Oral Surgery for Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a sleeping disorder in which breathing repeatedly starts and stops and has the potential to be serious. There are several surgical procedures that aid in correcting this problem, such as Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), which we at Bridge Smiles Dental Group P.A. are proud to offer our patients. Stanford Health Care describes UPPP as a surgery that “consists of tissue rearrangement at the uvula, palate and throat walls in order to increase the airway size and decrease tissue collapse.”

 

UPPP is the most common surgical procedure for treating sleep apnea, though it is not always successful. A tracheostomy procedure may be performed next, where a breathing tube is placed lower in the windpipe. This tube is closed during the day to allow the patient to breathe and speak normally, but is opened during sleep to allow another passageway to breath should any blockages occur. 

 

Common symptoms of sleep apnea include:

 

- Loud snoring

- Moments during sleep when you stop breathing (usually reported by your partner)

- Gasping for air during sleep

- Waking with a dry mouth

- Morning headaches

- Insomnia

- Hypersomnia

- Difficulty concentrating

- Irritability

 

Bridge Smiles Dental Group P.A. has two locations for your convenience. Our first office is located on 820 US Hwy 202 North in Neshanic Station, NJ 08853. To make an appointment at this location, please call 908-782-4418. Our second office is located on 15 North Bridge St. in Somerville, NJ 08876. To make an appointment at this location, please call 908-725-0400. For more information, feel free to also visit our website at bridgesmilesdental.com.

 

Denture Stomatitis

Good oral hygiene is important for everybody, but people who wear dentures face some particular issues. We provide general dental care to a lot of people with prosthetic teeth at the Bridge Smiles Dental Group, and we want each of them to understand that cleaning their dentures is just as important as cleaning natural teeth. Today we’re talking about denture stomatitis, why it’s a problem, and what you can do about it.

Denture stomatitis is the name for a yeast infection related to oral appliances. Candida fungus is always present in the mouth, but normally it is kept under control by saliva and ordinary brushing and flossing. Saliva contains enzymes that break down fungus and helps to wash away yeast’s food source. But when a patient wears dentures that adhere to the roof of their mouth, the roof will not be exposed to as much saliva, and yeast will be able to colonize there. People who wear dentures that are misshapen or the wrong size are also at risk for chapping at the corners of their mouths, creating a home for pathogens.

An infection can be identified by the red bumps it creates, but the patient may not feel anything. They will have to do visual inspections on themselves. Dentures should be kept wet whenever they are not in use and need to be brushed daily. Wearers should also brush the inside of their mouths each morning before putting their dentures in.

Drs. Meghadri and Grewal run Bridge Smiles Dental Group at 820 US Hwy 202 North Neshanic Station, NJ, and 15 North Bridge St. Somerville, NJ. To schedule an appointment, visit Bridge Smiles Dental.

 

Senior Dental Health

At Bridge Smiles Dental Group P.A., patients of all ages are welcome! This includes our older clients. Dental health grows increasingly important as one grows older. Senior citizens are at a higher risk of developing periodontal (gum) disease, tooth decay, and requiring extraction. Consistent dental care is a must. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Samuel Meghadri today! Contact our offices in Neshanic Station and Somerville, NJ.

 

Many physical tasks become harder with age. You might find yourself struggling with even brushing your teeth! If this is the case, there are a few tips that can help. First, your Neshanic Station and Somerville, NJ dentist recommends an electric toothbrush. These provide the same amount of care, if not better, than a manual toothbrush. Plus, electric toothbrushes require less physical exertion. It is a great investment for your dental toolkit.

 

Everyone struggles with brushing their back molars, especially our elderly patients. There is a simple trick that helps. Try elongating the toothbrush handle. It’s really simple! Look around your home for materials like foam, rubber, or even tongue depressors. Wrap the handle in these products, making it longer.

 

If you live or take care of an older individual, your involvement is important too. Remind them to brush twice a day and floss daily. Help them with any physical tasks that they struggle with. If they can’t drive, take them to their dental appointments or find someone who can. Many senior patients need more frequent dental appointments. This can get expensive, which is why many communities provide discounted programs. Reach out to your local social services or public health office.

 

At Bridge Smiles Dental Group P.A., we believe a healthy mouth equals a healthy life! Talk to our staff in our Neshanic Station and Somerville, NJ offices to schedule an appointment. Dr. Samuel Meghadri is available for scheduling over the phone or through our website. For the Neshanic Station, NJ office, call 908-782-4418. To reach the Somerville, NJ office, dial 908-725-0400.

Dry Mouth

At Bridge Smiles Dental Group P.A., Dr. Samuel Meghadri provides quality dental care for all patients. He’s familiar with all oral and dental conditions, including Xerostomia. This is commonly referred to as Dry Mouth. This disorder makes all everyday tasks difficult. From simple things like talking, chewing, and swallowing, your entire quality of life is lowered. We recommend you contact our offices in Neshanic Station and Somerville, NJ, right away.

 

It may seem weird to think about, but your saliva plays an important role in your everyday life! It is necessary for your dental health. Saliva cleans your mouth while also removing any leftover food debris. Without a normal amount of spit, your teeth aren’t properly sanitized. You are at risk for tooth decay and plaque. Scheduling an appointment right away with your Neshanic Station and Somerville, NJ, dentist is the best course of action.

 

The first important step is determining what is causing your dry mouth. Dr. Meghadri will ask you a few precursory questions. Be forthcoming with any relevant medical history and current medications. At the moment, there are over 500 different medications that cause dry mouth. Do your research before taking any medication. Even if it seems harmless, there’s always a chance of a negative reaction. You might want to talk to your prescribing physician about going on an alternative medication. Autoimmune disorders also put you at risk. Certain conditions, like Sjögren's syndrome, are characterized by salivary dysfunction. Medical treatments are also a possible cause. Chemotherapy is known to create dry mouth.

 

Your treatment depends entirely on what is causing the condition to manifest. Regardless, we have a few general tips for reducing your dry mouth symptoms. Start by reducing your sugar intake. Try cutting out things like soda, tea, alcohol, and coffee. Replace these with simple H2O. Water keeps your saliva flowing and your mouth fresh. You can also invest in certain over-the-counter treatments. Look at your local grocery store or supermarket for these products. They provide dry mouth relief in toothpaste, mouthwash, and gel form.

