Many people experience dental problems in their lifetime, ranging from simple cavities to complex dental issues such as missing teeth. This is where dental implants come in. A dental implant is a surgical procedure that involves replacing missing teeth. It involves the placement of a metal post that acts as a tooth root, onto which a custom-made replacement tooth is affixed. Dental implants offer a permanent solution to missing teeth and provide numerous benefits. Let’s delve into everything you need to know about dental implants.
-
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are artificial teeth that replace missing teeth. They are a long-lasting solution that involves surgically implanting a metal post into the jawbone, onto which a tooth or set of teeth is attached. Dental Implants are designed to look, feel, and function like natural teeth, making them the best option for those with missing teeth. Implants can be fitted with different tooth options, such as porcelain crowns, bridges, and dentures.
-
Why are Dental Implants Needed?
There are many reasons why dental implants are needed. Dental implants are a solution for missing teeth that can be caused by an accident, injury, or decay. When a tooth is missing, it can cause issues with the surrounding teeth, such as shifting and movement, causing problems in chewing and speaking. Dental implants provide a stable base for existing teeth, preventing further decay and loss. Implants help maintain good oral health, making them an excellent solution for people suffering from missing teeth.
-
The Dental Implant Procedure
The dental implant procedure requires an initial consultation, where the dentist will conduct a thorough examination of your teeth and gums to assess your suitability for dental implants. The dentist will create a customized treatment plan that will detail the number of implants and the type of tooth replacement needed. The actual procedure involves the placement of the implant post into the jawbone, followed by a period of time for the bone to bond with the implant – a process known as osseointegration. This process can take several months. After the implant has healed, an abutment is attached to the implant, which is used to hold the custom-made replacement tooth or teeth in place. The tooth is then created to match the surrounding teeth, ensuring a seamless and natural look.
-
Dental Implant Benefits
Dental implants offer many benefits that make them the preferred solution for missing teeth. They not only restore your smile but also improve your overall oral health, speech, and chewing ability. Dental implants do not require extensive daily care; normal dental hygiene practices such as brushing and flossing will suffice. They offer long-lasting results, with options for removable and fixed implant solutions. They have a success rate of up to 98%, making them the best option for those seeking replacement teeth.
-
Cost of Dental Implants
One of the most significant factors patients consider when choosing dental implants is the cost. Dental implants can be expensive and typically are not covered by insurance. However, dental clinics offer various financing options and payment plans to make dental implants affordable. It’s essential to note that dental implants are a long-lasting solution, making them a sound investment in your overall oral health.
Dental implants serve many purposes and offer numerous benefits. They provide a permanent solution for missing teeth, support existing teeth and restore your smile. The dental implant procedure is a multi-step process, but with proper care, patients can expect natural, long-lasting results and improved oral health. If you’re considering dental implants, consult with an experienced dentist to learn more about the procedure and the benefits they provide.
Here’s what you’re not doing when you brush your teeth
We’ve all been told how important it is to brush our teeth—but with so many tips and techniques out there, it’s easy to wonder if you’re doing it the right way. In this article, we’ll break down the essentials of proper brushing, explore why it’s so crucial through facts and statistics, and explain what can happen if you skip it. Whether you’re maintaining your smile into your senior years or simply want to keep your teeth healthy, this guide is for you.
One of the most fundamental questions in oral care is: How often should you brush your teeth? According to the American Dental Association (ADA), the recommendation is to brush at least twice a day for two minutes each time. Brushing in the morning helps remove bacteria that accumulate overnight and prepares your mouth for the day, while brushing before bed clears away plaque, food particles, and bacteria that have built up throughout the day.
However, brushing effectively isn’t just about frequency—technique matters just as much. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Avoid brushing too hard; instead, apply light pressure and use gentle, circular motions. Be thorough—clean all surfaces of your teeth, including along the gum line and behind the molars. Don’t forget your tongue, either—it can harbor bacteria that contribute to bad breath.
Why is proper brushing so important? Nearly half of U.S. adults suffer from some form of gum disease, with rates even higher among older adults. Poor oral hygiene is also linked to serious health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and cognitive decline, including dementia. Beyond physical health, neglecting your oral care can affect your self-confidence—bad breath and stained teeth can have a social impact.
If this seems overwhelming, know that support is available. Your dentist or dental hygienist can offer personalized advice and recommend products like floss, mouthwash, or interdental brushes to complement your routine. Additionally, there are many reputable online resources and videos that can guide you through proper brushing techniques.
Finally, it’s important to understand that brushing alone may not be sufficient in every case. Conditions like tartar buildup, gingivitis, or other periodontal concerns often require professional intervention. This is why routine dental check-ups are essential—they allow your dental team to identify and address issues early, helping you maintain long-term oral and overall health.
