The Dental Cleaning: Defined

No matter how much you diligently brush or floss your teeth at home, harmful bacteria grow in your mouth that can only be removed by a dental professional. These bacteria can cause gum disease and significantly affect your overall health. Here at Bridge Smiles Dental Group P.A. our hygienists will use professional tools to remove plaque, tartar and bacteria build-up that you are unable to efficiently remove yourself.

According to the Academy of General Dentistry, it is recommended that a dentist or hygienist perform a dental cleaning every six months. The professional dental cleaning reinforces the home-care oral health regimen of brushing and flossing and gives the dentist an opportunity to locate areas in the mouth that may need special attention. During a teeth cleaning, our dentists will thoroughly clean the area above and below the gum line with scaling tools to rid them of plaque and tartar. Once the surfaces are smooth, polishing is done using a slow speed handpiece with a soft rubber cup that spins on the end. Last but not least, the dentist flosses every crevice between your teeth.

If you need your teeth cleaned don’t wait any longer, call us today so we can help you maintain a healthy smile! 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 Smiles Dental Group P.A. in Somerville, NJ, call 908-725-0400.

Post-Op Tooth Extraction Care

There are many reasons why a tooth may need to be extracted. Tooth decay, gum disease, or even for orthodontic purposes are a few. After the tooth is removed, you may need stitches and you will need to follow strict instructions that our doctors at Bridge Smiles Dental Group P.A. will give you. After the surgery, you will need to rest and you should expect the extraction site to bleed a little following extraction. In addition, here are a few things to remember during post-op care.

If bleeding continues for longer than 24 hours you should call our office immediately. Once you return home after the surgery you should rest, but do not lie flat. This could prolong the bleeding. One of our doctors will prescribe you pain medication, as well as cleaning solution for the extraction site, so if you become sore take as directed. It’s important to limit yourself to soft foods such as gelatin, pudding, yogurt, mashed potatoes, etc. so that the stitches are not punctured. When drinking, make sure you do not use a straw, because the sucking motion can loosen your sutures and slow the clotting process.

If you are experiencing tooth discomfort or have questions about post-op aftercare, please 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 Smiles Dental Group P.A. in Somerville, NJ, call 908-725-0400.

Occlusal Adjustment for a Misaligned Bite

A misaligned bite can lead to jaw soreness, sensitive teeth, and pain. It can even affect the way you eat. Here at Bridge Smiles Dental Group in Neshanic Station, NJ and Somerville, NJ, we have an easy fix for a misaligned bite called an occlusal adjustment.

When teeth are misaligned, biting and chewing can create uneven pressure on the jaw. The jaw joints and the muscles surrounding them can become fatigued and sore. Teeth also experience unnatural pressure. They can become worn down in areas which can lead to sensitivity and injury. Fractures are common with misaligned teeth as well as difficulty chewing food.

An occlusal adjustment makes minor changes to the teeth so that they can line up correctly. We use advanced computer technology to detect precise abnormalities in the patient’s bite. To adjust these areas, we use a very fine filling stone. Our technology allows us to be as accurate as possible so that only the necessary areas are filed down.

An uneven jaw can lead to pain and sensitivity. Fortunately, an occlusal adjustment is a simple and quick procedure. To set up your appointment with Bridge Smiles Dental Group, call our Neshanic Station, NJ office at (908) 782-4418 or call our Somerville, NJ office at (908) 725-0400. Appointments may also be requested through our website, www.bridgesmilesdental.com. 

Custom Teeth Whitening Trays

Bright and white teeth are something many of us desire, though it can be difficult to acquire on our own. This is because many store-bought whitening kits do not give you the results you want. At Bridge Smiles Dental Group in Neshanic Station, NJ and Somerville, NJ, we can provide our patients with brilliant whitening results using custom take-home teeth whitening trays.

At Bridge Smiles Dental Group, our professional teeth whitening procedure involves custom-created trays that hold in a powerful whitening gel. Since you are able to take the trays with you, the process can be completed in the comfort of your own home and on your time. We take impressions of your teeth to create the custom trays, first. The trays look a lot like Invisalign trays. The whitening gel is placed into the trays and worn for a short period of time over the duration of a few days. Depending on your lifestyle, you can make them work during the day or overnight. The end result often gives patients a smile four to eight shades whiter!

If you are looking to whiten your teeth for an upcoming event or just to boost your self-esteem, be sure to set up an appointment with us. To schedule at Bridge Smiles Dental Group in our Neshanic Station, NJ office, call us at (908) 782-4418. To set up an appointment at our Somerville, NJ office, call us at (908) 725-0400. Appointments may also be requested through our website, www.bridgesmilesdental.com. 

Defining Sleep Apnea

Sleep Apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts. There are two main types of sleep apnea: obstructive sleep apnea, the more common form that occurs when throat muscles relax, and central sleep apnea, which occurs when your brain doesn’t send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing. Here at Bridge Smiles Dental Group P.A., our doctors may suggest oral surgery to assist with sleep apnea, depending on the severity of the condition, but we always consider non-invasive options first.

When obstructive sleep apnea occurs, the muscles relax, your airway narrows or closes as you breathe in, and you can’t get an adequate breath in. Your brain senses this inability to breathe and briefly rouses you from sleep so you can reopen your airway. You may make a snorting, choking or gasping sound. When central sleep apnea occurs, you may awaken with shortness of breath or have a difficult time getting to sleep or staying asleep. Like with obstructive sleep apnea, snoring and daytime sleepiness can occur. Regardless of the type you have, it’s best to explore your treatment options.

If you sleep apnea is a concern of yours, please 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 Smiles Dental Group P.A. in Somerville, NJ, call 908-725-0400.