 

Bridge Smiles Dental Group P.A. is located in Neshanic Station and Somerville, NJ. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Samuel Meghadri, visit our website or call. For the Neshanic Station office, call 908-782-4418. To reach the Somerville office, dial 908-725-0400.

Advancements in Dentistry

At Bridge Smile Dental Group, we pride ourselves on staying current with the advancements of dentistry. The more knowledge we have or the more technology we can offer our patients, the better we can treat their issues. Below are a few exciting advancements in dentistry in recent years.

- AXESS Sedation Mask: Cantel Medical unveiled a new nitrous oxide/oxygen nasal sedation mask in an effort to optimize comfort, decrease anxiety in children, reduce chances of displacement, and allow easy access to the mouth for dental procedures. 

- Better bonding and filling materials: Bonding materials today are made from resin, which is shinier and lasts longer than the substance used in the past. Wider ranges of shades are also available for better blending to the tooth’s natural color. 

- 3D printing: Dentists are now able to print denture bases and surgical guides all within their own practice, cutting down on the time it would take a third party to do this. 

- Digital impressions: Say goodbye to putty teeth impressions! Images can now be taken with scanners that absorb large amounts of data within seconds. These renderings are of higher quality than those created by traditional means.

- Gum disease treatments: Lasers, membranes, bone grafts, or proteins that simulate growth can be used to regenerate bone and tissue in an effort to treat gum disease.

- Laser dentistry: A diode laser is now an option for detecting and removing cavities.

- Thinner veneers: New materials now make it possible to create thinner veneers that are just as strong as its predecessor. This also means that less of the tooth surface is reduced, keeping more of the natural tooth intact.

 

 Bridge Smiles Dental Group P.A. has two locations for your convenience. Our first office is located on 820 US Hwy 202 North in Neshanic Station, NJ 08853. To make an appointment at this location, please call 908-782-4418. Our second office is located on 15 North Bridge St. in Somerville, NJ 08876. To make an appointment at this location, please call 908-725-0400. For more information, feel free to also visit our website at bridgesmilesdental.com.

 

 

Preserving the Tooth Extraction Site

Sometimes pulling teeth is a necessary procedure for overcrowding in the mouth or a raging infection due to tooth decay. It isn’t a procedure to be taken lightly. Unlike wisdom teeth removal where they are located in the back of the mouth and sutures are used, the tooth extraction site essentially becomes an open wound, one that needs to be monitored and given time to heal. We at Bridge Smiles Dental Group understand that getting a tooth pulled isn’t very fun, but we are committed to making the procedure and healing process as comfortable as we can for our patients. 

If you ever think your healing process doesn’t feel normal, you should contact your dentist. Signs of complications include:

-Cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain

-Severe nausea or vomiting

-Redness, swelling, or excessive discharge from the extraction site

-Signs of infection, such as fever and chills

Something else to keep in mind when removing teeth is what to do with that open space once it has healed. If a tooth is removed and nothing is done to the extraction site, your jaw bone will degenerate and change shape while the site heals. This can create problems in your bite and may affect chewing and speaking. Make sure you and your dentist come up with a plan to fill this space.

Bridge Smiles Dental Group P.A. has two locations for your convenience. Our first office is located on 820 US Hwy 202 North in Neshanic Station, NJ 08853. To make an appointment at this location, please call 908-782-4418. Our second office is located on 15 North Bridge St. in Somerville, NJ 08876. To make an appointment at this location, please call 908-725-0400. For more information, feel free to also visit our website at bridgesmilesdental.com.

Importance of Mouth Guards for Athletes

While preventing head trauma is always the main concern during contact sports, some people rarely consider protecting their teeth another vital area to shield. We at Bridge Smiles Dental Group recommend athletes of any age to wear a mouth guard while participating in high impact sports, such as football, hockey, lacrosse, wrestling, basketball, baseball/softball, and soccer. You are given only one smile unique to you, it’s up to you to protect it!

In addition to mouth guards protecting the structural integrity of your teeth, they also protect against jaw damage and lacerations to your cheeks, tongue, and lips. Mouth guards have also been proven to decrease the risk of concussions. What’s better than even more ways to protect yourself from serious head trauma? While mouth guards are available in most sporting goods stores, these don’t always offer the best protection since they can be ill-fitting.

A custom made mouth guard is the best option if you want to have the highest level of comfort and protection. It is created with thin, hardened plastic specifically to fit your mouth and your mouth only. The thinness of a custom mouth guard also allows for easy breathing and communication between your teammates. To ensure optimal protection on the field, court, or rink, contact Bridge Smiles Dental Group about custom made mouth guards.

Bridge Smiles Dental Group P.A. has two locations for your convenience. Our first office is located on 820 US Hwy 202 North in Neshanic Station, NJ 08853. To make an appointment at this location, please call 908-782-4418. Our second office is located on 15 North Bridge St. in Somerville, NJ 08876. To make an appointment at this location, please call 908-725-0400. For more information, feel free to also visit our website at bridgesmilesdental.com.

 

Benefits of Panoramic X-Rays

In order to get the best care, you need to visit a clinic with the best tools. We at the Bridge Smiles Dental Group often provide patients with dental restorations and orthodontic services. To plan our patients’ treatments and monitor their progress, we use three-dimensional panoramic imaging, a type of x-ray more commonly known as a Panorex.

Use of the Panorex does not require any special effort on the patient’s part. After removing metallic objects from their person, they will bite down on a hard piece of plastic that is used to position their jaws. They will then stand still for about twenty seconds while the Panorex’s panels rotate around their head. The machine’s height may be adjusted as needed.

The Panorex will produce a digital image that can be used with software that helps us to predict future tooth migration. The patient is not required to hold film in their mouth, as is needed for older x-ray machines, and there is less risk of radiation exposure. The 3-D image is crucial for determining whether the patient is a good candidate for implants, planning wisdom tooth extractions, and detecting abnormalities in jaw bone tissue. It also allows us to monitor dental wear and instability associated with temporomandibular joint disorder.

Drs. Meghadri and Grewal run Bridge Smiles Dental Group at 820 US Hwy 202 North Neshanic Station, NJ, and 15 North Bridge St. Somerville, NJ. To schedule an appointment, visit Bridge Smiles Dental.

 

Causes of Bad Breath

Do you often have bad breath? It may not be something you ate. We’re dedicated to helping our patients maintain their oral health at the Bridge Smiles Dental Group, and we want our patients to be aware of the signs of infection and other problems. Halitosis, or bad breath, is one of the most significant indicators that your oral hygiene needs more attention.

