Straight Teeth are Healthy Teeth

Benefits of having properly aligned teeth extend far beyond a confident smile. According to the American Dental Association, straightening your teeth can significantly affect your overall dental health. Straightening your smile could hardly be perfect if it’s not a healthy one and here at the dental practice of Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS, we offer a variety of orthodontic options to help get you started.

Swollen red gums can often be the result of having teeth that are crowded or too widely spaced. Unfortunately, these are also signs of periodontal disease. When teeth are properly aligned, it helps the gums fit more securely around the teeth, allowing for the strongest and healthiest defense against periodontal problems. When teeth are crooked, extra pressure is placed on just a few teeth when the forces of chewing should be equally distributed between all of the teeth. In addition, smiles can be misaligned to the degree where individual teeth may be completely out of place behind or in front of other teeth, which can cause daily cleaning problems. Plaque left behind after brushing and flossing will turn into tartar within 24 hours and this tartar cannot be removed with a toothbrush.

If you wish to discuss your orthodontic treatment options, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide 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. 

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.