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.