Bacteria colonize the papillae of the tongue and the spaces between tooth roots and the surrounding gum tissue. Their secretions turn into plaque, and eventually, tartar. Oral bacteria excretions are foul-smelling, and the more food debris oral bacteria have to feed on, the more secretions they’ll produce. They may also consume other biological material, such as nasal discharge that lands in the back of the throat.

Scent related to infections will be worse when the patient lacks saliva to neutralize bacterial acid. Other conditions that can contribute to halitosis are those such as diabetes which create an elevated risk of gingivitis. People may also suffer from bad breath if they have frequent bouts of acid reflux, which may be related to a diet high in citrus juice, alcohol, or red meat. Regular brushing and flossing is crucial to mitigating all of these, as is use of a tongue scraper and mouthwash.

Drs. Meghadri and Grewal run Bridge Smiles Dental Group at 820 US Hwy 202 North Neshanic Station, NJ, and 15 North Bridge St. Somerville, NJ. To schedule an appointment, visit Bridge Smiles Dental.

 

Getting Veneers

If you have chipped, cracked, or slightly gapped teeth, you may not need to have the entire crown replaced. The Bridge Smiles Dental Group in northern New Jersey offers dental veneers to restore your smile. Within two weeks, we can provide you with prosthetic tooth surfaces that will remake your appearance for years.

A veneer is a piece or porcelain that adheres to the front of a tooth. Before we can place it, we must shave a bit of enamel off the patient’s natural tooth to make room for it. (This is done while that patient is numbed.) We will then make an impression of the patient’s reshaped teeth, which we will send to a dental laboratory. While the patient is wearing temporary prosthetic teeth, the dental laboratory is milling their custom-fitted and colored veneers. This will take about two weeks. Once they’re finished, the patient will return to us, and we’ll apply an etching acid to their teeth in order to increase the teeth’s surface area. The veneers can then be cemented on, and the patient will soon be eating and speaking normally.

Veneers can last for ten years when cared for properly. The patient will have to brush and floss as normal and should be careful to wear a mouthguard during physical activity. If the veneer is being used to correct minor crookedness in a tooth, the patient may find that their oral hygiene will become easier to maintain.

Drs. Meghadri and Grewal run Bridge Smiles Dental Group at 820 US Hwy 202 North Neshanic Station, NJ, and 15 North Bridge St. Somerville, NJ. To schedule an appointment, visit Bridge Smiles Dental.

 

Cleaning a Night Guard

Night Guards are crucial oral appliance for people who suffer from bruxism, or night time teeth grinding. Not only to they prevent the teeth from grinding each other down and reduce incidences of obstructive sleep apnea, they also prevent the patient from developing pain in their temporomandibular joints and necks. Different models of night guards will have different rules about cleanliness, but we at Bridge Smiles Dental Group wanted to remind our patients of their importance. Proper hygiene will extend the night guard’s life.

Most night guards should be kept dry when not in use, but there are a few that should be kept wet, according to their manufacturer. These manufacturers will often sell cleaning solution to submerge them in. Regardless of model, a night guard needs to be cleaned on a daily basis and so does the case that contains it. As with all oral appliances, they should be brushed with soft-bristled toothbrushes and with antibacterial soap or gentle toothpaste. Minerals such as fluoride may scratch their plastic, allowing bacteria to colonize them and create a foul odor. Night guards are also vulnerable to warping if they are subjected to extreme heat. Patients should only have them repaired by professionals and should have them updated if their teeth are changing position. They should also always brush and floss their teeth before inserting an oral appliance.

Drs. Meghadri and Grewal run Bridge Smiles Dental Group at 820 US Hwy 202 North Neshanic Station, NJ, and 15 North Bridge St. Somerville, NJ. To schedule an appointment, visit Bridge Smiles Dental.

 

Pregnancy Gingivitis

Gum disease is common, and pregnant women are especially vulnerable to it. While this is expected, it is still a potential threat to a woman’s oral health. We at Bridge Smiles Dental Group care for whole families and want our patients to be as comfortable as possible during pregnancy, so we thought we’d explain a bit more about what causes gingivitis.

Plaque contains acid produced by bacteria in the gum pockets. It is sticky and hardens into tartar. When gum tissue is irritated by acid and tartar, it triggers the body’s inflammatory response. Swelling makes it harder for infectious materials to flow to the rest of the body and easier for antibodies to move through membranes, but the gum tissue also becomes painful and red. When a woman is pregnant, her body will produce large amounts of the hormone progesterone, which triggers the growth of new blood vessels. Progesterone will make the gums particularly responsive to irritants.

Pregnancy gingivitis usually ends with the pregnancy, but it may develop into a more serious infection. As always, brushing and flossing are a patient’s best defense, although she may also want to try non-alcoholic mouthwash. If a woman is snacking more, she’ll also need to clean her teeth more frequently, or at least chew on sugar-free gum after meals. We can provide patients with deep cleanings to remove tartar from their gum pockets and give them refreshers on oral hygiene.

Drs. Meghadri and Grewal run Bridge Smiles Dental Group at 820 US Hwy 202 North Neshanic Station, NJ, and 15 North Bridge St. Somerville, NJ. To schedule an appointment, visit Bridge Smiles Dental.

 

Treating Intrinsic Stains

Cosmetic dentistry and root canals are both among our specialties at the Bridge Smiles Dental Group. Did you know that there are some circumstances that require both kinds of treatments? Intrinsic stains are much rarer than extrinsic ones, but when they occur, you want our experienced dentists on your side.

An extrinsic stain is one that develops on the outside of the enamel as a result of something the patient regularly consumes. Intrinsic stains affect the pulp. Sometimes they form due to the circumstances of the tooth’s development, such as when the patient was exposed to high levels of fluoride or tetracycline antibiotics. These would cause a tooth to be brown or black. But when intrinsic stains develop later in life, they indicate an injury. Infected dental pulp will appear black or some shade of red. They also sometimes give off a bad taste and smell and may be especially sensitive.

We’ll do a root canal procedure to remove infected dental pulp and prevent it from posing a further threat to the patient. Although we frequently use implants to replace teeth, it is to a patient’s benefit to save the natural tooth whenever possible. After the root canal, we’ll fill the empty pulp chamber with whitening solution and seal it. A week later, we can remove the solution and fill the tooth in normally, leaving it with a white crown. A veneer may be added, if necessary.

