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.