These days, few dental procedures are becoming more commonplace than getting dental implants.
To put it in the most basic terms, a dental implant is an artificial root used to support various dental prosthesis, such as dentures, crowns, and so on. They are a part of a wide array of procedures, from some types of false teeth to full dental reconstruction.
Our doctors at Bayside work with experienced surgeons and coordinate your care through each phase of treatment. Once the surgeon has placed the implant or implants, our doctors can finish your case with beautifully fabricated restorations, whether it is a single crown (“cap”), bridge or even a full denture.
What kinds of people get dental implants?
- Those who have lost a tooth or teeth in an accident
- Those facing major tooth replacement due to decay
- Athletes who lost teeth during competition
- Actors and models seeking to improve their smile
- Older patients who do not want traditional dentures
- Anyone who is missing teeth
As you can see, dental implants cover a wide range of people and a wide variety of needs. With such a broad demographic, you might assume that the reasons people get dental implants are just as varied.
That assumption would be correct. Here are just a few of the reasons why patients seek out dental implants from their dentist in Southern Ocean County:
- Prevent Jawbone Loss – Choosing a fixed bridge over a dental implant means your jawbone will begin to deteriorate. A root tooth is required to adequately stimulate the bone. A dental implant supplies that stimulation.
- Maintain Your Appearance – No dental reconstruction procedure goes further in maintaining your appearance than dental implants in Barnegat. This is because other procedures can result in a “sunken” appearance around your jaw, among other issues.
- Help You Speak Better – Unlike other procedures, dental implants effectively recreate the condition your jaw should be in. Other procedures can impact the way you speak, forcing you to relearn certain ways of speaking. This is not the case with dental implants.
- Longer Lasting – Most other dental restoration procedures do not last nearly as long as dental implants do.
- More Permanent Than Traditional Dentures – Traditional dentures have been a necessity for some people, but no one likes them. Dental implants can replace traditional dentures with a more permanent, more comfortable option.
- Prevent Shifting Of Your Teeth – When there is an empty space in your jaw, your teeth have a natural tendency to shift into that space. In time, this will result in crooked teeth. Dental implants will prevent this.
Based on the above, the reasons why people in Southern Ocean County get dental implants should be obvious. No matter how you look at them, they are superior to traditional dentures and tooth replacement.
They are catching on nationwide, too. Consider these facts:
- 3 million Americans now have dental implants
- 10 percent of dentists now perform the procedure
- Dental implants are a $1 billion market in the United States
- The success rate for dental implants is 98 percent
- Only modern materials, such as titanium alloys, are used in dental implants
- The surgery is painless
- Dental implants cannot get cavities
We pride ourselves in having educated, knowledgeable patients. That is why it comes as little surprise to us that when people from Southern Ocean County visit, many are quick to ask about dental implants.
Because the bottom line is that dental implants work better than the other options.
It may only be December, but for those of us living and working in Barnegat, Manahawkin, Lacey/Forked River, and other shore communities in Southern Ocean County, we are ALWAYS thinking about the beach. Whether for fishing, boating, or just relaxing, we love it!
The next time you’re at our amazing local beaches in Long Beach Island and the surrounding area, consider these tips from the Bayside team on how to make the most of your time in the sand and surf:
Plastic Bags Are Your Friend – Used sealable plastic storage bags to bring your electronics to the pool or beach, that way they are protected from the sand and water.
Take Baby Powder With You – Sprinkle some on your feet after you leave the beach and the sand will come right off! Your car will thank you for it.
Be Clever About Hiding Valuables – Everybody knows the usual spots (hiding your keys in your shoes, for instance). Get a little more clever than that in order to avoid theft at the beach. Remember, a thief only has a few moments to get to your stuff. Force them to take longer than they’d like.
Use Matching Beach Towels – Pack matching beach towels for the entire family. It will make your spot easier to see from a distance, and will allow you to more easily reserve chairs at the pool and other locations.
Plan For Some Down Time – It’s easy to get caught up in planning every part of your vacation, but be sure to plan some down time into each day. That little bit of flexibility can be a lifesaver, even if you only use it to wind down a bit before out to dinner.
Avoid The Jellyfish – The Jersey Shore doesn’t have big jellyfish problems, but once in a while there will be an unusual amount of then. Avoid swimming on those days. Their stings are more than a little unpleasant!
Understand Rip Tides – On days when the surf is a little stronger than usual, rip tides are a real danger. The best way to avoid a terrible accident is to understand how rip tides work. If you’re caught in one, don’t try to swim ashore! Instead, swim or allow yourself to drift parallel to the shore until the rip tide subsides. It’s the struggle to get ashore that causes tragedy, not the rip tide itself.
Don’t Bring Any Beach Toys – No need to up valuable space in your car by lugging beach toys down to the shore with you. They’re cheap and plentiful. You’ll be able to buy everything you need locally, and probably for only $20 or so.
Give Away Your New Beach Toys – On the flipside, save space in the car on the ride home, too, by giving away your beach toys to some other family. You’re only talking about $20 in goods, after all, and it’s all stuff that will probably rot in a closet somewhere. Why not make someone’s day better instead?
