Reducing Children's Dental Anxiety

We love treating children at Dr. Dipika Shah’s Holmdel dental office. It is very important how they are introduced to dental office, staff and how they are handled on their first visit. Parents should be honest with themselves about whether they may be transmitting their own anxiety to their child. Emphasizing to children that they’ll get rewarded for being brave indicates that there’s something to be afraid of. Instead, the child should be taught to think of the dentist and hygienists as friends and dental office as a pleasant outing to get their teeth counted, brushed with tickle brush and play in a magic chair. In short, no negative words, just positive talk.

When your child arrives, we can describe the procedures in terms they will understand and give demonstrations with our tools. It is usually unnecessary to give descriptions of procedures that we are unlikely to do, but children often like to hear about the importance of fighting cavities and keeping their mouths guarded during sports depending upon their age. We have lots of options to distract them and make a dental visit real fun.

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.

Causes of Bleeding Gums

If your gums are bleeding, you need the help of Dr. Dipika Shah. Although a great many people see blood when they floss or spit out their toothpaste, this is only because gum disease is so widespread. Our office can help you get inflammation under control, but for treatment to last, you need to know what causes it.

Tartar and plaque often accumulate near the gum line. The gum pockets are a great place for bacteria to grow and many people struggle to floss as deep as they should. As plaque builds up, toxins produced by bacterias and food irritates the surrounding tissue. This is most often what causes bleeding.

Regular brushing with a soft-bristled brush with a proper technique or use of a good electric brush, good daily flossing can help control infection of gum but you still need professional help from dental office to take out hardened tartar and plaque. Gum infections are likelier to occur in pregnant women, due to hormonal changes, and in people suffering from dry mouth, and people on blood thinner medications are also likelier to have bleeding gums.

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.

 

Bone Grafting

A bone graft is a term for allowing bone to grow with a graft to fill the space to a location that is broken or weakened. For Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS, this procedure is limited to a small graft on the jaw bone. Missing a tooth for any amount of time can leave the jaw bone vulnerable and compromise its structure. When a patient needs an implant to replace a tooth, a bone graft can reinforce the jaw bone so it is strong enough to handle the placement of an implant.

For example, when tooth is extracted, that hole is filled with a graft material and sutures are taken to hold it in its place. This graft material holds the space for new bone to grow and resorbs as new bone grows in. This not only encourages growth of new bone material as it heals but also helps prevent infection and reduces bleeding. The bone graft will be then monitored over the course of months. When the jawbone has matured enough to handle the placement of an implant, a dentist can move forward with the patient’s plan of care.

If you have questions or concerns regarding bone grafting, please give us a call. 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 Bridges

Missing teeth wreak havoc on your mouth over time. Gaps in the teeth can cause problems with eating and speech, and when a tooth is missing long enough the jawbone shrinks and the structure becomes compromised. Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS can give permanent bridge that replaces missing teeth and still look natural.

Permanent bridge use teeth on either side of a missing tooth to anchor a replacement in the appropriate location. The replacement tooth is held in place by caps on the teeth on either side. This can typically be accomplished in two visits. First, an impression of the area is taken so that a dental laboratory can create a bridge that will fit perfectly. While your new bridge is being fabricated, we can provide a temporary bridge for you to wear. On your second visit, the bridge will be cemented into place. With proper care, bridges can last a lifetime but can be replaced if needed.

If you have questions or concerns regarding dental bridge, please give us a call. 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.

 

How Long Should You Wear Retainers?

When people undergo orthodontic treatment, they should know that they will have to wear retainers for a time after the first phase of orthodontic work is complete. There are some people who will require a fixed retainer for the remainder of their lives. This is not the case for most people, but it is a good idea for anyone who has had orthodontic work to always keep a well-fitted retainer.

Individual cases vary, but it is common for people to have to wear their retainers full-time for a year after finishing braces and to have to wear the retainers at night for some time after that.  Gap teeth tend to require the most retainer use after correction. Eventually, the jawbone will solidify and the teeth will lose their tendency to migrate back to their original position. However, the jawbone undergoes slight changes throughout a person’s life, and the front teeth are always being pushed forward. Preventing this requires the retainer to be worn for a few nights a week on a permanent basis. For this reason, patients should make sure they always have a clean retainer that was made relatively recently if they want to ensure they never experience any tooth migration.

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.

 

Thank You for Your Positive Reviews!

At the dental practice of Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS, we love to hear from our patients because it teaches us how to improve as a team. Our staff would not only like to thank Janet. for being an excellent patient, but we’d like to thank her for reviewing us. Additionally, we encourage the rest of our patients to write testimonials and thank each and every one of you for your feedback!   

“My family and I have been patients of Dr. Dipika Shah for years and we think very highly of her. Not only is she a wonderful dentist but she and her staff have always graciously accommodated us during emergencies or when our schedules have been tight. My first visit to her was on an emergency basis and her treatment saved me from hospitalization. My children, who are young adults now, had their first dental visits with Dr. Shah. She always made them feel comfortable and took the time to instruct them well about the care of their teeth. Neither of them has ever had a cavity, nor have they ever been afraid to seek dental care. And, by the way, she is a really nice lady! Thanks, Dr. Shah! –Janet”

If you would like to leave a testimonial or are interested in learning 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. 

Extrinsic Tooth Stains

Are your teeth an unsightly shade of yellow or dark brown? If these stains are extrinsic – located on the outside of the enamel – then the good news is that they are easy to remove. Tooth discoloration is divided into two categories, extrinsic and intrinsic. Intrinsic stains are more difficult to get rid of because they stain the dentin located inside the tooth. Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS has plenty of options to restore the color of your smile, such as whitening treatment.

Extrinsic stains are usually caused by foods and beverages we consume on a daily basis. Though regular brushing and flossing can reduce the appearance of the discoloration, you may need a little extra help to remove them completely. Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS will likely suggest whitening treatment to remove extrinsic surface stains. If you aren’t satisfied with the appearance of your teeth, Dr. Shah can make them as white as your natural color or even whiter if you’d prefer.

If you have questions or concerns about tooth discoloration or teeth whitening treatment, please give us a call. 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.