Alcohol and Oral Cancer

At Bridge Smiles Dental Group, we provide treatment for a number of oral health issues, but our preferred approach is prevention. To help combat oral cancer, we wanted to pass along new findings from the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) linking cancer to use of alcohol.

According to the ASCO’s new study, use of alcohol increases the risk of cancer, including of the mouth and throat, by about 5%. This number is inclusive of alcohol when used in light or moderate amounts, although heavy drinking appears to be riskier. The rate was unchanged by the amount of alcohol consumed. While doctors have long warned of the dangers of drinking and smoking, this study was different in that it examined drinking in isolation. The exact reason alcohol is linked to oral cancer remains unknown, but the researchers suspect that the breaking down and rebuilding of the soft tissues of the mouth increases the risk of DNA getting miscopied, resulting in cancerous growths.

Not all the news from the ASCO is bad. While alcohol is associated with many types of cancer, the damage it does to the aerodigestive tract is reversible. When people quit drinking, their risk for oral cancer declined to the level of people who never drank.

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.

 

Lip Care in Winter

With more winter weather to look forward to, we at Bridge Smiles Dental Group want to make sure our patients, and especially, those wearing braces, know how to care for their lips. Cold air cannot retain much moisture and high winds make some chapping likely, but there are precautions which can reduce the risk of irritation to the mouth’s soft tissues.

Outside, the only real option is to keep a scarf wrapped tightly around the face, but inside, you can make some modifications to the environment. It’s a good idea to have a humidifier in the bedroom and anywhere else you need to spend a long time. Avoid hot, long showers, since they dry the skin out faster. Applying lip balm several times a day, including before bed is helpful as long as you’re not allergic to the ingredients. If your lips get red and swollen after applying the balm, check the ingredients for menthol and switch products.

Since the air is drier this time of year, people who suffer from dry mouth are going to be particularly at risk. Any sort of breathing issue which could be contributing to dryness needs to be investigated. Avoid wetting the lips with saliva, since saliva evaporates quickly, taking more moisture with it. If you have braces and are suffering from irritation, they should apply dental wax to their brackets in large quantities. Do not attempt to protect the lips by folding them under the teeth, as this will further inflame them and may cause tooth migration.

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.

 

Caries in Seniors

We’re proud at Bridge Smiles Dental Group that many of our patients choose us for life-long care. Oral hygiene never stops being important, and seniors especially need to watch out for tooth decay. Recent information from the Centers for Disease Control indicated that one in five seniors suffered from untreated caries.

Dental caries often occurs in adults who previously had good oral health. There are a number of risk factors seniors face, including difficulty with brushing and flossing due to declining motor control, dry mouth resulting from medications, lack of access to dental insurance to cover regular cleanings, and changes in diet to focus more on foods that are softer, but leave more sugary debris caught between their teeth. And then, there is also forgetfulness and lack of motivation. That seniors developed their permanent teeth before widespread access to fluoridated water means any decline in oral hygiene will have much worse effects on them.

The good news is that all of these problems are fixable, and we can help with some of them, including by recommending home products suited for each of our patient’s needs. The cleanings we provide also go a long way toward ensuring that seniors can keep their natural teeth and are spared toothaches and decay.

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 BridgeSmilesDental.com.

 

How to Clean Retainers

When the first phase of your orthodontic work is done, you’ll find oral hygiene much easier. But you’ll also have to learn how to take care of your retainer. At Bridge Smiles Dental Group, we understand that our patients have questions about this, which is why we’ve provided this guide.

Always make sure your mouth is as clean of food debris as possible before putting your retainer in. Rinse it off before reinserting it, and rinse it when you take it out, as well. But be careful to only use water that is cool or room-temperature; hot water can permanently warp a retainer’s shape, requiring it to be replaced. Once a day, you should thoroughly, but gently brush your retainer with a soft-bristled toothbrush (not the same one you use for your teeth). Be careful when deciding which toothpaste you use, as fluoridated toothpaste contains minerals which can scratch the retainer, allowing bacteria to colonize the crevices. It is better to use soft toothpaste, such as the kinds made for dentures.

Also be sure to regularly clean the retainer’s protective case. People need to use retainers for a long time, but if one becomes damaged, don’t hesitate to get it replaced.

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 BridgeSmilesDental.com.

 

Can You Remineralize Tooth Enamel?

Though tooth enamel isn’t necessarily a bone, it’s one of the strongest substances in the body. Enamel is what helps you chew your food, and plays an important role in periodontal health. When our enamel loses minerals, this can result in white spots on the teeth as well as cavities. Your health, diet, and lifestyle all relate to the status of your enamel, and our doctors at Bridge Smile Dental Group P.A. encourage patients to keep it healthy.

Tooth enamel can’t be restored, therefore once it’s gone, it’s gone for good. However, there are many preventive measures you can take to ensure that your enamel stays strong. It helps to avoid acidic foods that can break down enamel and make it weak, and you should always brush at least twice a day and floss at least once a day to maintain a healthy oral status.

If you have questions or concerns regarding dental health, please give us a call. To learn more about 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.

Extrinsic Tooth Stains

When we enjoy a cup of coffee or a glass of wine, we don’t think of the damage it does to our teeth. This damage we refer to isn’t a cause for concern, but tooth discoloration can be aesthetically unpleasing. Our doctors at Bridge Smile Dental Group P.A. offer whitening services to eliminate these stains to help boost your confidence and restore the shine in your smile.

Tooth stains that occur on the surface of enamel are called extrinsic stains and they are easier to remove than their counterpart – intrinsic stains. Teeth whitening or bleaching do an excellent job of improving the shade of a tooth and can revive a person’s smile in a short period of time. To prevent stains from accruing, drink beverages that lack pigment, such as water and milk.

If you have questions or concerns regarding teeth whitening or tooth discoloration, please give us a call. To learn more about 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.

Causes of Bleeding Gums

Bleeding gums are a sadly common occurrence, and they don’t have to be. At Bridge Smiles Dental Group, we provide periodontal therapies to help get patients’ gums healthy again, but we want people to know how to avoid this problem in the first place.

Periodontal disease follows from severe gum inflammation. This happens when a large amount of plaque had built up on teeth next to the gum line. The gums are irritated by acids caught by the plaque, which causes them to swell, bleed, and recede. The teeth and jawbone tissue also lose mass. Although plaque should be removed by professional hygienists, it may be possible to prevent further build-up by brushing for longer and with fluoridated toothpaste.

Patients should be cautious that brushing too hard can also bruise the gums. Pregnant women’s gums are likelier to become inflamed due to hormonal changes, and people who suffer from dry mouth are likelier to have bleeding gums because saliva plays an important role in preventing the spread of decay-causing bacteria. Certain medications can also increase the likelihood of gum disease if they are blood thinners.

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 BridgeSmilesDental.com.