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.

Tooth Infection into Nerve

At Dr. Dipika Shah’s Holmdel office, we offer root canal treatment to treat dental infections because we believe in saving teeth whenever possible. A new study linking symptomless root tip infections to coronary disease provides even more reason for patients to understand what a dental abscess is and how it affects them.

An abscess develops when the body isolates decay-causing bacteria. The trapped bacteria and dead tissue become pus, and when an abscess is at the tip of a root tip, it is scientifically known as a periapical abscess. Even if the infection never progresses beyond the root, it can cause fever extreme pain throughout the face and neck. If it does spread, it could result in sepsis.

Bacteria enter the pulp of a tooth through a crack caused by decay or injury. Besides the patient’s comfort, it is extremely important not to wait to get a crack filled in. But because even symptomless root tip infections have now been linked to major health problems, patients should regularly visit the dentist’s office for imaging tests and cleanings.

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 DentistNJ.com and fill out a contact form.

 

Preventing and Treating Dry Sockets

Dr. Dipika Shah believes in avoiding extractions whenever possible, and when they are necessary, she makes sure her patients understand their post-operation instructions. But sometimes they may still suffer from a dry socket. Although this is unfortunate, we want our patients to know it is treatable so they’ll seek help right away.

Typically, following an extraction, a blood clot will form which will prevent the extraction site from drying out and guard it against infection. However, birth control is known to interfere with clot formation, and clots can be knocked loose or dissolved by use of a straw, smoking, or other consumption of tobacco products. A dry socket will usually result in severe pain about two days after the extraction, at which point patients should make an emergency appointment.

Dr. Shah will treat a dry socket by vacuuming out debris and applying medicated wound dressings. These dressings will moisturize the surgical site and fight infection. Patients will also be prescribed painkillers and antibiotics. They will need to return to have their wound dressings changed every few days until they are done healing.

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 DentistNJ.com and fill out a contact form.

 

Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

You’ve probably noticed how concerned dentists are about childhood cavities. While Dr. Shah and her team strive to educate children about how to care for their oral hygiene, very young children depend on their caretakers to keep their teeth clean. Therefore, it is important for parents of babies to know about a pattern we call Baby Bottle Tooth Decay.

Tooth decay increases with the amount of time teeth are exposed to sugar. While baby formula and milk are not as high in sugar content as juice, for example, they contain enough to cause a problem if they remain stuck to babies’ teeth for hours. Too often, this is the case, because babies are given bottles to suck from throughout the day, keeping their teeth coated and causing decay to set in on the fronts of the incisors.

There are several important steps parents can take to combat Baby Bottle Tooth Decay: limit the amount of time babies have bottles for, and supply them with water to wash their teeth. Start brushing their teeth as soon as the first one begins to emerge, and teach them to drink from cups as soon as possible (usually around their first birthday). And, of course, hold off on juice and anything else with lots of sugar until then.

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 DentistNJ.com and fill out a contact form.

 

Warning Signs of Failing Implants

Holmdel’s Dr. Dipika Shah is renowned for her work on implants and highly recommends this procedure as one of the safest and most effective ways to replace missing teeth. However, it is possible for an implant to need to be replaced. Patients should know the warning signs of an implant that is failing both immediately after placement or after years of wear and tear.

The warning signs of an implant failing in the immediate wake of surgery are continual bleeding and severe pain for more than three days. While there is always some pain associated with recovery from surgery, if an implant was placed on a nerve, the patient’s pain will never diminish, and the implant must be removed. 

A successfully placed implant can fail if the matrix of fused bone and metal at the implant’s base becomes compromised. This usually occurs due to periodontal disease or a traumatic injury. Dentists will monitor the patient’s jaw bone tissue for the first two years following implant placement because the loss of too much bone tissue means the implant needs to be removed. A functioning implant is totally immobile. If you notice an implant moving at all, seek help.

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 DentistNJ.com and fill out a contact form.

