Cleaning Your Tongue

When brushing your teeth, it is not just your teeth you should be paying attention to. Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS of Holmdel, NJ wants to remind her patients that cleaning their tongue is an important step of great oral hygiene.

Cleaning the tongue should be a part of your daily oral hygiene routine. A good way to remember this is to clean your tongue after every time you brush your teeth. After you finish brushing your teeth, take yourtngue cleaner and scrape it from the back of your tongue all the way to the front of it two strokes, twice a day. You can leave toothpaste on your toothbrush, if you would like. Rinse the tongue cleaner after each stroke and scrape your tongue . Press down firmly, but do not scrape too abrasively. If your tongue is sore afterwards, you will know you are pressing too hard.

There are  tongue scrapers you can purchase instead of using your toothbrush. They are usually made out of plastic or metal. We usually keep it in our office for your convinience to purchase. 

Remember your whole mouth can benefit from a good cleaning, not just your teeth! To schedule a cleaning with Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS in our Holmdel, NJ dental practice, give our office a call at (732) 264-8180 or visit our website, www.dentistnj.com. 

Gum Disease: Stages and Development

You have probably heard your dentist speak about gum disease, and you’re probably familiar with gingivitis, but did you know it can advance well beyond that? Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS of Holmdel, NJ wants to inform her patients of the dangers of gum disease and how it develops.

Gum disease is an infection of the gum tissue. The first stage is gingivitis. This is characterized by red, swollen gums that bleed when you brush your teeth. Since it is caused by plaque on the teeth, it is fairly easy to treat. Brushing more frequently and flossing every day will should clear it up. However, if left alone, gingivitis could turn into periodontitis, a more serious form of gum disease. Periodontitis includes those red, swollen gums, but they bleed more frequently and may be painful while chewing. Periodontitis can also create pockets between the gums and the teeth where bacteria collect; it can create sores in the mouth, and can loosen teeth. It can lead to the spread of infection and the complete loss of teeth. Periodontitis is tougher to clear up. A scaling and planing procedure is needed to remove the bacteria deep within the gums. Afterwards, pocket reduction surgery and gum grafts may be needed to repair the gums.

Gum disease develops when plaque and tartar are frequently left on teeth to irritate the gums. Remember to keep a good oral hygiene routine and to see Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS for cleanings and examinations. To schedule in our Holmdel, NJ office, call us at (732) 264-8180 or visit our website, www.dentistnj.com. 

Fighting Bad Breath

Do you suffer from the embarrassment of bad breath? For those who suffer from chronic bad breath, or those who just want to avoid it, Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS of Holmdel, NJ is offering tips. Read on to learn how bad breath is caused and how to keep it away.

Bad breath is caused from bacteria in your mouth. There are certain kinds of bacteria that cause odor and the foods we eat can contribute to them. Foul-smelling breath can also be worsened by a dry mouth. Stinky bacteria thrive in dry conditions.

In order to keep bacteria at bay and your breath fresh, make sure to keep a clean mouth and a wet whistle. Brushing and cleaning tongue  twice per day and flossing afetr each meal will keep plaque and debris away. When brushing, make sure to hit all the surfaces of your mouth, especially your tongue. The tongue has hair-like taste buds where bacteria love to hide. Keep hydrated by getting in your daily water recommendation every day. Break up your water drinking throughout the day so you stay evenly hydrated.

Avoid drinks that dry out the mouth like alcohol and caffeine, especially if you have an event you want fresh breath for; like a meeting or a car ride with a close passenger. If you do need a boost of caffeine, try green tea. It still has caffeine, but it hydrates you and has properties that fight bad breath bacteria!

Part of keeping good oral hygiene is routine cleanings from your dentist! To schedule with Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS of Holmdel, NJ, call our office at (732) 264-8180 or visit our website, www.dentistnj.com. 

TMJ Disorder Solutions

The pain from TMJ disorder can alter the way one lives. While it may seem like a vicious cycle, there are effective treatments for TMJ disorder. Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS helps many of her patients in our Holmdel, NJ dental practice through the pain and frustration TMJ disorder brings.

The TMJs (temporomandibular joints) are the joints that allow your jaw to move. They are located just in front of the ears, and you can feel them if you place your hand over the area and open your mouth. TMJ disorder occurs when the joints become dysfunctional. They may be tender, swollen, painful, and may click when you open and shut your mouth. It can even cause the mouth to become locked open or shut.

