Gum Disease and Cirrhosis

Bacterial infections in the mouth are bad news for the rest of the body. But that also means dental cleanings can have unexpected benefits. At the general dentistry practice of Holmdel’s Dr. Dipika Shah, we see ourselves as a crucial part of each patient’s medical care team. We’re excited to share news that gum disease treatments may be able to ease symptoms of cirrhosis.

Each of us depends on our liver to filter toxic substances from our blood. If it becomes chronically inflamed, it may become covered in scar tissue and be unable to do that. People with cirrhosis are suffering from liver scarring, and as a result, they have increased inflammation throughout their bodies, including in their brains. Their temperament and cognitive function can be impaired as a result. People with cirrhosis also have elevated rates of gum disease, and while the two share some common causes, gum infections are also unusually common in people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and gum disease-causing bacteria have been found in livers.

Scientists at Virginia Commonwealth University recently conducted an experiment to determine how gum disease treatments affect people with cirrhosis. Their finding was that patients who received treatment had better cognition and higher counts of anti-inflammatory gut bacteria than cirrhosis patients whose dental treatments were delayed. We hope that any of our patients who are late for a deep cleaning will take this as a reminder of how much better a person can feel after visiting the dentist.

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 Dentist NJ and fill out a contact form.

 

Bite Checks

Do you wonder if your children are going to need braces? Are you worried their crooked teeth might be causing problems with their teeth, gum and jaw? As a family practice that offers orthodontic treatment, we at the Holmdel dental office of Dr. Dipika Shah can monitor the development of children’s teeth and spot problems early at in-house at biannual check-ups.

It is best if orthdontic needs are observed at earlier age and treated while they are going through their growth period to guide everything in a correct direction rather than waiting till their bone completely matures and harder to make changes. 

At each biannual check-up, we take x-rays of children’s mouths to determine whether their teeth are coming in straight. Depending on what we see, we may recommend extractions or early-stage orthodontic therapy. The first orthodontic assessment is usually done at age seven. We will also examine whether each child is able to close their teeth together comfortably and whether there are unusual patterns of wear that could indicate that a misaligned tooth is impeding jaw function.

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 Dentist NJ and fill out a contact form.

 

Have You Had A Cleaning This Year?

At the dental practice of Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS we encourage all our patients to maintain a great oral health routine at home, but it is still important to come into the office for regular professional cleanings.  During the holidays, we want everyone looking forward to the New Year and maintaining great oral hygiene!  However much you brush and floss, some harmful bacteria grow in your mouth that cause gum disease and can only be removed by a dental professional. 

It’s important to see a professional regularly not just to clean your teeth, but also to locate and monitor areas in the mouth that may need special attention, and a dentist can tell you if you may be missing a spot or skipping an important step in your regular oral care routine.  During a teeth cleaning, a hygienist thoroughly clean the area above and below the gum line with scaling tools to rid them of plaque and tartar. After the surfaces of the teeth are cleaned, the hygienist flosses between every one of your teeth and may apply fluoride if recommended by the dentist. Come see us for a cleaning to make a great impression during the holidays, and start the year off with your best smile!

To learn more about dental health and all the services provided 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. 

Apicoectomy

A root canal is a treatment that is used to repair and save a badly damaged or infected tooth. During root canal treatment, your dentist cleans the canals using special instruments called files to remove inflamed or infected tissue. Root canal treatment is to conservatively treat infection and it has 90 % success. Sometimes, infection does not clear even after performing root canal, Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS may suggest an apicoectomy.

Root canals may become re-infected for a variety of reasons. These include new or recurrent decay, previously undetected accessory (extra) canals branching from the primary canal at the root end of the tooth, and occasionally, calcification of canals. An apicoectomy is done only after a tooth has had at least one root canal procedure and retreatment has not been successful. It is a minor surgical procedure in which the very tip of the tooth’s root is removed and sealed.

If you have a tooth infection related to a root canal gone wrong, give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about the services provided at the 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. 

Diabetes and Gum Disease

If you have gum inflammation, diabetes may be to blame. We strive to meet all our patients’ unique oral health needs at Dr. Dipika Shah’s Holmdel dental practice. Since uncontrolled blood sugar correlates with gum infections, we want our patients to have a better understanding of how this process works and how we can help them to avoid gum recession.

Gum disease is caused by the accumulation of acid-producing bacteria in the gum pockets. Infections trigger the body’s inflammatory response, which helps to keep pathogens from spreading. Unfortunately, inflammation also is painful and weakens the walls of cells. This is particularly problematic for people with diabetes, who have higher rates of inflammation and whose arteries have hardened in response to excessive blood sugar. People with diabetes are more severely impacted by infections in general, and they have higher rates of gum disease and its advanced form, periodontal disease.

Periodontal disease causes gum and bone recession to the point where teeth are in danger of falling out. But if people see us in time, we can help them to avoid this by providing deep cleanings of the gum pockets. Gum infections make it harder for the body to regulate blood sugar, producing a feedback loop. But treating gum disease leads to an improvement in diabetic symptoms, so we hope anybody with diabetes and bleeding gums will not delay seeking treatment.

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 Dentist NJ and fill out a contact form.

 

Avoiding Tooth Decay During the Holidays

There are lots of sugary drinks and snacks available in the fall. With Thanksgiving fast approaching and the winter holidays right around the corner, we at Dr. Dipika Shah’s Holmdel dental practice want our patients to enjoy the festivities without the risk of tooth decay. We thought it would be a good idea to point out some common sources of sugar and how to maintain good hygiene while indulging in them.

The longer sugar is in contact with teeth, the longer bacteria will be feeding on it and producing acid. Sticky, sugary foods such as cranberry sauce can fuel tooth decay, as can caramels and hard candy, which remains in contact with the teeth for an extended period and tends to dry out the mouth. Other major sources of sugary residue are sweet or creamy beverages such as apple cider, lattes, hot chocolate, and wine. People should also keep a watch on debris from starchy snacks such as crackers, since starch is also food for bacteria.

Substituting sugary hard candies with xylitol-flavored ones will remove a source of tooth decay and stimulate saliva production. Chewing sugar-free gum between meals will also dislodge food debris if a person isn’t able to brush and floss right away. You can mitigate the residue from sugary drinks by interspersing sips of water while consuming them. If you won’t have access to fluoridated tap water, you can carry fluoridated water in bottles. And while crackers may leave a lot of debris, cheese contains vital minerals for strengthening enamel.

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 Dentist NJ and fill out a contact form.

 

Oral Care with Dental Implants

Dental implants may be an option for people who have lost a tooth or teeth due to periodontal disease, an injury, or some other reason. A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that is placed into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge.  Although they are not natural teeth, they still require conscientious at-home oral care and regular dental visits. This is why Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS can provide patients with a dental implant maintenance routine after the implants are placed and healed.

Cleaning implant-supported tooth replacements are just as important as cleaning natural teeth, as both depend on healthy surrounding tissues for support. If the titanium oxide layer of the dental implant is disrupted during oral hygiene procedures, the soft tissues may be exposed to titanium metallic ions that can cause potential cytotoxic reactions compromising the dental implant. Unless instructed differently by Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS, aim for brushing the teeth at least twice a day and floss between them at least once a day to eliminate bacteria in the mouth and prevent implant failure.

If you have questions or concerns about dental implants or restorative dentistry, 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.