In the end, brushing your teeth may seem like a small thing – but it can have a major impact on your health and well-being. By following best practices for brushing technique and making regular dental check-ups a priority, you can help ensure that your smile stays bright and healthy for years to come. Remember – a little effort now means a lifetime of benefits.
Getting dental braces is a major decision, especially if you are an adult. While most teenagers get braces to align their teeth during their growing years, many adults are often skeptical about it. Dental braces are no longer an unpopular trend, in fact, they are a popular option that many people opt for to improve the overall look and feel of their teeth. In this article, we’ll discuss in detail the benefits of getting dental braces, how they work and what you can expect if you opt for dental braces.
-
What are dental braces?
Dental braces are metallic or ceramic brackets that are bonded to the teeth with an adhesive, and connected to a wire that applies pressure to move the teeth into their correct position. Braces help improve dental hygiene by allowing easier access to clean teeth, reduce the risk of gum disease, prevent damages to teeth from malocclusion, and help solve speech problems, such as speaking with a lisp.
-
Benefits of dental braces
Dental braces offer numerous benefits such as improving overall oral hygiene, fixing crooked teeth, and gaining confidence with a beautiful smile. Crooked teeth can also cause discomfort and create issues with chewing and biting. Braces also help in preventing decay and enamel erosion caused by misaligned teeth. Once the braces are removed, people often notice a significant improvement in their overall appearance and self-esteem.
-
Type of Dental Braces
The three main types of dental braces are metal braces, ceramic braces, and lingual braces. Metal braces are made of stainless steel or titanium, making them more robust; they are also the most visible. Ceramic braces, on the other hand, are made from composite materials, making them more aesthetically pleasing compared to metal braces. Lingual braces are metal braces that are attached to the back of the teeth. They are virtually invisible but are more challenging to clean.
-
Procedure for getting dental braces
The first step to getting dental braces is to find an orthodontist. The orthodontist will conduct a comprehensive dental exam, which includes x-rays and study models to determine the best type of braces suitable for you. During the installation, the orthodontist bonds brackets onto the front surface of each tooth, connects them with a wire, and uses elastics to help move your teeth into the desired position. Depending on the level of treatment required, the procedure can take anywhere from 12 to 24 months.
-
Caring for dental braces
After getting braces, oral hygiene is critical. Brushing and flossing are essential to prevent plaque buildup and maintain healthy teeth and gums. Foods such as popcorn, gum, and hard candies should be avoided, as they can cause damage to braces. Orthodontists recommend that patients avoid eating sugary foods and excessive acidic beverages, as they can cause enamel erosion and cavities.
Getting dental braces is an excellent solution for those looking to improve their overall dental health and appearance. With various types of braces available, one should explore all the options, communicate any concerns with their dentist in Ocean County and make an informed decision. The process of getting braces might be uncomfortable, but the results will leave you with a winning smile and confidence that will take you places. Schedule an appointment with your orthodontist today and enjoy all the benefits that dental braces have to offer.
Teeth! We see them every day. We work with them every day. That’s no surprise, we’re dentists, after all!
Even so, they never cease to amaze us. We bet you’ll be amazed, too, when you read some of these incredible facts about your pearly whites:
- Surveys indicate that 50% of people say that someone’s smile is the first thing they notice.
- The hardest part of your body? Your tooth enamel.
- Some 80% of dental injuries sustained by children are to their front teeth.
- Consumers in the U.S. buy 14 million gallons of toothpaste every year.
- Over the course of your life, you will spend about 38 days brushing your
teeth. - Snails have about 25 teeth – and they are located on their tongue.
- Adult humans have 32 teeth. Babies, however, only have 20 teeth.
- A tooth that gets knocked out will start to die within 15 minutes.
- You can extend the life of a knocked out tooth by placing it in milk or holding it in your mouth. Remember that if you have to take an emergency trip to your Barnegat, NJ dentist!
- The amount of saliva you produce in a lifetime is enough to fill two swimming pools!
- Mosquitoes have teeth! Usually about 47 is all.
- So-called “milk teeth” begin to form in the womb, but don’t actually show until a child is six months to a year old.
- Some 25% of children won’t have seen a dentist before they enter kindergarten. That number is too low!
- Modern toothpaste has only been around for about 100 years.
- Think your fingerprints are unique? So are your tongue prints! No two are alike.
- In the past, people used charcoal ashes, chalk, lemon juice, and other concoctions to brush their teeth.
- Think kids eat more candy than adults? Think again. Adults consume about 65% of all the candy produced in the U.S.
- The most common childhood disease is none other than tooth decay.
- Brushing daily can reduce your chance of tooth decay by 25%.
- When you don’t floss, you miss cleaning up to 35% of your tooth’s surface area.
- Humans have two sets of teeth during their lifestyle. By contrast, sharks have about 40.