Drs. Meghadri and Grewal run Bridge Smiles Dental Group at 820 US Hwy 202 North Neshanic Station, NJ, and 15 North Bridge St. Somerville, NJ. To schedule an appointment, visit Bridge Smiles Dental.

 

Dental Avulsion

We hope that you’ll never need to know what to do if you get a tooth knocked out. But if it does happen, there are things you can do to improve your chances of recovery. Although we frequently place dental implants at the Bridge Smiles Dental Group, we don’t underestimate the benefits of keeping natural teeth healthy and we encourage patients to remember the following advice.

“Dental Avulsion” is what we call it when an entire tooth is knocked out of its socket. Ideally, there will be a first aid kit nearby that contains a tooth saving kit approved by the American Dental Association. But if not, the tooth should be picked up by its crown, washed in a saline solution, and then placed back in the socket. If the patient is unable to tell which way the tooth should be facing or is unable to reinsert it, the tooth may be held in the cheek or in a jar of milk while the patient makes an emergency trip to the dentist. (There is a limited amount of time during which teeth can be saved, but gashes to the face should take higher priority.)

Reinserting the tooth will only work if it is a permanent one and relatively undamaged. Dentists do not reinsert baby teeth because doing so may cause them to fuse with the jaw bone instead of being pushed out naturally later. But a juvenile patient may be referred to an orthodontist to keep the gap open until a permanent tooth emerges. A tooth that is cracked at the root cannot be saved, either, but it may be replaced with a partial denture or implant.

Drs. Meghadri and Grewal run Bridge Smiles Dental Group at 820 US Hwy 202 North Neshanic Station, NJ, and 15 North Bridge St. Somerville, NJ. To schedule an appointment, visit Bridge Smiles Dental.

 

Periodontal Splinting

Losing a tooth was exciting when you were six, but not so much anymore. A visit from the Tooth Fairy is now a visit to the dentist. At Bridge Smiles Dental Group P.A., Drs. Meghadri and Grewal offer a technique called Periodontal Splinting. This lets you keep your natural teeth while keeping them strong. Your loose teeth are attached together, creating widespread stability. It’s used to treat looseness caused by periodontal disease, injury, or even misalignment. Contact our offices in Neshanic Station and Somerville, NJ, to learn more.

 

Periodontal splinting is an economical and ingenious dental technique. Splinting saves you the cost and pain of extraction and replacement. Teeth are meant to come in a complete set, and splinting keeps yours together. Temporary and permanent splints are available. Temporary is best for short-term looseness, possibly due to an injury. They come in two types: intra-coronal and extra-coronal. These differ in the way they attach to your teeth. The extra-coronal splint attaches to the enamel. Creating a channel on the back of the teeth sets the stage for intra-coronal splints. Permanent splinting takes longer due to its advanced nature. It’s a long-term solution. Each loose tooth receives a dental crown. Between them is a splint. This fuses the crowns together, creating a connected section.

 

Contact your NJ dentists as soon as you notice a loose tooth. The earlier you seek treatment the better the chances of success. Otherwise, your loose teeth will cause damage to the surrounding areas or lead to infection. It’s always a sign that a dental examination is necessary. Personal injury is the leading cause of looseness. This can happen in a variety of ways. You could experience a hit to the face, a sports injury, or even by falling. Set up an emergency dental appointment immediately. Advanced periodontal disease is another factor. Once the disease progresses to a certain stage it results in tooth loss. A daily dental routine and regular dental appointments can prevent this. Lastly, bruxism or teeth grinding leads to misalignment. The pressure pushes your teeth out of their natural places. A night-guard protects your top set of teeth from the bottom.

 

Don’t wait to contact Bridge Smiles Dental Group P.A. when you notice a loose tooth. It requires immediate treatment. Schedule your appointment with Drs. Meghadri and Grewal by visiting their website or calling. For the Neshanic Station, NJ, office, call 908-782-4418. For Somerville, NJ, call 908-725-0400.

Adding Mouthwash To Your Dental Routine

Drs. Meghadri and Grewal recommend adding mouthwash to your daily dental routine. It’s the best and most effective way to fully clean your mouth. The results are twofold: it prevents smelly breath and dental problems like tooth decay. Just make sure that you aren’t using mouthwash as a replacement for brushing and flossing. Learn more by contacting Bridge Smiles Dental Group P.A. in Neshanic Station and Somerville, NJ.

 

Therapeutic and cosmetic are the two available mouthwash types. Depending on your needs, you will want one over the other. Cosmetic focuses on clearing up bad breath. Therapeutic is used to prevent dental problems like cavities or plaque buildup. Keep this in mind when buying a new mouthwash.

 

When using mouthwash, follow these general instructions:

-Follow the recommended dosage and pour the amount into the cap or a separate cup.

-Swish it around your mouth thoroughly for at least 30 seconds. Try to reach every area of your mouth.

-Once you're done, spit the solution into the sink. Never swallow it! Mouthwash contains chemicals that can be harmful when ingested.

-Don’t eat or drink for 30-minutes following. This gives the effects of the mouthwash enough time to kick in.

 

Trying out mouthwash in your oral hygiene routine? No need to be worried! Your N.J. dentists have a few tips for you. Depending on your dental needs, you’ll want specific types of mouthwash. So if you’re looking for cavity prevention, buy a mouthwash that specializes in that! Same goes for things like gingivitis, plaque and tartar buildup, etc. Pay attention to the ingredients if you’re sensitive to certain dental products. Invest in a sensitive or more organic mouthwash brand. Don’t forget that certain brands contain alcohol in them too.

 

Your teeth and gums are a lifelong investment! Take care of them by partaking in good dental hygiene practices and biannual dental examinations. Only through a professional cleaning can your teeth get the total care they need. In need of a six-month checkup? Contact Bridges Smile Dental Group P.A. We are located in two locations: Neshanic Station and Somerville, NJ. Call the Neshanic Station office at 908-782-4418. For the Somerville location, call 908-725-0400. Schedule your appointment with Drs. Meghadri and Grewal by calling or visiting their website.

Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

You might not think so, but baby teeth need just as much if not more care than adult teeth. By nature, baby teeth aren’t as strong as their counterparts. It’s easier for dental decay to sit in. This includes younger children like infants or toddlers. Baby Bottle Tooth Decay is the phenomenon involving cavities in this age group. That’s why it’s important for you to schedule your child’s dental appointment with Bridge Smiles Dental Group P.A. Drs. Meghadri and Grewal offer pediatric examinations to avoid and detect Baby Bottle Tooth Decay. Learn more at our offices in NJ.

 

Large amounts of bacteria in the mouth cause cavities. They’re attracted to sugary substances left by food and drinks on the teeth. This is true regardless of age. But in infants, these sugary byproducts are caused by the drinks placed in their bottles. Hence the name Baby Bottle Tooth Decay. The American Dental Association states that bottles should only be filled with breast milk, formula, or regular milk. Avoid drinks that are high in sugar, like juice, soft drinks, and sugar-water. Water is the recommended choice for older children. It contains fluoride which naturally helps fight off cavities.

 

There are other steps you can take to minimize your babies exposure to bacteria. Resist giving your child access to a bottle during the night. Moisture in the mouth is a breeding ground for harmful pathogens. Be meticulous when cleaning their pacifiers. Never dip the pacifiers in substances like honey.

 

Mouth-to-mouth contact from the mother is the other biggest source of infiltration. The mother's saliva can kickstart baby bottle tooth decay. Avoid unnecessary mouth contact. Don’t share food or use your mouth to clean off pacifiers.

 

Schedule your child's dental examination with Bridge Smiles Dental Group P.A. To schedule an appointment with Drs. Meghadri or Grewal, call the office or visit our website. We have two conveniently located offices in the NJ area. For our Neshanic Station office, call 908-782-4418. To contact our Somerville office, call 908-725-0400.

Gum Disease and Rheumatoid Arthritis

If you suffer from gum disease, you may be at risk for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). That’s the conclusion drawn by several recent studies into the long-established connection between the two diseases. At the Bridge Smiles Dental Group, we work hard to eliminate gum infections, but we need our patients to understand why it’s so important for them to keep regular appointments and practice oral hygiene.

Gum disease is caused by bacterial infection, but the causes of RA have remained unclear. The latter is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the body’s own synovium, which is the soft tissue that lines joints. As a result, synovium becomes thick and stiff. Scientists used to think that people with RA had high rates of gum disease because they struggled to brush and floss, but it’s often the gum disease symptoms that develop first. Recently, scientists discovered that synovium and gum tissue share similar cellular structures.

New studies have found that the acid secreted by oral bacteria triggers hypercitrullination, which is a process by which proteins are deformed at a higher rate than is necessary to regulate them. The immune system responds by overproducing anti-protein antibodies, which then damage synovium. Researchers are currently investigating whether treating gum disease can reduce inflammation in people already suffering from RA, but in the meantime, patients suffering from gingivitis should schedule appointments with us to prevent joint pain as well as periodontitis.

Drs. Meghadri and Grewal run Bridge Smiles Dental Group at 820 US Hwy 202 North Neshanic Station, NJ, and 15 North Bridge St. Somerville, NJ. To schedule an appointment, visit Bridge Smiles Dental.

 

Asthma and Oral Health

People with asthma face particular oral health challenges. They have heightened levels of dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, and are more vulnerable to tooth decay as a result. The staff at Bridge Smiles Dental Group in Somerset County works hard to take each patient’s oral health needs into account when providing treatment, and we want patients with asthma to understand how they may be affected.

Inflammation in the nose leads many people to breathe through their mouths. This is a problem for oral health because saliva plays a crucial part in neutralizing acid that would otherwise erode enamel and trigger gum recession. Saliva also helps to dislodge bacterial build-up. Asthma patients may additionally suffer from acid reflux due to taking muscle relaxants for their throats that also open the sphincter between the esophagus and the stomach. Another risk is from sugars in inhalant medication that can coat the mouth, so patients may want to use it prior to brushing their teeth at night.

We don’t advise asthma patients to change their medications without consulting with their doctors, but if they’ve developed gingivitis, they may want to inquire about alternatives. If a patient is suffering from dry mouth, they may try a throat moisturizer or stimulating new saliva production by chewing sugar free gum.

Drs. Meghadri and Grewal run Bridge Smiles Dental Group at 820 US Hwy 202 North Neshanic Station, NJ, and 15 North Bridge St. Somerville, NJ. To schedule an appointment, visit Bridge Smiles Dental.

 

Causes of Sensitive Teeth

Do you experience shooting pain in your teeth when you bite into something cold? If so, that’s not normal, and you shouldn’t have to endure it. Tooth sensitivity can have several causes, but at the Bridge Smiles Dental Group, we’ll work to identify and rectify it.

Each tooth contains a nerve in its dental pulp. Surrounding the pulp is a material called dentin, which is made up of tiny tubes that easily transmit heat in or out of the pulp. Enamel, which makes up the outside of the crown, is the hardest substance in the human body, but it can still become cracked or eroded. When it is thin, the yellow-grey colored dentin may be visible through it.

Teeth grinding can wear enamel down or break it outright, but most erosion is due to exposure to acid. Sources of acid include sugar-eating bacteria that secrete acid as they metabolize, acid that is regurgitated from the stomach into the oral cavity, and drinks such as soda and citrus juice have high acid content. Tooth roots have less enamel and are dependent on gum tissue to protect them, so when gum tissue recedes, they’re especially sensitive. Patients can use extra-fluoridated toothpaste to remineralize enamel, but once it’s gone, it will have to be replaced with bonding or a similar prosthetic.

Drs. Meghadri and Grewal run Bridge Smiles Dental Group at 820 US Hwy 202 North Neshanic Station, NJ, and 15 North Bridge St. Somerville, NJ. To schedule an appointment, visit Bridge Smiles Dental.

 

Impacted Teeth and Pericoronitis

When a tooth is unable to fully erupt, it could become a problem for a patient’s oral health. The Bridge Smiles Dental Group of Somerset County frequently treats patients for gum infections, but further steps may need to be taken when an impacted tooth is causing pericoronitis.

A tooth is said to be impacted when its crown does not push fully through the gum line. This can happen to any tooth, but most often befalls the lower wisdom teeth. The word “pericoronitis” describes inflammation surrounding a crown and is specifically used to describe the infections that tend to develop around difficult-to-clean partly erupted teeth. An impacted tooth will be especially prone to infection if it is partly covered by a flap of gum tissue, called an operculum, which food debris and pus can get trapped under.

