April 2019: Oral Cancer Awareness Month

April 2019 is Oral Cancer Awareness Month. Dentists are often the first medical professionals to diagnose oral cancers. Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS encourages patients to not only come in for their bi-annual checkups but to also schedule an appointment when any strange symptoms occur. Prevention and early intervention are the keys to a cancer-free life.

 

We provide both oral cancer screenings and regular appointments for patients. If a new or strange symptom appears in your mouth, schedule an appointment. This is especially true if the symptoms have persisted for over two weeks or haven’t healed. This can be a major indicator of something more serious. Be on the lookout for these symptoms:

 

Mouth sores that take over fourteen days to heal, a new or strange coloring of your gums and tissue, lumps or hard spots in your mouth, bumps that bleed easily, and/or a lump on the outside of your neck that has been there for a minimum of two weeks.

 

The symptoms for HPV-caused oropharyngeal cancer differ from the above symptoms. These patients might experience a sore or hoarse throat, a constant cough, a lump on the neck, problems swallowing, and a pain in one or both ears.

 

The major risk factors for oral cancers are heavy smoking. Engaging in any tobacco products is problematic, including chewing tobacco. The other major contributing factor is contracting the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus 16.

 

Do not wait to make an appointment if you or a loved one are experiencing anything mentioned above. Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS is located in Holmdel, NJ. To schedule an appointment, visit our website or call 732-264-8180.

 

Air Abrasion Technique

Air Abrasion is a drill-free, shot free alternative to dental drilling. It is successful with pediatric patients or patients with dental anxiety. An instrument that is similar to a small sandblaster utilizes a stream of particles that removes decay from the teeth. Dr. Dipika Shah, D.D.S. offers air abrasion technique at her office in Holmdel, NJ.

 

Before the procedure, you will be given protective eyewear, along with either a rubber dam or protective resin. These will protect your face and other areas of the mouth from the technique. During the procedure, the stream of particles will be sprayed on the tooth. The decayed particles of the teeth are removed and suctioned away through a thin tube. This prevents these particles from being swallowed or going into your lungs.

 

There are many benefits to the air abrasion technique. There is no pressure, heat, or vibration from the device. Because air abrasion technique is often only used on very shallow cavities, it reduces the need for anesthesia. Much more of the healthy tissue is left untouched. It also reduces the chances of your tooth becoming chipped or fractured.

 

Air abrasion technique should not be attempted when cavities are deeper. Crowns, onlays, and inlays can’t be prepared through air abrasion. Air abrasion can also be used to prepare a tooth for bonding or sealants, along with removing stains and discolorations.

 

To learn more about our Air Abrasion technique, or our other services, contact Dr. Dipika Shah, D.D.S. Our office is located in Holmdel, NJ. To schedule your appointment, visit our website or call 732-264-8180.

 

Root Canals

Endodontics is the dental specialty concerning the roots or nerves of the teeth. When a tooth gets infected, the roots are often the culprit. A root canal is the most common endodontic procedure. Root canals allow Dr. Dipika Shah, D.D.S., of Holmdel, NJ., to remove infected tissue. A root canal saves the tooth, clearing it of infection.

 

During your root canal procedure, the area will first be numbed with a local anesthetic. Dr. Shah will drill a hole into the tooth. This will expose the root canal. From here, the infected tissue can be spotted and removed. The area will also be thoroughly cleaned. Once finished, a sealant will close off the area. Often times a crown is placed.

 

It is normal to experience soreness in your jaw and tooth after the procedure. This will dissipate as the tooth heals. Over-the-counter pain medication is often enough to handle any pain. In certain cases, Dr. Shah will prescribe pain relievers. With modern technology and medicine, root canal procedures are performed with little to no pain or negative side effects.

 

Follow the post-operative instructions given to you by Dr. Shah and our staff. Make sure to avoid vigorous activity while healing. Once the tooth has healed, you should be able to eat and drink without experiencing any pain or discomfort.

 

If you need a root canal or are concerned that you might need one, contact Dr. Dipika Shah, D.D.S. today. We are located in Holmdel, NJ. To schedule an appointment, visit our website or call 732-264-8180.

 

Laser Dentistry

Modern dentistry utilizes lasers to provide our patients with safe, quick, and bloodless procedures. Lasers clot the blood as it cuts, killing germs as it goes. Dr. Dipika Shah, D.D.S., of Holmdel, NJ., uses laser dentistry at her practice.

 

Laser dentistry is used to treat hypersensitivity, tooth decay, gum disease, and teeth whitening. There are two types of laser treatments, depending on the area of the mouth. Hard tissue treatments are used on the teeth, while soft tissue is for the gums.

 

There are three common hard tissue procedures. For cavities, the lasers can locate signs of tooth decay. The lasers also destroy bacteria within the cavity. They are also used for tooth preparations and fillings. Lasers work for teeth sensitivity, sealing tubules on the tooth’s roots.

