Thursday, May 18, 2017
Oral Health Care for Seniors
Seniors are more likely to suffer from a host of oral health issues resulting from their inability to provide themselves with adequate dental hygiene care. Certain medical conditions, such as arthritis in the hands and fingers that may make brushing or flossing teeth difficult to perform. These factors leave many seniors at risk of ignoring tooth decay and tooth infection until there is no alternative but tooth extraction. At each of our practices, we have procedures or products to prevent this from happening. With regular checkups, we can catch problems in the earliest stages to help prevent serious conditions from occurring.
If you or someone you know is due for a dental checkup, 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.
Baby Tooth Care Tips
Wipe the gums off after each feeding with a warm, wet washcloth or a dampened piece of gauze wrapped around your finger. In addition, take measures to prevent baby bottle tooth decay, a disease that causes severe, swift decay of baby teeth. To help prevent it, do not put your baby to bed with a bottle of formula or a sugary drink, such as juice. The possibility of tooth decay is directly related to the number of times that sugar comes in contact with the teeth. Your child’s baby teeth act as placeholders for adult teeth. Without a healthy set of baby teeth, your child risks having trouble chewing and speaking clearly as they get older.
If you have questions about pediatric oral care, 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.
Diabetic Oral Care
If you have diabetes, symptoms of dental problems include bleeding and sore gums, frequent infections, and bad breath. Whether you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, managing your blood sugar level is critical. The higher your blood sugar level, the higher your risk of tooth decay, gingivitis, and periodontitis. Additionally, high blood sugar may cause dry mouth and make gum disease worse. The decrease in saliva can cause an increase in tooth-decaying bacteria and plaque buildup. You can prevent these problems by maintaining good blood sugar control, brushing and flossing and least twice a day, and schedule a dental checkup every six months.
If you are diabetic and have questions about oral care, 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.
Bruxism Basics
When diagnosing bruxism, one of our doctors will ask about your general dental health, what sources of stress you have in your life, and what medicines you take. He or she will then examine you, paying special attention to the muscles in and around your jaw. Additionally, the doctor may look at your teeth for evidence of grinding as well as check for tenderness in your jaw muscles and the jaw joint.
If you catch yourself grinding or clenching your teeth, please 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 Smiles Dental Group P.A. in Somerville, NJ, call 908-725-0400.
Clear, Less Noticeable Braces
Clear braces work just the same as traditional braces but they are less visible. Clear braces have ceramic brackets which blend in well with the color of your teeth. Clear or tooth-colored wires can also be possible. In every other sense, they work just like traditional braces. They are applied the same way; brackets are attached to each tooth and are all connected by a wire. The wire is tightened in different directions to apply continuous pressure on the teeth. Over time, the teeth shift into place. Each patient has a different case, but the average amount of time for a teen to wear braces is about two years. For an adult, the average is one year.
Clear braces take away the traditional metallic look of braces and create a less noticeable form of straightening. Many patients can now feel better about the look of their smile while undergoing treatment.
If you are interested in a more discreet set of braces, clear braces may be the perfect option for you. To schedule a consultation with Bridge Smiles Dental Group in our Neshanic Station, NJ office, call (908) 782-4418. To schedule at our Somerville, NJ office, call (908) 725-0400. Appointments may also be requested through our website, www.bridgesmilesdental.com.
Do You Clean Your Tongue?
With tiny, hair-like taste buds, bacteria can become trapped in the tongue like a sponge. This can lead to more plaque, more cavities, and bad breath! Just like plaque forms on your teeth after a few hours, a film of bacteria can also form on your tongue.
To clean your tongue, you can use your toothbrush or a tongue scraper. There are metal and plastic tongue scrapers that can be found where dental supplies are sold. Any of these options will do just fine.
Take your toothbrush or tongue scraper and place it on the back of your tongue, press down firmly and drag the toothbrush down towards the tip of your tongue. Do not press down hard; this may injure taste buds. Scrape your tongue a few times until it looks clean, rinsing your toothbrush or tongue scraper after each stroke.
Cleaning your tongue leads you to better oral health and fresher breath. To schedule your next cleaning and examination with Bridge Smiles Dental Group, call our Neshanic Station, NJ office at (908) 782-4418 or our Somerville, NJ office at (908) 725-0400. More information about our practice can be found on our website, www.bridgesmilesdental.com.
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
Beat Bad Breath
It’s easy to smell bad breath on others but it’s hard to smell your own. Bad breath odor is usually caused by a group of anaerobic, sulfur-producing bacteria that breed beneath the surface of the tongue and often in the throat and tonsil area. These bacteria occur naturally in your oral environment and are supposed to be there because they assist your digestion by breaking down proteins into amino acids. Here at Bridge Smiles Dental Group P.A., our doctors can help you develop a treatment plan to eliminate this self-conscious problem.
By developing the right habits, you can be effective at preventing bad breath. Some of these habits include, but are not limited to brushing your teeth twice a day, brushing or scraping your tongue, floss your teeth, use an antibacterial mouthwash, chewing sugar-free gum, quitting smoking, and scheduling a dental checkup twice a year. If you have persistent bad breath, it helps to keep a diary of the foods you eat and to list any medicines that you are taking.
If you have bad breath, 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 Smiles Dental Group P.A. in Somerville, NJ, call 908-725-0400.