A patient can take extra precautions to keep an impacted tooth clean, such as swishing warm salt water in their mouths after each brushing. But infections may require the use of oral antibiotics to treat, and if they recur, we may need to consider oral surgery. An operculum can be cut away or removed with a laser. Removing the impacted tooth may also be necessary for orthodontic reasons.

Drs. Meghadri and Grewal run Bridge Smiles Dental Group at 820 US Hwy 202 North Neshanic Station, NJ, and 15 North Bridge St. Somerville, NJ. To schedule an appointment, visit Bridge Smiles Dental.

 

Choosing the Right Dental Products

Our doctors at Bridges Smile Dental advise patients to ask us what cleaning products work best for their teeth. In order for you to properly clean your teeth, you need to use the right toothpaste and toothbrush. Depending on how healthy your teeth help us to determine what toothbrush and toothpaste work best to clean your teeth with.

When possible, we encourage our patients that have a history of cavities and signs of gum disease to use an electric toothbrush. Electric toothbrushes remove more plaque than regular toothbrushes. Traditional toothbrushes work just fine as long as you brush properly for two full minutes. Toothbrushes come in all shapes and sizes so make sure to choose one that fits your mouth and helps you clean your teeth the best.

We want all of our patients to use toothpaste that contains fluoride for the best clean. Fluoride toothpaste helps to strengthen your tooth enamel and keep your teeth clean. In certain cases, our doctors might recommend a toothpaste that doesn’t contain fluoride.

Regardless of the type of dental products you use to clean your teeth with, we want all of our patients to brush twice a day so you have the healthiest teeth!

If you have any questions or concerns about what teeth toothbrush and toothpaste are right for you, please give us a call. To learn more about all of the services we provide at our office, 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.

Avoid Drinking Soda for Healthier Teeth

At Bridges Smile Dental, we encourage our patients to avoid drinking soda when possible. Soda is damaging to your teeth since the bacteria in your mouth feeds off of sugar to create acids.  When acid is created it feeds off your tooth enamel which is there to protect your teeth and leads to tooth decay.

When possible, we want our patients to drink healthier alternatives such as water and milk which strengthens your teeth. When you consume soda, we advise our patients to use a straw if to limit the amount of sugar that is resting on your teeth. If possible, you should brush your teeth after drinking soda, if you are unable to, rinse your mouth out with water to wash away the acid. The best time to brush your teeth and rinse is 20-30 minutes after drinking soda to remove the acid.

To maintain healthy teeth, our doctors at Alta Loma Dental encourage you to be mindful of what you eat and drink. Don’t forget to get your teeth cleaned at our office twice a year to maintain good dental hygiene!

If you have any questions or concerns about what teeth toothbrush and toothpaste are right for you, please give us a call. To learn more about all of the services we provide at our office, 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.

Importance of Flossing

At Bridges Smile Group P.A., we advise our patients to floss daily for good oral hygiene. Flossing helps you clean the areas of your teeth that a toothbrush can't’ reach. Brushing daily will help to fight gum disease and prevent cavities.

A lot of patients don’t floss because they think it is too time-consuming. While brushing is important, flossing does the dirty work and gets rid of 40% of debris in your mouth. When food gets stuck in between your teeth, it allows plaque to build up if you don't floss.

Remember to use floss that is 15-18 inches long and curb the floss around each tooth while rubbing it up and down to scrape away any plaque. It is normal for your gums to bleed because they are inflamed from poor dental hygiene. There will be less bleeding the more you consistently floss. 

We want all of our patients to floss daily to prevent cavities and have a greater chance of healthier teeth and gums.

If you have any questions or concerns about flossing, please give us a call. To learn more about all of the services we provide at our office, 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.

Inlays/Onlays

Inlays/onlays are partial crowns that restore appearance and functionality to your teeth. At Bridge Smiles Dental Group P.A., Drs. Meghadri and Grewal want you to be proud of your smile. Your smile will be with you for the rest of your life, you might as well enjoy it! If you are interested in inlays/onlays, visit our office in Somerville, NJ. or Neshanic Station, NJ.

 

Inlays/onlays use your natural teeth as a base to be placed onto. Doing so will strengthen the teeth, prevent any more damage, and restore its natural appearance. The difference between receiving an inlay vs. an onlay depends on the tooth. For more severe damage, an onlay is needed. Inlays are just placed and bonded directly onto your teeth. Onlays extend onto the back of the tooth, essentially replacing one or more of the tooths cusps.

 

During the procedure, the decayed or damaged areas of the tooth will be removed. An impression will then be made from the tooth. This impression is what will be used to create your personalized restorative device. We then send the mold to a dental laboratory to create. This will take about 2-3 weeks to be completed. In the meantime, you will receive sealant on the tooth. At your final appointment, your permanent inlay/onlay will be bonded to your tooth with cement.

 

Bridge Smiles Dental Group P.A. is located in two offices, Neshanic Station, NJ. and Somerville, NJ. To schedule an appointment with Drs. Meghadri and Grewal, visit our website or call. To reach the Neshanic Station office, call 908-782-4418. For the Somerville, NJ. office, call 908-725-0400.

Electric vs Traditional Toothbrushes

There are a lot of options to choose from when deciding what toothbrush to clean your teeth with. At Bridges Smile Dental, we encourage our patients to change toothbrushes every 3-4 months or after their bristles are worn down. If your bristles begin to get splayed and distorted, it means you are no longer effectively brushing your teeth.

We advise wanting our patients to ask our doctors what kind of toothbrush works best for their teeth, electric or a traditional toothbrush. If your teeth are in good shape and you brush your teeth and gums thoroughly for a full two minutes, a traditional toothbrush works perfectly fine. We recommend electric toothbrushes for our patients who need to clean better and are at risk of gum disease and cavities. Electric toothbrushes have bristles that rotate and help you to clean more areas on your teeth effectively by removing plaque

The most important thing to us is that you are brushing and flossing consistently. We advise our patients to visit us twice a year for cleaning to make sure your teeth are healthy.

If you have any questions or concerns about what toothbrush works best for you, please give us a call. To learn more about all of the services we provide at our office, 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.