Have any other tips for people staying at the Jersey Shore near Manahawkin, Forked River, and the surrounding area? Let us know in the comments and share them with others!
You want whiter teeth. We all do. The confidence that comes with having a white, bright smile can be a huge part of living a happy life.
Modern teeth whitening treatments can help you get the glowing teeth you’ve always wanted, but if you want to keep that smile you’ll want to avoid eating or drinking too much of the following:
- Coffee – You had to know this would make the list. As much as many of us don’t like to hear it, coffee is one of the biggest culprits when it comes to staining your teeth. It may be the morning pick me up for half of America, but it’s also putting a damper on our bright smiles.
- Red Wine – Like coffee, red wine is a big favorite that can also wreak havoc with our teeth. It’s no surprise that so many red wine enthusiasts end up seeking a teeth whitening treatment, available to people in Barnegat, Manahawkin, Forked River and beyond. Long years of the good stuff is a great part of your social life, but a bad part of your dental life.
- Tea – Sorry, caffeine lovers, switching from coffee to tea will not cure your teeth staining blues. In fact, tea can be even more aggressive on your teeth than coffee. High in tannins and somewhat acidic, a lot of tea in your diet can be bad news for your teeth (and also, incidentally, for your kidneys). The good news is, black tea is the primary culprit. Switching to green, white and herbal teas can help.
- Cola – Your dentist in Ocean County has probably been telling you for years that soda is bad for your teeth. It’s something we all learned in childhood: all that sugar in soda will rot away your teeth. What they didn’t tell us is that cola can stain your teeth, too. The sugar, when couples with the dyes and coloring and other ingredients of cola, means you’ll be seeking a teeth whitening after a few years of regular cola consumption.
- Blueberries – Blueberries are a great part of your diet. High in antioxidants, they’re some of the very best fruits you can be eating – except, of course, when it comes to your teeth. Blueberries are especially high in tooth-staining colors, which is one of the reasons they were historically used in dyes. Blackberries, raspberries and other dark berries have similar qualities, but blueberries are by far the worst. Keep eating them – they’re good for you – just be sure to brush when you’re done.
- Tomato Sauce – Sorry, pasta lovers, but that great red sauce that is used in every other pasta dish you enjoy also has qualities that can contribute to stained teeth. The acidic nature of tomatoes coupled with their deep red color means that you may want to see your Ocean County dentist after long years of eating Italian food.
All of this may seem like bad news, but it’s not. Most of the above food and drinks have good health qualities (though you may want to skip the cola), and their staining effects can be reversed by modern teeth whitening treatments. Remember, consume them in moderation, practice good oral hygiene, and you can have a great smile your whole life long.
There are few things more important than our smile. It is a key factor in the first impression we give people. It tells others the kind of person we are, the mood we are in, and how we look at life.
Yet too many of us are afraid to embrace our smile. We are self-conscious. We don’t let our smile shine the way we should. Reasons we don’t smile as big and beautifully as we should include:
- Our teeth lose their shine with age
- We have crooked or misaligned teeth
- Years of coffee and alcohol have yellowed our teeth
- A lack of confidence
- We are miserable
The thing is, hiding your smile does you a great disservice. Your smile does more for you than you realize. In many ways, it can be your most alluring feature. Here are things your smile does for you:
- Makes you more attractive than makeup, according to a recent study
- Give people a good first impression of you
- Can brighten your own mood; the more you smile, the more you’ll want to smile
- Puts those around you in better spirits
- Boosts your confidence and self-esteem
- Gives your customers/clients the impression that you are offering great service
And that list only just begins to scratch the surface of how beneficial your smile can be for you. No matter your field, no matter your walk of life, no matter the nature of your social life, your smile is truly a BIG DEAL.
Knowing that, you’ll probably consider asking your dentist in Barnegat what they can do to help you improve your smile. It’s a good question!
The basics, of course, always apply:
- Brush at least twice daily
- Minimize your intake of coffee and soda
- Floss regularly
- Consider asking your dentist for a whitening treatment
But what if you already do these things? What if your issues with your smile are much bigger than something a little brushing could solve? Then you might consider some cosmetic dentistry. Cosmetic procedures are easy, affordable, and can do amazing things for your appearance.
Here are some of the basic procedures to know about:
Veneers – Typically made or porcelain, these are shaped to conform to your teeth and then placed over them, allowing you to restore perfect whiteness while also addressing minor straightening and “snaggletooth” issues.
Whitening – Simple, safe, fast and effective, in-office whitening treatments can greatly enhance your smile at little cost.
Composites & Implants – Intended for those who have lost teeth, this is a way to fill gaps in your mouth with a natural look. They are also used for those with unsightly dark fillings.
Straightening – One of the oldest and most common cosmetic dentistry procedures, this process is a method to (you guessed it) straighten your teeth. There are several ways to accomplish this, depending on your needs.
If any of these options sound right for you, contact a dentist serving Barnegat, Manahawkin, and Forked River today for more details!