Why Water is Your Teeth’s Best Friend

If you’re one of those people who don’t drink enough water, then you should know that the clear, tasteless liquid is actually essential for achieving good health. This is because your body is between 60 to 65 percent water, and the liquid is used for a variety of bodily functions. Your body uses water to maintain its temperature, remove waste and lubricate your joints, and staying hydrated helps it function better as a whole. In addition to these benefits, water is also an important player in your oral health. Many dentists even consider water to be teeth’s best friend.

One of the many benefits that drinking water can provide our mouths is that it can help prevent bad breath. In fact, one of the most common causes of bad breath is dehydration. When there is not enough saliva in your mouth, bacteria is provided a suitable environment in which to thrive, and this can cause bad odors. By drinking water, you can cut down on these smelly bacteria. 

However, bacteria in the mouth do more than smell. The bacteria that cause bad breath are also the cause of cavities and gum disease, so drinking water can help keep your mouth healthy in addition to less smelly. Water provides a great way to keep your teeth clean between brushings since it is able to wash away foods and liquids that can damage your teeth. While it is not a replacement for brushing and flossing altogether, drinking water with your meal or afterward can help wash away the acid and particles that erode your enamel and attract bacteria.

Seeing a dentist is also a vital part of a good oral hygiene routine, and in Holmdel, NJ, Dr. Dipika Shah has the skill and experience to provide the care you need for optimal oral health. Call 732-264-8180 to schedule an appointment. For more information, visit www.dentistnj.com. 

A Healthy Smile is a Beautiful Smile with Dr. Dipika Shah

Regular checkups and dental cleanings are a part of any good oral hygiene routine, and at our office in Holmdel, NJ, we provide dental care services of the highest quality to ensure that our patients’ smiles stay healthy year after year.

Plaque is a soft and sticky film of bacteria that can build up on your teeth despite regular brushing and flossing. Because teeth are constantly bathed in saliva, which contains calcium and other substances to strengthen and protect teeth, tartar or calcium deposits can also build up over time. Dental cleanings work to remove both plaque and tartar from the teeth. If it is not removed and is allowed to accumulate, bacteria will be provided a perfect environment and thrive on the gums and teeth, which can cause cavities, infection and gum disease.

While good for maintaining oral health between dentist visits, at-home brushing and cleaning are not enough to make sure teeth stay clean; regular dental cleanings are required. We will clean and polish your teeth, leaving the surface clean and smooth. The smoother the teeth, the more difficult it is for bacteria to stick to them and the more effective at-home brushing will be.

We recommend checkups and dental cleanings every six months for optimum oral health. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dipika Shah, call 732-264-8180. For more information, visit www.dentistnj.com.

Dr. Dipika Shah Tips for a Healthier Smile

Regular exams and cleanings with Dr. Dipika Shah are only a small part of a good oral hygiene routine. Everyday oral care habits also play a vital role in a healthy smile, and if you want to improve your oral health, here are some simple changes you can make.

1.            Brush better. Good technique and proper duration are essential for effective brushing. To maximize your brushing, hold your toothbrush at a 45 degree angle and make sweeping circular motions away from the gums. You should brush for at least two minutes or for the length of a song. Electric brush that spins 360 degree or oscilates is better than hand brush as it can produce lot more vibration to detach the sticky plaque. 

2.            Floss. Dr. Shah has probably already told you how important this is. This is because flossing can actually do a better job of removing harmful plaque than brushing, and it only needs to be done once a day. So why aren’t you doing it already? It’s the key to healthier teeth and fresher breath.

3.           Use waterpik. It not only removes food from your teeth and gum, it also removes harmful bacterial byproducts and keeps your gums healthy. 

4.            Replace your toothbrush. How long have you been brushing with your toothbrush? As your toothbrush ages, the bristles will fray and lose their cleaning ability. Extremely frayed bristles can even hurt your gums. Bacteria can also build up in the bristles of toothbrushes, so make sure you are replacing yours ever three to four months.

5.            Switch to tap water. Tap water is treated with fluoride, which is a safe and effective technique for lowering tooth decay across the nation. Plus, it’s basically free.

For more ways to keep your smile healthy, turn to Dr. Dipika Shah in Holmdel, NJ. To schedule an appointment, call 732-264-8180. For more information, please visit www.dentistnj.com.

Your Child's First Dental Visit

When children are born, they are born without teeth and without cavities, and if you would like for your child to remain cavity-free even as their teeth come in, it is important to instill good oral hygiene early on. Dr. Dipika Shah will work with you to give your child the smile he or she deserves.

One way to set your child on the right path toward lifelong oral health is to begin with a fearless introduction to the dentist. At our office in Holmdel, NJ, we have a special play room with children’s furniture and entertainment, including books, toys, games and TV shows. This helps make their first and subsequent appointments as much fun as possible.

To help Dr. Shah provide an anxiety free appointment, you can remember to not talk to your child with negative language. Phrases like “the dentist isn’t going to hurt you” or “you won’t feel pain” are counterproductive since it probably never occurred to your child to be scared of the dentist in the first place. If you would like to introduce your child to the idea of going to the dentist ahead of time, you can borrow a video from us that explains that it can be fun to go to the dentist.

In addition to regular dental visits, good oral health can be achieved with a proper diet and regular brushing. To schedule an appointment, call 732-264-8180. For more information, visit www.DentistNJ.com.