Root Canal Therapy

Endodontics is the dental specialty that focuses on the roots or nerves of the teeth. The most common of these procedures is the infamous root canal. Root canals are a necessary procedure for when a tooth becomes infected. The infection is often located in the roots or nerves of the teeth, and this procedure is the only way to clear out the infection. Drs. Meghadri and Grewal offer root canals to our patients here at Bridge Smiles Dental Group P.A.

 

An infected tooth is a very serious problem. If left untreated, a tooth can become an abscess, leading to bone loss in the jaw. At the beginning of the procedure, a local anesthetic will be applied to the tooth. Drs. Meghadri or Grewal will then drill down into the tooth to open up the root canal. This allows them to remove the infected tissue. The area will also be cleaned thoroughly as well. After everything is done, a sealant will be applied. A dental crown is often placed on top of the tooth. This not only restores the appearance but helps the tooth heal.

 

With the use of modern technology, root canals aren't the imposing procedure that they used to be. Pain medication and local anesthetics make the procedure almost painless. Any soreness felt afterward is completely normal.

 

Bridge Smiles Dental Group P.A. is located in two offices, located in Neshanic Station and Somerville, NJ. To schedule an appointment with Drs. Meghadri or Grewal, visit our website or call. For the Neshanic Station office, call 908-782-4418. To contact the Somerville office, call 908-725-0400.

Occlusal Adjustment

If you often find yourself waking up with a sore jaw, or feel like your bite is lopsided, you may need an occlusal adjustment. An occlusal adjustment can fix the misalignment of your bite. At Bridge Smiles Dental Group P.A., Drs. Meghadri and Grewal offer these services to our patients. If left untreated, a misalignment can lead to chronic pain and conditions like temporomandibular disorder.

 

A misaligned bite is often caused by loose, missing, crowded, or shifted teeth. When this occurs, the entire balance of the mouth is thrown off. An uneven distribution of pressure causes the pain or soreness in the jaw. An occlusal adjustment can fix your bite, allowing your teeth to meet evenly again. The best candidates for adjustment are patients with these loose or shifting teeth. Patients who grind their teeth or have teeth sensitivity also qualify.

 

At your appointment, Drs. Meghadri or Grewal will use imaging technology to take hundreds of pictures of your mouth. They will record how your teeth fit together when you bite down and open. These images create data that shows us where the adjustments are needed. The procedure itself causes minimum pain and discomfort. A dental drill is used with a fine filing stone. Removal mouthpieces are also used to protect the teeth and relax your jaw muscles afterward.

 

To schedule your appointment with Drs. Meghadri and Grewal, contact Bridge Smiles Dental Group P.A. We are located in two convenient locations, Neshanic Station and Somerville, NJ. You can visit our website to create an appointment or call. To reach the Neshanic Station office, call 908-782-4418. For the Somerville office, call 908-725-0400.

Smoking and Pulpitis

Smokers are at higher risk for oral infections. We at Bridge Smiles Dental Group hope most people by now understand the connection between smoking and gingivitis and oral cancer. But recently, scientists discovered another harmful impact smoking has: increasing the severity and recurrence of dental pulp infections.

Inflammation is part of the immune system’s response to a disease or injury. When a tooth is infected, the inner pulp becomes inflamed (a condition we call “pulpitis”). This has the benefits of filling the area with white blood cells, restricting the flow of infected blood to the rest of the body, and of making cellular walls more permeable to immune system resources. Among those resources are antimicrobial peptides, which are molecules that attach to pathogenic bacteria and neutralize them.

In a recent study, scientists found that smokers lack antimicrobial peptides in their dental pulp. Because of this, their pulpitis was more resistant to treatment. Root canal therapy is the ordinary way of combatting a pulp infection; it allows us to remove the infected material and replace it with a sealant. But without antimicrobial peptides, small amounts of bacteria in overlooked material can linger. We’ll still do our best to care for patients with toothaches, but it is likelier smokers will need to have a tooth replaced. Some good news is that the study found antimicrobial peptides can sometimes return after the patient quits smoking.

Drs. Meghadri and Grewal run Bridge Smiles Dental Group at 820 US Hwy 202 North Neshanic Station, NJ, and 15 North Bridge St. Somerville, NJ. To schedule an appointment, visit Bridge Smiles Dental.

 

Bite Checks

This National Children’s Dental Health Month, we of Bridge Smiles Dental Group want to remind the families we care for why bite checks are so important. Children’s biannual dental examinations are an opportunity to do deep cleanings and provide sealants as a defense against decay. But they’re also an opportunity for us to monitor the progression of our patients’ permanent teeth and determine whether they’re chewing comfortably or grinding their teeth.

Bruxism, nighttime teeth grinding or jaw clenching, is a common reaction to stress. It could also be caused by obstructive sleep apnea, which forces the body to reposition the jaw to open the upper throat’s airways. It can cause pain that radiates to the rest of the head, neck, and shoulders and cause difficulty opening the mouth (a condition known as temporomandibular joint disorder). It also may weaken the gingival ligaments holding teeth in place or cause the teeth to erode or crack.

During the examination, our hygienists will look for signs of bruxism on a patient’s enamel. They may also do a tactile test of the temporomandibular joints, which connect the lower jaw to the head, ask the patient to demonstrate closing their teeth together, and ask about the patient’s comfort when chewing or after waking up. A night guard can protect a patient from bruxism, but we may refer pediatric patients for orthodontic assessments if we think a bite disorder is due to tooth misalignment or has pushed teeth out of place.

Drs. Meghadri and Grewal run Bridge Smiles Dental Group at 820 US Hwy 202 North Neshanic Station, NJ, and 15 North Bridge St. Somerville, NJ. To schedule an appointment, visit Bridge Smiles Dental.

 

Choosing the Right Dental Products

At Bridges Smile Group P.A., we advise our patients on how to practice good oral hygiene. In order for you to properly clean your teeth, you need to use the right toothpaste and toothbrush. Our doctors can help recommend the right cleaning products based on your teeth and gums after a cleaning.

When possible, we encourage our patients with more cavities to use an electric toothbrush. Traditional toothbrushes work just fine as long as you brush properly for two full minutes, but people who regularly get cavities often do not and many are unable to. Toothbrushes come in all shapes and sizes so make sure to choose one that is soft bristled, fits your mouth, and that you can grip easily.

Don’t forget to use toothpaste that contains fluoride unless our doctors recommend otherwise. Fluoride toothpaste helps to strengthen your tooth enamel and keep your teeth clean.

