Dental Care for Adults Over 60

As we grow older, certain health concerns earn our full attention, especially the importance of oral health for seniors. According to studies, around 75 percent of adults 60 and older only have a portion of their original teeth. Issues as severe gum disease, which is common in about 23 percent of seniors between the ages of 65-74, can contribute to the loss of your natural teeth. This is why Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS sets aside time to perform dental cleanings herself, to provide her patients, regardless of age, with the utmost care and help you keep your permanent teeth for a lifetime.

Advancing age puts many seniors at risk for a number of oral health problems, such as darkened teeth, dry mouth, diminished sense of taste, and much more. Even at 55+ years, adults can still develop tooth or root decay if gum recession has occurred. It is important for older adults to effectively clean the gums, the teeth, and exposed root surfaces to remove dental plaque and food debris. Age itself doesn’t play a dominant factor in determining your oral health status, but conditions such as arthritis may make brushing and flossing teeth difficult or impossible to perform.

We offer special care and discounts for our seniors, please give us a call to hear more about this. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.dentistnj.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS in our Holmdel, NJ office, call 732-264-8180.

Foods to Avoid with TMJ Pain

When dealing with the pain and irritation of TMJ dysfunction, it is nice to know ways to avoid a flare-up. Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS of Holmdel, NJ treats patients with TMJ pain and wants them to know about certain types of foods that can lead to pain. Keep reading to learn about the foods to avoid and how you can make eating easier on your jaw.

It should not be too big of a surprise that hard and crunchy foods are more difficult for the jaw to chew through than softer foods. Because of the force the jaw needs to exert to bite through them, hard and crunchy foods can irritate the TMJs and lead to pain. Try to stay away from crunchy foods like popcorn and chips. Examples of harder foods are raw veggies. Vegetables are still important for your nutrition, though, so you should cook them so they are soft and easier to eat.

Another type of food which may not be as obvious of an irritant is chewy food. Caramels, chewing gum, and even tougher cuts of meat take much more chewing than most foods. The constant chewing motion can easily cause a TMJ flare-up. Stick to tender cuts of meat. If you want seafood, stick to fish rather than shellfish. You will also want to stay away from chewy candies. If you use gum to freshen your breath, try mints instead.

If you are experiencing frequent pain in your jaw or clicking when you open your mouth, schedule an appointment to see Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS. Appointments may be made by calling our Holmdel, NJ office at (732) 264-8180 or by visiting our website, www.dentistnj.com. 

Consequences of Missing Teeth

There are many reasons an individual might be missing teeth. The most common are tooth decay; however, in some cases, tooth loss is caused by injuries to either the tooth itself or to the surrounding tissues, including the gums and jaws. Like other common dental problems, missing teeth can cause serious complications over time if left untreated. Fortunately, Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS has a wide variety of restorative and cosmetic treatment options for patients to choose from.

There are several negative consequences of missing some or all of your teeth. Not only will your smile be affected by the gaps from the missing teeth, but the aesthetics of your face will change. If you’re missing too many teeth, the skin around your mouth won’t be supported properly and will start to sag, making you appear older than you are. Additionally, missing teeth will make eating and even speaking more difficult. The way you look affects the way you feel, and the psychological consequences of tooth loss can be intense. If you desire to repair your toothless grin, allow us to create you a more beautiful smile.

If you have missing teeth, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.dentistnj.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS in our Holmdel, NJ office, call 732-264-8180.