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.

 

Rheumatoid Arthritis and Gum Disease

At Dr. Dipika Shah’s Holmdel dental practice, we recognize that each of our patients has unique oral health needs that require compassionate, nonjudgmental care. One of the most frustrating conditions for patients is rheumatoid arthritis (RA), which doctors have recently discovered is linked to gum disease in unexpected ways.

According to a Johns Hopkins study, gum disease is twice as common in people with RA as in the general population. While this could partly be due to the difficulty people with limited dexterity have maintaining their oral hygiene, the study found that gum disease is common even in people whose RA has not yet progressed to that point. RA is an autoimmune disorder that causes the lining of joints, called synovium, to swell because they are under attack from the body’s immune system. Another study found that synovium shares genetic and structural traits with gum tissue, suggesting they are being harmed in similar ways.

One of the most significant steps people can take to avoid RA is to not smoke. But if a patient is suffering from RA, they can maintain their oral hygiene more easily with electric toothbrushes and water picks, as well as by maintaining regular appointments at our office.

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.

 

Children's Dental Health Month

Dr. Dipika Shah of Holmdel is proud to run a family dental office that provides compassionate, well-informed care to children. Every February, the American Dental Association celebratesChildren’s Dental Health Month along with many volunteer dentists, their staff, and dental suppliers. This year’s theme is the use of fluoridated toothpaste.

Fluoridation provides teeth with more robust defense against the acid produced by oral bacteria. People who drink fluoridated water have better dental health than those who drink well water, and the topical fluoride treatments we provide reduce children’s chances of developing caries. However, it is still important for them to brush regularly. Decay in baby teeth is painful and has an adverse impact on children’s sleeping, eating,  speech development and affects permanent tooth that develops underneath the baby tooth. Additionally, brushing their teeth is often the first thing children learn to do to care for their own health and helps to get them into a lifetime of good habits.

Brushing should be done for two minutes per session with a soft-bristled toothbrush and should be done on every tooth surface, as well as the tongue.  Additional fluoride supplements should not be given to children, as it may cause their teeth may develop white patches. Dentists give topical fluoride and make sure that child does not swallow it thereby getting the best benefit. 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.

Dangers of DIY Orthodontics

Last February, the American Association of Orthodontists released a study that showed 13% of its members had treated someone who attempted to perform orthodontics on themselves. At Dr. Dipika Shah’s Holmdel office, it is alarming to us that anyone would think this is a good idea and we want to help our patients avoid scams and harmful practices.

DIY orthodontics were popularized by the story of someone who used a 3D printer to manufacture his own aligners while characterizing the standard orthodontic process as dragging out treatment to raise costs. This is not true; moving teeth, which are living tissue, through jaw bones takes time because the jaw bones must be allowed to rebuild themselves. Moving teeth too quickly will leave them loose and could cause them to fall out or move back to their former position.

Other publications encourage much more primitive corrective methods, such as substituting wires with home items. However, tying teeth together instead of connecting them with a bracket-supported wire could strangle the teeth’s blood supply. Furthermore, without a bracket to hold the ties in place, the ties could slide into the wearer’s gum pockets and get stuck there while they rot.

Our office provides a variety of orthodontic and payment options. Please come see us if you are worried about misaligned teeth so we can fix them the safe, effective way.

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.