Regardless of the type of toothbrush and toothpaste you use, we want all of our patients to brush twice a day so you have the healthiest teeth!

If you have any questions or concerns about what teeth toothbrush and toothpaste are right for you, please give us a call. To learn more about all of the services we provide at our office, 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.

Sealants

At Bridge Dental Group P.A., we advise our patients to get sealants to protect their permanent molars. Sealants are a plastic coating that goes on the chewing surface of the molar to prevent tooth decay. Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease among children. It can be difficult for your children to brush their molars effectively because they are located in the back of their mouth.

When applying sealants to molars, an adhesive is used with a liquid that is painted right on your tooth. The liquid then hardens and creates a barrier between your tooth and any plaque or bacteria that can be damaging to your teeth. After sealants are applied, they last for about 10 years and can be replaced when necessary.

Don’t forget to brush your teeth twice a day and floss to prevent tooth decay even with sealants!

If you have any questions or concerns about what teeth toothbrush and toothpaste are right for you, please give us a call. To learn more about all of the services we provide at our office, 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.

Water Flossing with Orthodontics

Flossing is crucial when it comes to maintaining great oral health. Cleaning between the teeth is an important step to remove food particles that have been left behind after brushing. Flossing can significantly reduce periodontal disease and cavity-causing causing bacteria that leads to tooth decay, but sometimes the act of flossing is difficult for a patient with orthodontics. Bridge Smiles Dental may suggest using a water flosser for those hard to reach places!

A safe, easy, and effective way to remove plaque around dental braces is to use a water flosser. A water flosser is a handheld device that sprays streams of water in steady pulses. Not only is this beneficial to patients with traditional braces, water flossers are also an option for people who have trouble controlling traditional floss by hand. It’s important to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss at least once a day to reap the maximum benefits of a healthy mouth!

To learn more about orthodontics and the treatments we provide, visit www.bridgesmilesdental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Bridge Smiles Dental Group in Somerville, NJ, call 908-725-0400.

Teeth Whitening

At Bridge Smiles Dental we realize that not everybody’s teeth are as white as they would like them to be, which is why we offer teeth whitening that can make patient’s teeth 4-8 times whiter. Teeth whitening restore the natural color of your teeth and will have your smile looking even better than before. As white as patients want their teeth to be, we can make it happen in no time with just a few simple steps.

The first thing that patients receive is an impression of their teeth that makes a custom whitening tray that can be used as many times as you want to whiten your teeth. The whitening gel is applied to the tray before you fit it over your teeth to whiten at home. Stains can occur over time even with proper care, so if patients are looking to whiten their teeth the solution is at Bridge Smiles Dental.

For more information on teeth whitening, visit www.bridgesmilesdental.com.  To schedule an appointment with Samuel Meghadri of Bridge Smiles Dental in Somerville, NJ, give us a call at 908-725-0400. 

Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars and the last teeth that will ever come in. Not everybody has their wisdom teeth removed as they fit naturally in some cases, but most of the time molars need to be removed in the patient’s late teens or early 20’s.

Molars that are coming in at the wrong angle and pressing against your teeth call for immediate removal. Often times the molars will simply not being able to fit in your mouth because there is not enough room. Wisdom teeth can become painful as they get trapped in your jaw or gums due to them being so far in the back of your mouth.

The surgery for removing wisdom teeth is relatively quick, taking no more than 45 minutes. Most patients sleep during the process from IV sedation or laughing gas and don’t remember a thing. Recovery time varies from a couple days to sometimes a week depending on the patient.

For more information on wisdom teeth visit our website at www.bridgesmilesdental.com.  To schedule an appointment with Samuel Meghadri of Bridge Smiles Dental at 15 North Bridge, St Somerville, NJ,   give us a call at 908-725-0400.

Oral Cancer Screenings

Oral cancer screenings are an examination performed by a dentist or doctor to look for signs of cancer or precancerous conditions in your mouth. The purpose of an oral cancer screening is to identify mouth cancer early, when there is a greater chance for effective treatment.

There are a variety of factors that increase the chance of oral cancer. Patients who use tobacco of any kind, drink alcohol regularly, or have had a previous oral cancer diagnosis  are recommended to receive an oral cancer screening at Bridge Smiles Dental. 

Screenings are a harmless test that dentists use to determine if there may be cause for concern and if additional tests need to be done. The screening will consist of the dentist examining the patient’s mouth and feeling for any lumps and abnormalities in your mouth. Another test is patients rinsing their mouth with blue dye before an exam where abnormal cells turn blue and could lead to further examination. Testing for oral cancer is painless and doesn’t take long so give us a call at Bridge Smiles Dental to receive an exam.

For more information visit our website at www.bridgesmilesdental.com.To schedule an appointment, give us a call at 908-725-0400. Samuel Meghadri, Bridge Smiles Dental, 15 North Bridge, St Somerville, NJ.

Cirrhosis and Gum Disease

Dentistry isn’t just a way of maintaining your teeth; it’s a key component of overall health. We at Bridge Smiles Dental hope our patients understand that there are a lot of things going on in their body that can affect their oral health, including diabetes. But now scientists have found evidence that better gum health can improve symptoms of a surprising disease: cirrhosis

Inflammation throughout the body can result from cirrhosis. The disease develops when the liver becomes scarred and is unable to filter toxic chemicals from the blood. Build up of toxins and inflammation in the brain can cause cognitive fog. People with gum disease have high rates of cirrhosis. Scientists thought that could be because both diseases can result from smoking and alcohol use, but new evidence has emerged that gum disease is also unusually common in people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Researchers soon became interested in whether one affects the other.

In a study recently conducted by Virginia Commonwealth University, people with cirrhosis and gum disease were divided into groups that received periodontal therapy at different times. The study found that after being treated, people were significantly likelier to experience a reduction in cirrhosis symptoms, including cognitive fog, and that they had higher counts of a gut microbe that combats inflammation. There’s still a lot about the link between oral bacteria and cirrhosis that we don’t understand, but we hope our patients will appreciate the importance of dental care and how much of a difference it can make to someone’s quality of life.

Drs. Meghadri and Grewal run Bridge Smiles Dental Group at 820 US Hwy 202 North Neshanic Station, NJ, and 15 North Bridge St. Somerville, NJ. To schedule an appointment, visit Bridge Smiles Dental.