How to Choose Health Toothpaste

Brushing your teeth is an important part of your day and an important part of your health. You want to be sure that you are using toothpaste that will help your teeth, not harm them. Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS of Holmdel, NJ wants to inform our patients of what to look for in a healthy toothpaste.

Toothpaste comes in many different varieties. There are toothpastes aimed towards whitening, tartar control, and sensitive teeth, to name a few. A great way to make sure you are choosing healthy toothpaste is to make sure it has the American Dental Association’s seal on it.

When looking for toothpaste that will whiten your teeth, make sure that the level of abrasives in the toothpaste is okay for your teeth. Toothpastes recommended by the ADA all have safe levels. Too much abrasiveness could wear down your enamel.

When looking for toothpaste that helps with sensitivity, look for one with potassium nitrate or strontium chloride. Also be sure to give the toothpaste a chance to start working before moving onto another one. Most sensitivity toothpaste needs to be used consistently for at least a month to be effective.

The most important ingredient for preventing cavities is fluoride. All toothpaste accepted by the ADA has fluoride in it.

Brushing, flossing, and routine visits to your dentist are all part of a great oral hygiene routine. To schedule you appointment with Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS in our Holmdel, NJ dental practice, call our office at (732) 264-8180 or visit our website, www.dentistnj.com. 

How to Calm Kids' Dental Fears

It’s no surprise that some kids fear dental visits. We understand that and want to make sure every one of our patients are at ease during an appointment. Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS, here in our Holmdel, NJ dental practice, wants to give parents tips for relieving dental fear in their kids.

Familiarity puts kids at comfort. This means that the younger you start taking your child to the dentist, the more at ease they may feel. Kids should see their dentist for the first time when their first tooth grows in. The latest a child’s first dental appointment should be is when they turn one years old, even if they have not grown in their first tooth. Also consider asking for the same dentist and hygienist for each appointment. It will be one less surprise for a nervous child.

When talking about the dentist, use friendly terms and do not get too specific about treatments. Explain that the dentist is going to count their teeth and when they leave, their teeth will be strong and healthy. Please use positive words and nothing negative like in stead of saying "Dentist will not hurt you", say"it's fun to go to a dentist office". 

If your child is nervous about going to the dentist,talk about magic chair ride that goes up and down, play room etc. Never let child exposed to your or any other family members fear for dentistry. In our Holmdel, NJ dental practice, we want every child to have a relaxing and pleasing experience. For questions or to schedule an appointment, contact Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS at (732) 264-8180 or visit our website, www.dentistnj.com.

Tooth Restoration Options in Holmdel, NJ

Restoring teeth keeps them functioning as they should and able to last for a long time. For minor issues, or large restorations, Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS, MAGD in Holmdel, NJ offers several options.

Dental bonding is great for fillings, chip, and cracks. The material is a composite resin that is selected to match your teeth, unlike silver amalgam fillings of the past. Bonding is durable, so with good care, it can last for many years.

Dental crowns are available for when there is a little more damage than bonding can cover. The tooth is reshaped and a “cap”, the crown, is placed on the tooth. The crown is made to look just like your teeth, so it blends right in. This restores a tooth to its strength and allows proper function again.

When teeth are in too bad of shape to be restored with missing adjoining teeth, a dental bridge is a popular option for replacement. A replacement tooth is attached to healthy teeth for a stable hold. A bridge can also be made to blend right in with your natural teeth.

For a permanent replacement option, dental implants do the trick. With good care, they can last for a lifetime. They are surgically inserted into your jawbone so they are the most like your natural teeth.

If you are in need of a restoration, trust the expertise of Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS, MAGD. To schedule an appointment in our Holmdel, NJ practice, call us at (732) 264-8180 or visit our website, www.dentistnj.com. 

How to Keep Teeth Bright and White

When teeth are no longer bright and shiny, it can be a damper on what could be a beautiful smile. There are simple ways to change your habits and keep your teeth white, though. Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS, MAGD, in our Holmdel, NJ practice, wants to inform patients of the habits they can start to keep teeth looking nice.

Dark food like cola and blueberries can stain teeth. When certain  food is not avoidable, rinse your mouth after consumption. While you shouldn’t brush your teeth immediately after eating (especially something acidic), rinsing your mouth can help wash away stain-causing debris. It also helps to drink dark liquids through a straw.

Plaque is a sticky substance that can hold in stain-causing material close to the tooth’s enamel. Plaque can form just hours after brushing and flossing, so make sure to brush two or three times daily and floss once per day to keep away plaque. Also make sure you are brushing your gum line, so plaque and tartar cannot create uneven color on your tooth.

