Bridge Smiles Dental Group P.A.

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Benefits of Traditional Braces

Orthodontics is a specialty discipline of dentistry that focuses on alignment of the teeth and jaws to improve a person’s smile and oral health. Fortunately for our patients, Bridge Smile Dental Group P.A. offers a wide variety of options for straightening teeth, but today we are going to discuss the benefits of the good old fashioned traditional braces.


Traditional braces are the most effective type of braces for treating complex cases such as overcrowding and overbites. In their entirety, they work by applying continuous pressure over a period of time to slowly move teeth in a specific direction. In addition, traditional braces give our doctors the control they need to move the teeth in small increments at a time. The main reason you may opt out of this orthodontic route is the metal mouth appearance, but we’d like you to know that today’s braces are more visually appealing than ever before. With a range of color options for both the brackets and the elastics, these little details allow our patients the chance to express themselves.


If you are searching for a straighter smile, give us a call to discuss your orthodontic options. To learn more about traditional braces as well as the services we provide, visit www.bridgesmilesdental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Bridge Smile Dental Group P.A. in Somerville, NJ, call 908-725-0400.

Friday, December 25, 2015

What is a Dental Sealant?

Dental sealants act as a barrier to prevent cavities. They are a plastic material usually applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth (premolars and molars) where decay occurs most often. Because of the likelihood of developing decay in the depressions and grooves of the premolars and molars, children and teenagers are candidates for sealants. At Bridge Smile Dental Group P.A. we offer pediatric sealants, however, adults without decay or fillings in their molars can benefit from sealants as well.


Although brushing and flossing can remove food particles and plaque from the surfaces of teeth, they cannot always get into all the grooves of the back teeth to remove the food and plaque. Sealants protect these vulnerable areas from tooth decay by “sealing out” these particles. Sealants can last for up to 10 years with proper care and are applied in a very simple and painless process.  


To learn more about the dental sealant application process give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide, visit www.bridgesmilesdental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Bridge Smile Dental Group P.A. in Somerville, NJ, call 908-725-0400.

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Straighten Your Teeth Invisibly with Invisalign

At Bridge Smile Dental Group P.A. we offer a wide variety of options for straightening your teeth, but in this post we are specifically going to discuss Invisalign treatment. Invisalign uses a custom-made series of aligners created for you and only you, without the discomfort of “metal mouth.” These aligner trays are made of smooth, comfortable and virtually invisible plastic that you wear over your teeth for approximately 22 hours a day. Wearing the aligners will gradually and gently shift your teeth into place, based on the exact movements our dentists plan out for you. There are no metal brackets and no wires to tighten.


Because the trays are removable, you can continue doing all the things you normally would, from brushing and flossing to eating whatever you like. Depending on your treatment you will have a certain number of aligners. You will wear each set of aligners for about two weeks removing them only for the purposes above. As you replace each aligner with the next in the series, your teeth will move little by little, week by week, until they have straightened to their final position. You’ll visit us about once every six weeks to ensure that treatment is progressing as planned. Treatment time varies depending on the patient.


If you are searching for a straighter smile, give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about the services we provide, visit www.bridgesmilesdental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Bridge Smile Dental Group P.A. in Somerville, NJ, call 908-725-0400.

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

The Proper Flossing Technique

Floss removes plaque and debris that adhere to teeth and gums in between teeth, polishes tooth surfaces and controls bad breath. By flossing your teeth daily, you increase the chances of keeping your teeth for a lifetime and decrease your chance of having periodontal (gum) disease and tooth decay. The main purpose of flossing isn’t to remove food from the teeth. It’s to get rid of plaque. At Bridge Smile Dental Group P.A we’ve heard the excuse, “I don’t know how to floss,” but we’re here to put an end to it by providing you with the proper flossing technique.



  • Wind 18 inches of floss around middle fingers of each hand. Pinch floss between thumbs and index fingers, leaving a one-to-two-inch length in between. Use thumbs to direct floss between upper teeth.

  • Keep a one-to-two-inch length of floss controlled between fingers. Use index fingers to glide floss between contacts of the lower teeth.

  • Gently guide floss between the teeth by using a zig-zag motion and be sure to contour floss around the side of the tooth.


If you need assistance maintaining your oral hygiene routine, give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide, visit www.bridgesmilesdental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Bridge Smile Dental Group P.A. in Somerville, NJ, call 908-725-0400.

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

You’re Brushing, But Are You Brushing Correctly?

Teeth help us to chew and digest food. They also assist us when it comes to talking, and to pronounce different sounds clearly. Finally, teeth help to give our face its shape. Therefore you should want to keep your permanent ones forever. Although most people brush regularly, many don’t realize that there is actually a proper technique to the task. You should schedule a professional cleaning at Bridge Smile Dental Group P.A. at least once every six months and in addition, you should be brushing your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes. The next time you step in front of a mirror, utilize these tips.



  • Place the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gums.

  • Move the brush back-and-forth gently in short strokes.

  • Brush the outer surfaces, the inside surfaces and the chewing surfaces of all teeth.

  • To clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, tilt the brush vertically and make several up-and-down strokes.

  • Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and keep your breath fresh.