- Every year, students lose 51 million hours of school due to dental-related illness.
- What you think of as your teeth is only part of the story; one third of your teeth are located underneath your gums.
- You could add up all the people on Earth and it still wouldn’t add up to the amount of bacteria in your mouth RIGHT NOW!
- At the time of his inauguration, George Washington only had one real tooth!
Pretty amazing stuff, huh? As a dentist in Ocean County, NJ, it’s easy to see why we are so fascinated with your pearly whites. They are a lot more interesting than people realize!
Tooth enamel. You have probably heard your local dentist mention it a lot. Tooth enamel is the hard, outermost layer of your teeth that protects them from decay and damage. Despite being the strongest substance in your body, enamel can become eroded due to factors like poor dental hygiene, acidic foods, and excessive alcohol, tobacco, or drug use. When enamel wears down, it can lead to sensitivity, toothache, and infection. But with proper care and attention, you can strengthen your tooth enamel and maintain good oral health.
What is Tooth Enamel?
Tooth enamel is a translucent, calcified substance that covers the top (crown) and sides (root) of your teeth. Made up of 96% minerals such as calcium and phosphate, enamel is the hardest and most mineralized tissue in your body. Enamel is nonliving and cannot regenerate once it’s lost, which is why it’s essential to preserve it as much as possible.
The Role of Tooth Enamel in Your Health
The main roles of tooth enamel are to protect your teeth from damage, provide a smooth surface for chewing and biting, and give your teeth their white appearance. Enamel acts as a barrier against harmful bacteria, acid, and sugar that can cause cavities and decay. Healthy tooth enamel also helps maintain proper dental alignment and improves speech. Without enamel, your teeth become more vulnerable to decay and cavity formation.
Things That Are Good for Your Tooth Enamel
To maintain strong and healthy tooth enamel, you need to consume foods and drinks that are rich in minerals and nutrients like calcium, vitamin D, and phosphorus. Some examples include dairy products, leafy greens, nuts, and fish. Drinking plenty of water can also help wash away harmful bacteria and acid from your mouth. Furthermore, incorporating fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash into your oral hygiene routine can strengthen your tooth enamel and prevent decay.
Things That Are Bad for Your Tooth Enamel
Certain habits and substances can weaken and erode your tooth enamel over time. Avoid consuming too many sugary or acidic foods and drinks, such as soda, sweets, citrus fruits, and sports drinks. Limit your alcohol, tobacco, and drug use, as these can all contribute to tooth decay and wear. Additionally, don’t brush your teeth too hard or with insufficient fluoride toothpaste, as this can also wear down your enamel.
How to Maintain Healthy Tooth Enamel
Regular dental checkups and cleanings are crucial for maintaining healthy tooth enamel and preventing decay and infection. Brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day and use fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash as needed. Be aware of any tooth sensitivity or discomfort, as this may be a sign of enamel erosion. Your dentist may recommend treatments like sealants, fluoride varnish, or fillings to protect and restore your enamel. By maintaining good oral hygiene and healthy lifestyle habits, you can keep your tooth enamel strong and healthy.
Tooth enamel plays a vital role in your oral health and overall wellbeing. It’s essential to take steps to preserve and strengthen your enamel, including consuming a nutritious diet, avoiding harmful substances, and practicing good oral hygiene. Don’t ignore any signs of enamel erosion or decay, as early detection and treatment can prevent further damage and improve your dental health. By taking care of your tooth enamel, you can enjoy a healthy and beautiful smile for years to come.
For more tips, be sure to visit your local dentist in Ocean County, NJ on a regular basis!
Look, we understand. A lot of people just don’t like to floss. In fact, up to half of all Americans don’t floss as often as they should.
But since flossing helps protect you from oral infections, bad breath, gum disease and more, this is really not a good thing!
Take a look at these 10 things you may not know about flossing and perhaps you’ll change your mind about this all-important hygiene habit.
- Some dentists in Southern Ocean County recommend flossing before you brush, not after, to help the fluoride from your toothpaste get between your teeth. However, this advice is not universal. There remains debate over whether or not this actually has any impact. Most dentists agree, though, that the most important thing is that you floss in the first place.
- If your gums bleed when you floss, you may be flossing improperly or at irregular intervals. Flossing on a regular basis with a good technique is essential.
- If you are not using clean floss for each tooth, you risk transferring bacteria around your mouth!
- Floss comes in flavors. You can find all the expected stuff – mint flavors, fruit flavors – and even bacon!
- If you have bridgework or wider spaces between your teeth, it may be best to use wide floss, also known as dental tape. This will give better coverage and ensure they remain cleaner and healthier.
- If you have closely spaced teeth, consider using waxed floss. This can be easier to slide between your teeth.
- Listen for the squeaking sound. You can hear when unwaxed floss is moving against clean teeth. This tells you that plaque has been removed.