 

Guiding Impacted Canines

 At her Holmdel office, Dr. Dipika Shah offers orthodontic work to adults and children for a variety of conditions. sometimes she comes across the failure of canine teeth to erupt. The canine teeth don’t just help us pierce food; they also occupy the points of maximum change of curvature in the jaw arches and are crucial to keeping the other teeth in alignment and your jaw joint healthy. Since teeth which have not erupted by adulthood likely never will, The progress of the canine teeth is one of the most important things for dentists treating children to check.

Guiding canines down into the proper position may require a bit of surgery and a distinctive bit of orthodontic work. An incision will expose the unerupted canine so a bracket may be attached to it. Connecting this bracket with the wire connecting the other brackets will require a chain or a looped bit of wire called a ballista spring. Depending on how far a canine is from its destination, moving it may require a year of orthodontic work. But aesthetically and functionally, guiding an impacted canine is one of the most important orthodontic procedures a child can undergo.

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 DentistNJ.com and fill out a contact form.

Sleep Apnea Solutions and Tips

Obstructive sleep apnea can be dangerous but it is treatable. Here in our Holmdel, NJ dental practice, Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS offers her patients with mild sleep apnea a snore guard.

A snore guard can help patients with mild sleep apnea or just snoring since these conditions often go hand-in-hand. The snore guard is like a mouth guard and works to position to jaw differently. Sleep apnea occurs when the soft tissues in the back of the throat collapse and cause a blocked airway. The snore guard repositions the jaw so that the soft tissue is no longer collapsed and there is an open airway.

In addition to the snore guard, there are some lifestyle changes that can help decrease the severity of sleep apnea. Keeping a healthy weight will reduce the excess weight put on the neck while sleeping. In addition, there are some sleeping habits to practice. First, sleep on your side rather than your back. This helps keep the airway more open. Secondly, avoid drinking alcohol or taking sedatives before bed. This depresses the body’s system and can become dangerous if the body does not react appropriately to apnea.

Sleep apnea can lead to life-threatening health complications. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS, call our Holmdel, NJ office at (732) 264-8180 or visit our website, www.dentistnj.com. 

What is a Dental Crown/cap?

Dental crowns/Cap are great for keeping your natural teeth. If a tooth is fractured or decayed, a tooth is able to be repaired with a crown; there is no reason to pull it. Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS gives crowns to save her patients teeth here in our Holmdel, NJ office.

Dental crowns are like caps that go on teeth that are weakened due to decay or damage. They can be made of gold, porcelain, or porcelain fused to metal. They are able to be made completely customized so that the crown looks natural in the patient’s mouth.

In order to place a dental crown, first, the tooth has to be prepared. Dr. Shah will reshape the tooth so a crown can fit on top. Impressions are then taken of the tooth so a dental laboratory can create the custom crown. A temporary crown will be placed until the permanent crown is ready. When the permanent crown is ready, Dr. Shah will bond it into place. Your new strong and stable crown is ready.

Dental crowns restore teeth and smiles. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS in our Holmdel, NJ office, call us at (732) 264-8180. Appointments may also be requested through our website, www.dentistnj.com. 

Help with TMD Pain

Pain and stiffness from TMD can cause major frustration. It can be difficult to understand, especially when first diagnosed. Dipika Shah, DDS of Holmdel, NJ can treat TMD to get you back to feeling like yourself.

Some of the things you can do at home when you are in pain. Eat soft diet, do not open your mouth to the point where it hurts, limit your jaw movement, Move your jaw side to side gently,do this until you begin to feel your jaw and facial muscles release and relax. Aplly warm moist heat in the front of your ears every 15-20 minutes on and off, walk staright with head aligned with your spine. 

If any of these suggestions begin to make your symptoms worse, do not continue with them. To set up your appointment with  Dipika Shah, DDS in our Holmdel, NJ dental practice, call our office at (732) 264-8180 or visit our website, www.dentistnj.com. 

When is a Tooth Extraction Necessary?

While it is always ideal to keep all your natural teeth, there are sometimes situations where it is better to extract a tooth. Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS performs experienced extractions here in her Holmdel, NJ dental practice. Keep reading to learn the reasons why an extraction may be necessary.

