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. 

Dental Care for Adults Over 60

As we grow older, certain health concerns earn our full attention, especially the importance of oral health for seniors. According to studies, around 75 percent of adults 60 and older only have a portion of their original teeth. Issues as severe gum disease, which is common in about 23 percent of seniors between the ages of 65-74, can contribute to the loss of your natural teeth. This is why Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS sets aside time to perform dental cleanings herself, to provide her patients, regardless of age, with the utmost care and help you keep your permanent teeth for a lifetime.

Advancing age puts many seniors at risk for a number of oral health problems, such as darkened teeth, dry mouth, diminished sense of taste, and much more. Even at 55+ years, adults can still develop tooth or root decay if gum recession has occurred. It is important for older adults to effectively clean the gums, the teeth, and exposed root surfaces to remove dental plaque and food debris. Age itself doesn’t play a dominant factor in determining your oral health status, but conditions such as arthritis may make brushing and flossing teeth difficult or impossible to perform.

We offer special care and discounts for our seniors, please give us a call to hear more about this. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.dentistnj.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS in our Holmdel, NJ office, call 732-264-8180.

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. 

Consequences of Missing Teeth

There are many reasons an individual might be missing teeth. The most common are tooth decay; however, in some cases, tooth loss is caused by injuries to either the tooth itself or to the surrounding tissues, including the gums and jaws. Like other common dental problems, missing teeth can cause serious complications over time if left untreated. Fortunately, Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS has a wide variety of restorative and cosmetic treatment options for patients to choose from.

There are several negative consequences of missing some or all of your teeth. Not only will your smile be affected by the gaps from the missing teeth, but the aesthetics of your face will change. If you’re missing too many teeth, the skin around your mouth won’t be supported properly and will start to sag, making you appear older than you are. Additionally, missing teeth will make eating and even speaking more difficult. The way you look affects the way you feel, and the psychological consequences of tooth loss can be intense. If you desire to repair your toothless grin, allow us to create you a more beautiful smile.

If you have missing teeth, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.dentistnj.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS in our Holmdel, NJ office, call 732-264-8180.

Dental Emergencies

Accidents happen, and knowing what to do when one occurs can mean the difference between saving and losing a tooth. Sometimes, dental emergencies such as severe infections or post-operative emergencies happen in the middle of the night or on the weekend when the dental practice is closed. Fortunately, Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS provides emergency care 24 hours a day/7 days a week, as she strongly believes that no one should suffer with pain if she can help it. In the midst of a dental emergency, utilize these tips to ensure a smooth recovery.  

• For a knocked-out permanent or adult tooth, keep it moist at all times. If you can, try placing the tooth back in the socket without touching the root. If that’s not possible, place it between your cheek and gums, or use a tooth preservation product that has the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of acceptance.


• For a cracked tooth, immediately rinse the mouth with warm water to clean the area.


• If you bite your tongue or lip, clean the area gently with water and apply a cold compress.


• For toothaches, rinse the mouth with warm water to clean it out. Gently use dental floss to remove any food caught between teeth.

If you experience a dental emergency, please call us immediately. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.dentistnj.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS in our Holmdel, NJ office, call 732-264-8180.

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.