Eating certain food like raw carrots and popcorn can actually help scrub your teeth. This is great when you won’t be able to brush your teeth for a while. The surfaces of them rub the teeth in a way that removes some debris and plaque.

Keeping a healthy smile is keeping a good-looking smile. In addition to these tips, make sure to schedule cleanings with your dentist. To schedule with Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS, MAGD, here in Holmdel, NJ, call us at (732) 264-8180 or visit our website, www.dentistnj.com. 

Options for Cosmetic Improvements

Having a bright, beautiful smile can light up any room and is often the first thing someone will notice. Here in our Holmdel, NJ dental practice, Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS, MAGD practices cosmetic dentistry for our patients who want to improve their smile.

Whether you are looking to fix a small issue like a chip, looking for a complete smile overhaul, or even looking to smooth the skin around your smile, Dr. Shah has the skills and expertise to provide complete care.

For improving the look of issues like chips, cracks, discoloration, and gaps, dental bonding is a long-lasting option. The imperfection is smoothed over with a composite resin that is matched to the color of your tooth. For whitening purposes, the resin is chosen in a whiter color. The resin is hardened and durable enough to last for  years.

Veneers are a thin ceramic shell that goes over the front of your entire tooth. They instantly create a brand new smile, so they can fix the look of almost any dental imperfection. They are able to last between five and ten years and are stain-resistant.

With a brand new smile, smooth, young-looking skin will complete that fresh look. With Botox and Dermal Filler, this is possible. Lines around the lips and mouth are smoothed away.

Another option for those with the “gummy smile, is laser periodontal surgery. Using a laser, Dr. Shah can sculpt your gums so they reveal more of your teeth and have a nice, natural gum line.

If you are unhappy with your smile, schedule an appointment with us to see how we can help. To schedule with Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS, MAGD in our Holmdel, NJ practice, call us at (732) 264-8180 or visit our website, www.dentistnj.com. 

The Effects of Poor Oral Care

When you skip brushing your teeth, you’re in for more than just bad breath. Poor oral hygiene can lead to disastrous oral health. Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS, MAGD of Holmdel, NJ wants to remind our patients of the consequences of taking poor care of your mouth.

The point of brushing and flossing teeth is to remove plaque and other bacteria that build up from food, saliva, and other debris. After brushing, plaque builds up just hours later. This is why brushing should be done two or three times per day. Plaque that is not brushed away turns into tartar. Tartar is a hardened mineral deposit that only a dentist can remove.

When plaque and tartar sit on the teeth, they begin to irritate the gums, causing the gums to recede. Receded gums form deep pockets where bacteria can collect. These pockets allow bacteria to get deep into the gums where the tooth root is located. This can weaken the tooth and make it more difficult for the gum disease to be cleared.

Gum disease can cause bleeding gums, irritated gums, sensitivity, and as mentioned before, recession of the gums. Recessed gums can cause teeth to loosen and fall out, if not corrected. Surgery can sometimes be required to bring gums back up to a healthy level.

When there is poor oral hygiene, there is poor oral health. The gums and teeth are at risk of becoming diseased and dysfunctional. To keep a healthy mouth, follow a regular oral hygiene routine and schedule regular cleanings with Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS, MAGD of Holmdel, NJ. To schedule, call our office at (732) 264-8180 or visit our website, www.dentistnj.com. 

Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS, MAGD, Winner of the 2015 Patients' Choice Award!

Finding the right dentist is important, especially when you have a family. Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS, MAGD of Holmdel, NJ is a family dentist and recent winner of the Open Care Patients’ Choice Award in Holmdel, NJ for 2015. When it comes to awards, what better award to receive than one that comes straight from our patients?

The Open Care Patients’ Choice Award is determined by the ratings and reviews of our patients. The reviews are compiled from third party sources to receive a completely objective view of our practice. To learn about our practice, it is best to go straight to the source! If you would like to read some of the reviews our wonderful patients have left for us, make sure to visit our website for the links!

Whether you are in need of preventative care, restoration, or general dentistry, Dr. Dipika Shah can help. Dr. Shah also specializes in orthodontics, TMJ treatment, and sleep apnea treatment. Dr. Shah treats patients of all ages, which is great for families. We know that it can be difficult to get everyone into a dentist appointment, but with our full family care, only one dentist is needed.

Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS, MAGD, winner of the Open Care Patients’ Choice Award in Holmdel, NJ for 2015, is an experienced dentist who looks after the health of her patients of all ages. To make an appointment at our Holmdel, NJ dental practice, call us at (732) 264-8180, or visit our website, www.dentistnj.com.