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.