 

There are also three common soft tissue procedures. If you have a “gummy smile,” where the gums cover a large number of your teeth, the lasers can reshape your gum tissue. It also can reshape your gums and bone in preparation for restorations, essentially acting as a crown lengthening. Laser frenectomies are also performed. The frenulum is the fold of skin located under the tongue, attaching it to the mouth floor. If you have a thick or tight frenulum, you might experience problems speaking. Lastly, lasers can remove soft tissue surrounding ill-fitting dentures.

 

There are many benefits to laser dentistry: it reduces the need for sutures and stitches, it makes anesthesia unnecessary, and it lowers the chance of infection while increasing the speed of healing.

 

Dr. Dipika Shah, D.D.S. is located in Holmdel, NJ. To schedule an appointment, visit our website or call 732-264-8180.

 

Choosing the Right Toothbrush

When it comes to choosing a toothbrush, there are a lot of options. At Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS we encourage our patients to ask us what toothbrush works best for your teeth.

Toothbrushes that have a small head will help you to clean the hard-to-reach places of your mouth. If you have a larger mouth than a full-sized head is better suited for you. We advise our patients to use a toothbrush that has soft bristles as they are gentler on your teeth and gums.

The need for an electric toothbrush depends on how well you brush your teeth. Electric toothbrushes rotate the bristles faster and produce more vibrations to remove plaque lot more efficiently. Although they are more expensive,  if chosen a right electric brush like Rotadent, can help you not to scratch your enamel away, not to make your teeth sensitive or to let your gum receed. It can also help if you have a dexterity problem or  have trouble brushing in general. Traditional brushes work fine for cleaning your teeth as long asyou are using soft bristeles and know how to brush in the gums. Rotadent also comes with a flosiing brush so you can really keep your mouth healthy. 

Don’t forget to change your toothbrush every 3 months for the most effective clean. Practicing good oral hygiene is the most important thing for healthy teeth. We want you to always have your best smile!

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

Dental Phobia

At Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS we want our patients to feel as comfortable when they visit us. An estimated 9% to 15% of people avoid the dentist due to dental phobia. Patients who avoid going to the dentist have a greater chance of developing gum disease and early tooth loss. To ease your mind, we will talk with you about any concerns or fears you have.

Some signs that you might have dental phobia include tense or nervousness, sleepless nights before the dentist, and the thought of the dentist makes you feel sick.

We know and understand your anxiety. That's why we have invested in a very soothing massage while you are in our office, headphones to listen to your favorite show on television or music. We will help you establish your yoga breath to relax you. We even have air abrasion and laser where we may not even need to give you injection to numb you. 

If you have a fear of pain we offer different anesthetic gels that can numb your mouth during procedures. Anesthetic’s take away any pain you might normally feel and allow you to relax.

We encourage our patients to ask us questions before your appointment so we can make you feel more comfortable. We are just as much about your comfort as your teeth.

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

How to Clean a Snore Guard

Dr. Dipika Shah of Holmdel is specially trained to provide patients with customized snore guards to prevent obstructive sleep apnea and bruxism. These oral appliances make it easier for patients to sleep through the night without exerting damaging force on their teeth and jaws, allowing their mouths to remain strong and healthy. ONLY YOUR DENTIST CAN GIVE YOU SNORE APPLIANCE THAT IS MADE PROPERLYKEEPING IN MIND HEALTH OF YOUR BITE AND YOUR JAW JOINT.  Oral appliances need to be cleaned every day or else they will become a home for disease and halitosis-causing bacteria.

Snore guard or night guard manufacturers often have information about cleaning products on their websites. They may recommend dissolvable tablets or cleaning solution, which can get good results. One can use q-tip dipped in white vinegar or hydrogen peroxide to clean it and avoid using brush and  toothpaste. Plastic is not as resilient as enamel and doesn’t need fluoridation, but it can be scratched by minerals.

Unlike dentures, which should always be kept wet, snore guards will vary on whether they should be kept wet or dry. Regardless, the case containing them should be cleaned with antibacterial soap each day. The case should also be kept at room temperature or cooler so the oral appliance won’t melt. Snore guards may need to be refitted from time to time, but this should only be done by a professional.

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

 

Removing Braces

The completion of a phase of orthodontic therapy is an exciting time. We at Dr. Dipika Shah’s Holmdel dental practice are proud to have reached this milestone with so many of our patients. For those who are currently wearing braces or expect to get them in the future, we wanted to describe a little about the process of removing them.

