips and tricks for balancing Halloween fun with healthy teeth.

All of that sugar should be combated with routine brushing and flossing and drinking water. Brushing should be done two to three times per day. Limit eating candies immediately after meal as desert and not as a snack.Also make sure to brush and floss once per day. If you know you will be eating a lot of sticky candies, aim to floss near the end of the day so that candy is not stuck between your teeth overnight.

Sticky foods like tootsie rolls and caramel apples can be detrimental to braces. Steer clear of these foods to avoid getting them stuck in your brackets. Really sticky candies or even hard candies can even cause a bracket to pop off. In addition to those with braces, those who have a dental crown or a recent filling should also beware of sticky foods.

Halloween is the time for tricks and treats but hopefully no emergency dental visits. To schedule a cleaning and examination with Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS, call our Holmdel, NJ office at (732) 264-8180 or visit our website, www.dentistnj.com.

Oral Care with Arthritis

When you have arthritis, using your hands can become difficult. Brushing and flossing can become a challenge. Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS of Holmdel, NJ wants her patients with arthritis to know some tips and tricks for making oral care easier.

There are dental supplies that will make dental care easier on arthritic hands. For starters, buy a toothpaste that has a flip-cap instead of one that needs to be twisted off. They are much easier to open, and tend not to get stuck when toothpaste gums up the top.

Next, look for a toothbrush that has a thick handle that is easy to hold. Also look for non-slip grip on the handle, so it is tougher for the toothbrush to slide around in your hand. The more control you have, the easier the process will be for your hands and your mouth. A toothbrush with a small head is also helpful for maneuvering around all the surfaces in your mouth. Electric toothbrushes are even easier, as they do all the scrubbing. You just need to hold them in the right places.

For flossing, it helps to use a long piece of floss and wrap it around your fingers for stability. However, if this is too painful, floss picks are available where dental supplies are sold. You can even add a thicker handle to them.

Arthritis can really change the way you do things, but oral care is still so important to uphold. To schedule a cleaning with Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS in our Holmdel, NJ office, call us at (732) 264-8180 or visit our website, www.dentistnj.com. 

Smoking and Your Oral Health

It should be no surprise that smoking is bad for your health. It is well-known that smoking can cause cancer and we know about the lung and cardiovascular problems it creates. But are you aware of the consequences it has on your mouth? Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS of Holmdel, NJ would like her patients to be aware of the oral health risks smoking creates.

When you smoke, each draw of smoke passes right through your mouth, touching your tongue, your teeth, and your gums. As mentioned before, smoking can cause cancer. This does not just include lung cancer. Smoking can cause cancer of the mouth, lips, throat, and tongue. Smoking also increases the risk for gum disease. It causes more plaque to build up and it lessens your ability to fight an infection. This reason also increases the risk for cavities by three times.

Smoking can also give you chronic bad breath and stained teeth. The chemicals in cigarettes along with the fact that it dries out your mouth can result in bad breath that is hard to get rid of. The smoke can also stain teeth permanently. With all of what you are putting your mouth through, your sense of smell and taste may alter, as well. This can make food less enjoyable and lead you to over-salting your meals.

Smoking is undoubtedly terrible for your oral and overall health. There is one thing that can reverse these risks and symptoms though: quitting. For more information about Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS and her Holmdel, NJ dental practice, call our office at (732) 264-8180 or visit our website, www.dentistnj.com. 

Oral Health Changes During Pregnancy

While going through pregnancy, there are many different things you do to start preserving the health of yourself and your baby. Proper oral care is important to keep while your body is going through so many changes. Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS wants to inform our pregnant patients of how these changes affect their oral health and what they can do about it.Studies have shown that periodontal(gum) disease can lead to ealry birth of babies. 

Hormonal changes during pregnancy can sometimes cause gum tissue to become puffy and irritated. This is because of an increased reaction to plaque. Irritated gums can become red, itchy, and they can bleed. This condition is referred to as “pregnancy gingivitis”.If  gingivitis is left untreated, it could develop into periodontitis, a more serious gum disease that can end with the loss of teeth. In order to prevent pregnancy gingivitis from taking place, schedule more frequent visits to your dentist for cleansings and brush more frequently.

Another issue that may develop is a pregnancy tumor. These arise from irritated gums and are benign bumps. Good oral hygiene and frequent dental visits can help prevent and cure it. 

Pregnancy brings a lot of changes that include oral health, but with the right care, you can continue to have healthy teeth and gums throughout your entire pregnancy. To schedule a cleaning with Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS in our Holmdel, NJ office, call us at (732) 264-8180 or visit our website, www.dentistnj.com.