Detrimental Decay

Small amounts of decay are able to be fixed by restorations like fillings, inlays, onlays, and crowns. When there is too much decay to save a tooth, it has likely caused an infection and the root has likely started to deteriorate. This is when an extraction is necessary. Not only can the tooth not be saved, but an infection can cause other oral and overall health risks.

 

Sparse Space

Another situation where extraction can be necessary is when there simply is not enough space for a tooth. This can cause a multitude of problems including damage to other teeth and gums, pain, infection, and poor oral hygiene. This is a common problem when wisdom teeth grow in. They often become impacted and need to be surgically removed.

 

While keeping your natural teeth is always the first option to explore, occasionally an extraction is unavoidable. To learn more about extractions, be sure to visit our website, www.dentistnj.com. To set up an appointment with Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS, call our Holmdel, NJ office at (732) 264-8180 or visit our website.

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. 

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. 

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. 

Night Guards to Alleviate Bruxism Destruction

Teeth grinding, called bruxism, is a behavior that can cause pain to the jaw and damage to teeth. Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS of Holmdel, NJ is helping patients protect their teeth from bruxism by providing night guards.

Clenching and grinding wears away and loosens teeth and restorations. Bruxism can be especially bad at night when you are unaware you are doing it. The pressure from the clenching can also cause jaw pain, facial pain, and headaches. If not treated, this can eventually lead to TMJ dysfunction.

Dr. Shah creates a night guard to protect your teeth and alleviate the pain caused by grinding. The night guards are custom-fit so that each patient receives individualized treatment. Every mouth is different, so they cannot all be treated the same. The night guard is like a mouth guard and can be worn during the night or day. Night guards can last for up to ten years with good care.

If you suspect you grind your teeth at night, schedule an evaluation with Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS. To schedule in our Holmdel, NJ office, call us at (732) 264-8180 or visit our website, www.dentistnj.com. 

Invisalign for Discreet and Convenient Straightening

Straightening your teeth results in a beautiful smile, but many are not so happy with how they look wearing braces. Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS in Holmdel, NJ offers a solution for her patients who want straight teeth without wearing braces. She offers Invisalign; a nearly invisible way to straighten teeth.

In addition to being almost invisible, Invisalign is also incredibly convenient. Unlike braces, you are able to take Invisalign out to eat and clean your teeth. This means you no longer have to avoid certain foods like hard, crunchy, or sticky ones. You can also brush and floss your teeth normally. No going around brackets or under wires.

Invisalign works by taking impressions of your teeth and creating a series of clear aligner trays. The trays created from your impressions will be switched out every two weeks; each tray being slightly different. Over the course of time, your teeth will shift into place. Most adult patients finish their Invisalign treatment in about a year. Most teen patients take about the same time as traditional braces; about two years.

If you desire a beautiful, straight smile, consider Invisalign for a discreet and convenient treatment. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS in Holmdel, NJ, call our office at (732) 264-8180 or visit our website, www.dentistnj.com. 

Gentle Root Canal Therapy

An achy, sensitive tooth with a dark spot on it may mean you have a tooth infection and will need a root canal. However, do not worry. Root canals these days are now no more uncomfortable that having a cavity filled. Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS performs root canals in our Holmdel, NJ dental practice.

When a tooth becomes infected, the dental pulp is infected. Usually through a crack or decay, the bacteria enter the center of your tooth and infect the pulp. There is usually pain and sensitivity involved because the pulp is the nerve center of your tooth. Pain, sensitivity, red gums, and a dark spot on the tooth are good signs that the tooth is infected.

To perform a root canal, a hole is drilled in the tooth to access the center. A file is then inserted into the tooth to clean out the infected pulp. A sealant called gutta-percha is placed in the tooth to replace the pulp. A filling is then placed on the access hole. The tooth is now able to function normally. Pain and sensitivity will subside and the tooth will no longer be at risk of being lost.