If you need assistance maintaining your oral hygiene routine, give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide, visit www.bridgesmilesdental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Bridge Smile Dental Group P.A. in Somerville, NJ, call 908-725-0400.

Friday, November 27, 2015

Why You Might Need a Root Canal

If the cause of your teeth pain is serious decay or infection in the tooth pulp, our doctors at Bridge Smile Dental Group P.A. may recommend a root canal. A root canal is a multi-step dental procedure that involves removing the infected tooth pulp (and sometimes the nerve) from a tooth, and sealing it to protect against future teeth pain.


Not all types of teeth are indications for a root canal. But signs of infection severe enough to require a root canal include: severe toothache pain upon chewing or application of pressure, prolonged sensitivity (pain) to hot or cold temperatures (after the heat or cold has been removed), discoloration (darkening) of the tooth, swelling and tenderness in nearby gums, and a persistent or recurring pimple on the gums.


Root canal therapy helps you maintain your natural smile, continue eating the foods you love and limit the need for ongoing dental work. With proper care, most teeth that have had root canal treatment can last as long as other natural teeth and often for a lifetime.


If you are experiencing tooth sensitivity, give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.bridgesmilesdental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Bridge Smile Dental Group P.A. in Somerville, NJ, call 908-725-0400.

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

The Purpose of Oral Cancer Screening

At Bridge Smile Dental Group P.A. oral cancer screenings are a very important part of the dental visit for the patient. The goal of oral cancer screening is to detect mouth cancer at an early stage – when cancer or lesions are the easiest to remove and most likely to be cured. People with a high risk of oral cancer may be more likely to benefit from oral cancer screening and factors that can increase the risk of oral cancer include:



  • Tobacco use of any kind

  • Heavy alcohol use

  • Previous oral cancer diagnosis

  • History of significant sun exposure, which increases the risk of lip cancer


During your dental visit, our doctors can talk to you about your oral health history and examine your oral cavity for signs of mouth and/or throat cancer. The screening will consist of visual inspection of the mouth and palpation of the jaw and neck.


If you have questions about oral cancer screening, give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.bridgesmilesdental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Bridge Smile Dental Group P.A. in Somerville, NJ, call 908-725-0400.

Thursday, November 12, 2015

Why are Wisdom Teeth Extracted?

 


Wisdom teeth are the third and final set of molars that most people get in their late teens or early twenties. Sometimes these teeth can be a valuable asset to the mouth when healthy and properly aligned, but more often, they are misaligned and require removal. At Bridge Smile Dental Group P.A. our doctors can discuss the position and health of your wisdom teeth and provide extraction services if necessary. 

Impacted wisdom teeth that can potentially cause problems, like infections, need to be removed. When a wisdom tooth only emerges partially, a flap of skin called an operculum may form over the tooth. This can make the tooth hard to clean, and pieces of food may be caught under the skin. This makes it easy for an infection, called pericoronitis, to develop. Wisdom teeth may not need to be removed if they are healthy, fully erupted, positioned correctly and biting properly with their opposite teeth and able to be cleaned as part of daily hygiene practices. 

If your wisdom teeth are causing you pain, give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.bridgesmilesdental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Bridge Smile Dental Group P.A. in Somerville, NJ, call 908-725-0400.

Wisdom teeth are the third and final set of molars that most people get in their late teens or early twenties. Sometimes these teeth can be a valuable asset to the mouth when healthy and properly aligned, but more often, they are misaligned and require removal. At Bridge Smile Dental Group P.A. our doctors can discuss the position and health of your wisdom teeth and provide extraction services if necessary.


Impacted wisdom teeth that can potentially cause problems, like infections, need to be removed. When a wisdom tooth only emerges partially, a flap of skin called an operculum may form over the tooth. This can make the tooth hard to clean, and pieces of food may be caught under the skin. This makes it easy for an infection, called pericoronitis, to develop. Wisdom teeth may not need to be removed if they are healthy, fully erupted, positioned correctly and biting properly with their opposite teeth and able to be cleaned as part of daily hygiene practices.


If your wisdom teeth are causing you pain, give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.bridgesmilesdental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Bridge Smile Dental Group P.A. in Somerville, NJ, call 908-725-0400.


 

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Dental Health Basics

Bacteria can live in your mouth in the form of plaque, causing cavities and gingivitis, which can lead to periodontal (gum) disease. In order to keep your mouth clean, our staff at Bridge Smile Dental Group P.A. encourage you to practice good oral hygiene every day. In between your six-month dental checkup your smile depends on simple dental care habits, such as brushing and flossing. But are you using the right techniques? Follow these steps to protect your oral health.



  • Spend at least two minutes brushing your teeth two times a day. Use a timer if you have to ensure that you’re spending enough time on your oral care routine.

  • Use floss at least once a day every day to clean between your teeth.

  • Buy American Dental Association (ADA) approved dental cleaning tools and toothpaste.


If you already notice red, inflamed, swollen gums, the good news is that being diligent about your home dental care routing and getting regular dental checkups can prevent plaque from forming and even reverse early signs of gum disease.


If you need assistance maintaining your oral hygiene routine, give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide visit www.bridgesmilesdental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Bridge Smile Dental Group P.A. in Somerville, NJ, call 908-725-0400.