Dr. Shah offers night guards and TMJ splints to our patients suffering from TMJ disorder or those who clench their teeth at night. Clenching and grinding teeth at night can sometimes be the cause of TMJ disorder and it always makes the condition worse. The night guard is made to protect your teeth and cushion your jaw during clenching. You may wear it only at night or throughout the whole day. TMJ splints will be used as Dr. Shah finds it necessary.

It is important to come in for an examination if you are experiencing TMJ pain. Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS can offer a solution here in our Holmdel, NJ office. To schedule, call us at (732) 264-8180 or visit our website, www.dentistnj.com. 

Sensitive Teeth: Causes and Treatment

Sensitive teeth can become a real issue, especially in the winter. Many patients report worse sensitivity in the winter. Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS of Holmdel, NJ wants to remind patients of how to avoid sensitive teeth.

Sensitive teeth may be caused by many things. Sometimes they need attention from your dentist, like if you have cavities, an infection, or gum disease. You should always be evaluated by your dentist if you are experiencing sensitivity. However, often time sensitive teeth can be avoided by our oral hygiene habits.

Habits that may cause teeth to become sensitive include brushing too hard, using abrasive tooth cleaning products, brushing too soon, and frequently consuming acidic foods and drinks. Because it only takes a light touch to brush away plaque, brushing too hard can actually wear away enamel, exposing the dentin. The dentin is the soft inner layer of the tooth that has thousands of tubes that lead to the tooth’s nerves. Other ways tooth enamel erodes includes acidic damage. Acidic foods and drinks along with brushing too soon after eating can allow the acid to soften enamel and make it disappear. Have you heard of using baking soda as a popular home remedy for white teeth? Baking soda is very abrasive and can also expose the tiny nerve tubes. Not to mention, exposing dentin may actually make your teeth appear darker.

If you are experiencing sensitive teeth, make sure to come in for an examination. To schedule with Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS in our Holmdel, NJ practice, call us at (732) 264-8180 or our website, www.dentistnj.com. 

How to Make Dental Care Fun for Kids

Dental care is important for everyone, especially kids. Their baby teeth are the place-setter for their adult teeth. They also go through what is called the “cavity-prone years”. Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS wants to help parents with making dental care fun for their kids.

Making dental care fun for kids may actually get your kids to want to brush and floss. There are some simple steps that can make your child more aware of their dental health, more willing to take care of it, and able to do a good job.

First, make sure your child knows the proper way to brush and floss. You can do this by brushing and flossing your own teeth along with them. You can show the proper way to hold the toothbrush and floss, and let them know all the places they need to reach. Kids love to imitate, so they may see this as a game.

To make them aware of the time they are spending brushing their teeth, purchase a fun minute glass sand timer that they can flip. Or you could have their favorite song play for two minutes (the recommended amount of time to spend brushing).

Rewards work well with kids who are reluctant to complete their brushing and flossing every day. Offer a bedtime story if they brush twice per day and floss once. Or offer extra time at the park for flossing every day that week.

Stress the importance of healthy teeth and gums to your child. To schedule their routine cleaning and examination with Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS in our Holmdel, NJ office, call us at (732) 264-8180 or visit our website, www.dentistnj.com. 

Brushing and Flossing with Braces

While wearing braces, you are doing something great for your teeth. You are straightening them; promoting healthier teeth and gums, as well as creating a beautiful smile. However, while wearing the braces, it is important to brush and floss extra-carefully. Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS wants to remind patients of the extra time needed to take care of teeth while wearing braces.

You do not want to have your braces taken off only to reveal unsightly staining. Braces can collect plaque along the edges, and if not removed, this can lead to staining around the edges of the brackets. This can also create places where bacteria can harbor and weaken your enamel. You want to enjoy your newly straightened smile, not have to deal with stains and decay.

In order to keep teeth clean with braces, brush along the tops and bottoms of the brackets in addition to all the normal surfaces you brush. Then use an interdental brush to clean the sides of the brackets. These brushes are sold where most dental supplies are sold and look like tiny trees. When there is no plaque covering the edges of the brackets, you have done a good job. Next, purchase Superfloss or a floss threader. This will make flossing much less of a hassle. It allows you to thread the floss behind your wires so you can get in and out of spaces quickly.

Make sure to also visit your dentist for routine cleanings. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS in our Holmdel, NJ office, give us a call at (732) 264-8180 or visit our website, www.dentistnj.com.