If the thought of a root canal is scaring you away from seeking help with an infected tooth, there is nothing to worry about. Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS performs gentle and effective root canals here in her Holmdel, NJ office. To schedule your examination, call our office at (732) 264-8180 or visit our website, www.dentistnj.com. 

Veneers for a Brand-New Smile

Sometimes we wish we could just create ourselves a brand-new smile. Well, Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS can do just that with veneers. In our Holmdel, NJ dental practice, veneers are providing perfect smiles for our patients who are unhappy with the aesthetics of their smile.

Veneers are a wonderful way to almost instantly improve a smile. Veneers are great for fixing the look of gaps, cracks, chips, discoloration, crooked teeth, and more. They are a set of ceramic shells that are bonded to a patient’s existing teeth. They are created completely custom by a dental laboratory so that they look natural and fit perfectly in each patient’s mouth.

To begin the process of applying dental veneers, Dr. Shah will first need to prepare your teeth. A thin layer of enamel is removed from your teeth to accommodate the veneers. Impressions of your teeth are then sent to the lab so the set of custom veneers can be created. During this time, temporary veneers are worn to protect your teeth. A couple of weeks later, the custom veneers are bonded into place. With good care, they can stay in great shape for up to ten years.

Veneers are durable, strong, and stain-resistant. Therefore, you can enjoy all your favorite foods. You will also be able to enjoy a long-lasting white smile. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS in Holmdel, NJ, call our office at (732) 264-8180 or visit our website, www.dentistnj.com. 

Dental Bridges: What Are They?

Replacing missing teeth is important because teeth not only help us chew, but they help us speak and are a large part of our facial structure. One option for tooth replacement Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS offers here in her Holmdel, NJ dental practice is the dental bridge.

A dental bridge is quite literal to its name. It is a restoration that bridges the gap between teeth. Bridges work by attaching a replacement tooth, called a pontic, to two crowns on either side. The crowns are placed on the teeth that are adjacent to the open space. The pontic sits right in the middle where the missing tooth once was. Bridge may also be made for teeth that are missing with only one tooth adjacent to it, like in cases where the last molar is missing.

Dental bridges are able to be made to look just like your natural teeth, so no one will be able to tell the difference when you smile. We can take an impression of the open space and the adjacent teeth so that a dental laboratory can create a custom bridge. The adjacent teeth are first prepared, so the impression is taken after the teeth are reshaped for the crowns. While the custom bridge is being prepared, you will wear a temporary bridge. After the custom bridge is ready, it is permanently bonded into place. A bridge can last for over ten years with good care.

If you are missing a tooth, it is important to replace it. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS in our Holmdel, NJ dental practice, call our office at (732) 264-8180 or visit our website, www.dentistnj.com. 

The Psychological Research Behind Keeping New Habits

How are those New Year resolutions going? It’s February and studies show that by this time, many of us start to fall back into old habits. Starting oral health-related habits can be difficult, but good hygiene is vital to your oral and overall health. Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS of Holmdel, NJ wants to let her patients in on the secrets that help them start and keep healthy habits.

According to recent research, about fifty percent of the population make New Year resolutions. However, most people end up right where they started or further behind by the next New Year. This is mainly because people set unrealistic goals and expect unrealistic outcomes. Then, when they become discouraged, they slip back into their old ways.

Psychology researchers instead suggest making more specific goals with realistic expectations and smaller steps. For instance, if you want to make it a goal to have better oral health, create a more specific goal you can focus on like starting to floss every day. This is a small goal you can focus on daily that will, in turn, lead to cleaner teeth and healthier gums.

In addition, brain scientists Antonio Damasio and Joseph LeDoux and psychotherapist Stephen Hayes have discovered that habitual behavioral changes are made through creating new neural pathways and memories. These can be established with new thinking patterns. These new neural pathways will become your default thinking when you come face to face with a decision.

That being said, the next time you want to skip part of your oral hygiene routine, think of the short-term and long-term positive effects of doing it. Day by day, change your thought process!

Remember to brush twice per day and floss once per day. 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.