Dental Sealants to Seal Out Cavities

Kids go through cavity-prone years, which means they are at a time in their life where they may develop more cavities than any other time in their life. To protect their molars from cavities, Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS utilizes dental sealants. Here in our Holmdel, NJ office, we can provide sealants for kids and adults who have never had a cavity or filling in their molars.

Sealants literally seal out bacteria and other debris from the grooves and pits in molars. Since these areas can be hard to reach, protecting them during the years where a cavity is more likely is a smart idea.

To begin, the molars are cleaned and dried. An acidic solution is then placed on the teeth to roughen up the surface. This aids a strong bond between the sealant and the tooth. The acidic solution is rinsed off, the teeth are dried, and Dr. Shah paints the sealant onto the surfaces. A light is then used to harden the sealant. 

Sealants are great for kids between the ages of six to fourteen; the cavity-prone years and they can last for up to ten years, depending on chewing patterns. If you would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS for sealants, call our Holmdel, NJ office at (732) 264-8180 or visit our website, www.dentistnj.com. 

Bad Habits to Avoid While Wearing Braces

Wearing braces comes with a few rules. While most people know about the foods they need to avoid, there are lesser-known habits to avoid to keep braces in good shape. Bad habits can lead to delays in treatment. Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS of Holmdel, NJ wants her patients to be educated on proper dental care while wearing braces. Keep reading to learn more!

 

Nail Biting

Most patients know they have to stay away from hard and crunchy foods like popcorn or raw carrots; however, another common habit can also damage braces. Nail biting can create enough pressure to pop off a bracket. In addition, even if a bracket does not pop off, the pressure can slow down treatment, making it so you have to wear the braces longer than planned.

 

Acidic Foods

Acidic foods like citrus fruits and pop are also bad for teeth while wearing braces. In excess, they are bad for teeth anyway, but while wearing braces, they can hide around the brackets and cause decay. Limit your pop intake and make sure you rinse after eating anything acidic.

 

Brushing Too Hard

Plaque is sticky but soft. It does not take abrasive brushing to remove it from your teeth. Brush too hard can harm the enamel on your teeth and while wearing braces, it can actually do damage to the brackets and wires. Be gentle and use a toothbrush with soft bristles.

 

Wearing braces may come with a few extra rules, but the end result is a beautiful and healthy smile! To learn more about the orthodontic options Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS offers here in our Holmdel, NJ dental practice, call us at (732) 264-8180 or visit our website, www.dentistnj.com. 

Foods to Eat with Traditional Braces

When Dr. Dipika Shah recommends braces, you most likely will have to modify some parts of your diet to protect them. As much as we love to see you at our dental practice, we don’t want you to delay your orthodontic treatment by eating the wrong foods that may loosen, break, or bend wires and bands. Although sturdy, stable and advanced, braces are orthodontic appliances that you need to treat with care. Below, we will explain what you should and should not eat while wearing braces.

You should never eat sticky foods, such as taffy, caramel, and chewing gum when you have braces. You should also avoid popcorn because the hulls can get stuck between your brackets and cause gum inflammation and infection. Avoid hard foods such as nuts and hard cookies. Foods such as apples and carrots should be chopped into small pieces before eating to reduce stress on your braces. Recommended foods while wearing braces generally include anything soft such as bananas, yogurt, light crackers, cheese, mashed potatoes, melons, grapes, and peanut butter and jelly, as well as noodle dishes like ravioli, spaghetti and macaroni and cheese.

If you have additional questions about orthodontic oral care, please give us a call. 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, here in our Holmdel, NJ office, call 732-264-8180.

Botox and Dermal Fillers for Beautiful, Smooth Skin

Do you know what compliments a beautiful smile? Beautiful, youthful skin. Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS can provide you with smooth, wrinkle, free skin and full lips right here in our Holmdel, NJ office. Why trust your dentist to administer Botox and dermal fillers? Because dentists are trained in needle injections and are experts on facial structure.

Botox is a common procedure to reduce wrinkle and smooth skin around the eyes and the forehead. Botox works great for frown lines, crow’s feet, and “eleven” lines. Dr. Shah will inject the Botox around the problematic areas to reduce the muscles contractions that cause wrinkles and lines. Results are usually seen within twenty-four to forty-eight hours and they can last for up to four months.

Looking for full lips? Dr. Shah can also administer a dermal filler to reduce lines in the lips and create a fuller look. In addition, lines around the mouth like parentheses lines, corner lines, and marionette lines are able to be smoothed out. Effects from dermal fillers are noticed quickly and they can last for up to one year.

If you are looking for younger-looking, smoother skin, trust Dr. Dipika Shah with Botox or dermal filler. To schedule a consultation in our Holmdel, NJ office, give us a call at (732) 264-8180 or visit our website, www.dentistnj.com.