Oral Piercings and Teeth

Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS encourages all of her patients to express themselves to the fullest extent. In recent years, oral piercings have become a popular form of self-expression. If you’re thinking about getting a piercing in your tongue, lip, cheek, or anywhere else in the oral cavity, Dr. Shah wants you to be aware of the risks associated with oral piercings and help you decide if it’s worth it.

The mouth is full of bacteria. When you get your oral or perioral structures pierced, infection and swelling often occurs. In addition to pain and swelling, oral piercings can cause damage to the teeth and gums as it bumps into your teeth and gums. Contact Dr. Dipika Shah immediately if you have any signs of infection, such as pain or a red streaked appearance around the piercing site. Make sure that your mouth stays free of infection and the piercing is properly cleaned. If you have questions or concerns about the status of your oral health, 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 in our Holmdel, NJ office, call 732-264-8180.

Acid Reflux

 Acid reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease and GERD, is a major contributor to caries and enamel loss, so we want Dr. Dipika Shah’s patients to be aware of and know how to stop it.

The hydrochloric acid in the stomach is highly acidic to your teeth. Usually, it is kept away from your mouth by a sphincter, but when that fails, the acid can painfully make its way into the mouth. Not only will it cause toothaches, it also discolors teeth as they lose so much enamel their dentin layer shows through. Acid reflux also contributes to gum inflammation.

Patients can reduce acid reflux by eliminating foods high in fat from their diets. They should also reduce their intake of acidic foods and drinks such as alcohol, tomatoes, garlic, citrus food and avoid large meals before bed. Chocolate and caffeine also contribute to acid reflux. Fluoride treatments can be used to strengthen enamel. Once it has been lost, enamel cannot grow back, but it can be replaced with fillings and bonding.

Dr. Dipika Shah, Master in the Academy of General Dentistry, practices at 723 N Beers St, Suite 2F, Holmdel, New Jersey, 07733-1512. To schedule an appointment, call 732-264-8180 or visit DentistNJ.com and fill out a contact form.