Although their function is to guide teeth through the jaw bones, braces are delicate. Orthodontic brackets can be pulled loose by extremely sticky foods and knocked off if the patient gets hit when not wearing a mouth guard. The dental cement that bonds them to enamel is made to be easily removable. Nonetheless, we don’t want to exert too much force against a patient’s enamel. Instead, after removing the elastics and wires for the last time, we use a plier to compress the brackets. The change in their shape will cause the dental cement to retract, and the bracket is lifted out.

The metal bands that surround a patient’s molars are also lifted out with a specialized pair of reverse-action pliers. The patient will feel pressure, but the removal process is not painful. The dental cement will be left on until all the brackets have been removed, after which it will be removed. An impression of the patient’s mouth can then be made and used as the basis for a retainer, which will preserve their new smile.

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

 

Driving With A Sleep Disorder

An average of 1.3 million people die in the US every year as the result of a car accident, and fatigued driving is responsible for a lot of accidents.  People living with untreated sleep apnea or other sleep disorder may not realize how much it impacts their alertness and how dangerous it is to drive.  Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS can help you find relief from sleep apnea, so please schedule a visit for evaluation.

Patients who don’t seek treatment for their poor sleep may think they are used to feeling tired all the time and are unimpaired.  However a chronic lack of restful sleep is shown to have the same effects has being intoxicated by drugs or alcohol.  Excessive sleepiness causes problems with focus and attention, which you need in order to drive.  The lack of focusing and inability to react quickly makes high-risk drivers. If you are planning to drive somewhere but feel sleepy, take a minute to assess your alertness.  A short nap can even revive you for a 30 minute drive.  Caffeine is of course a temporary fix, but it can keep you alert for a short drive and prevent falling asleep at the wheel.  If you ever notice yourself dozing at the wheel, pull over to rest.  Don’t live with a sleep disorder! Come see Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS and start treatment to get your best sleep.

To learn more about sleep apnea and the treatments provided at the 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. 

Water Pik with Orthodontics

Flossing is crucial when it comes to maintaining good oral health. Cleaning between the teeth is an important step to remove food particles that have been left behind after brushing. Flossing can significantly reduce periodontal disease and cavity-causing causing bacteria that leads to tooth decay, but sometimes the act of flossing is difficult for a patient with orthodontics. Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS may suggest using a water Pik for those hard to reach places!

A safe, easy, and effective way to remove plaque around dental braces is to use a water Pik. A water fPik is a handheld device that sprays streams of water in steady pulses. Not only is this beneficial to patients with traditional braces, water piks are also an option for people who have trouble controlling traditional floss by hand. It’s important to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss at least once a day to reap the maximum benefits of a healthy mouth!

To learn more about orthodontics and the treatments provided at the 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. 

Causes of Bad Breath

If you suffer from bad breath, there may be a deeper issue than lingering food particles. We love teaching patients at Dr. Dipika Shah’s Holmdel dental office about how to take better care of their oral health, and combatting halitosis is one of the ways by which patients know they’re doing something right.

Typically halitosis isn’t just caused by food debris, but by bacterial build-up. Bacteria infect the corners of teeth near the gum line where many people forget to brush and the surface of the tongue, where nasal discharge can drip to. We recommend that patients brush their tongues and use a tongue scraper on a daily basis. Patients also must be vigilant about cleaning removable oral appliances such as dentures, night guards, and mouth guards and the cases they are kept in.

Certain foods such as onions and garlic can contribute to bad breath in unexpected ways. Chemicals from them can enter the bloodstream and into the patient’s lungs or trigger an acid reflux response, which could allow stomach acid into the mouth. In addition to cutting back on these foods, patients might want to avoid anything that could contribute to dry mouth. Without saliva, it is more difficult for the mouth to maintain a pH level that resists bacteria and yeast. Drinking lots of water while cutting sugary drinks is the best way to improve saliva production.

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

 

How Smoking Affects Dental Pulp

We’re proud to say that patients with toothaches can get reliable treatment in comfort at the Holmdel dental office of Dr. Dipika Shah. Root canals remove potentially life-threatening infected material while preserving the natural structure of a tooth. But new research shows that smokers have particular problems with dental pulp infections, and we want our patients to be aware of why.

Antimicrobial peptides are one of the foundations of the immune system. They are molecules that kill bacteria by latching onto them and are found in healthy dental pulp. When a tooth is injured or an infection reaches the pulp, the pulp becomes inflamed, allowing peptides to more easily pass through tissue layers. But in smokers, the immune system does not function as well. Smokers have elevated levels of periodontal disease, and a recent study indicated that their dental pulp lacks antimicrobial peptides.

Without antimicrobial peptides, it is much harder for pulp to resist infections and the infections are likelier to recur. In the course of a root canal treatment, we can use antibacterial medication to fight infection in pulp we can’t remove, but complications are less likely if the patient is not a smoker. Some good news is that the researchers found that a few people’s immune systems recovered after they quit smoking.

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