- According to the American Dental Association, only about 50% of Americans floss daily, and 18% don’t floss at ALL.
- 27 percent of people LIE about how often they floss!
- If using floss feels weird to you, ask your Barnegat dental hygienist about other options. There are products that can provide the same sort of cleaning, including rubber-tips cleaners, pre-threaded flossers, tiny brushes, and more.
If you want to learn more about the importance of flossing, good flossing techniques, and how we can help, reach out to us at 609-698-1155 to set up an appointment with our hygienist, or contact us on Facebook.
Teeth! We see them every day. We work with them every day. That’s no surprise, we’re dentists, after all!
Even so, they never cease to amaze us. We bet you’ll be amazed, too, when you read some of these incredible facts about your pearly whites:
- Surveys indicate that 50% of people say that someone’s smile is the first thing they notice.
- The hardest part of your body? Your tooth enamel.
- Some 80% of dental injuries sustained by children are to their front teeth.
- Consumers in the U.S. buy 14 million gallons of toothpaste every year.
- Over the course of your life, you will spend about 38 days brushing your teeth.
- Snails have about 25 teeth – and they are located on their tongue.
- Adult humans have 32 teeth. Babies, however, only have 20 teeth.
- A tooth that gets knocked out will start to die within 15 minutes.
- You can extend the life of a knocked out tooth by placing it in milk or holding it in your mouth. Remember that if you have to take an emergency trip to your Barnegat, NJ dentist!
- The amount of saliva you produce in a lifetime is enough to fill two swimming pools!
- Mosquitoes have teeth! Usually about 47 is all.
- So-called “milk teeth” begin to form in the womb, but don’t actually show until a child is six months to a year old.
- Some 25% of children won’t have seen a dentist before they enter kindergarten. That number is too low!
- Modern toothpaste has only been around for about 100 years.
- Think your fingerprints are unique? So are your tongue prints! No two are alike.
- In the past, people used charcoal ashes, chalk, lemon juice, and other concoctions to brush their teeth.
- Think kids eat more candy than adults? Think again. Adults consume about 65% of all the candy produced in the U.S.
- The most common childhood disease is none other than tooth decay.
- Brushing daily can reduce your chance of tooth decay by 25%.
- When you don’t floss, you miss cleaning up to 35% of your tooth’s surface area.
- Humans have two sets of teeth during their lifestyle. By contrast, sharks have about 40.
- Every year, students lose 51 million hours of school due to dental-related illness.
- What you think of as your teeth is only part of the story; one third of your teeth are located underneath your gums.
- You could add up all the people on Earth and it still wouldn’t add up to the amount of bacteria in your mouth RIGHT NOW!
- At the time of his inauguration, George Washington only had one real tooth!
Pretty amazing stuff, huh? As a dentist in Ocean County, NJ, it’s easy to see why we are so fascinated with your pearly whites. They are a lot more interesting than people realize!
It’s easy to put off a dentist appointment, especially if you’re feeling healthy. But did you know that skipping your checkup could actually lead to bigger problems down the road? Here are 5 reasons why it’s important to see your dentist near Manahawkin on a regular basis:
1. Prevention
Visiting the dentist regularly is the best way to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Regular checkups can help catch any issues early, allowing your dentist to provide quick treatment before they become more serious.
2. Early Detection
Seeing your dentist every six months gives them the opportunity to detect signs of oral cancer, an often fatal but treatable condition that’s usually found in its early stages through regular dental exams.
3. Healthy Teeth & Gums
Regular cleanings remove tartar buildup and unhealthy bacteria from teeth and gums that can lead to cavities and gum disease—so if you want a healthy smile, don’t skip your checkup!
4. Save Money
Treating an issue when it’s minor often costs much less than waiting until it becomes more severe. Your dentist can help you address smaller problems before they become expensive to repair.
5. Overall Health
Oral health is closely linked to overall health, so regularly visiting your dentist helps keep your whole body healthy. Research suggests that oral health can even be a predictor of some serious conditions like heart disease and stroke.
Seeing your dentist near Manahawkin twice a year is an important part of maintaining good oral health—so don’t skip out on this important checkup! Schedule an appointment today and reap the benefits of a healthy mouth!
We all have mouths – life would be hard without one – and we all need to take care of them. The thing about oral health is that it’s a diverse area. Some dental problems are minor and some can be simply devastating. What sort of problems? Read along as we count down the five most common dental problems in America and to see just what is making people (and their teeth) suffer out there:
5) Mouth Sores
There are many different types of mouth sores. Among the most common are canker sores, fever blisters, cold sores and ulcers. All of them can be terribly bothersome. The good news is, most mouth sores are never much more than a nuisance. They go away after a few weeks at most. Once in a while one can point to a bigger problem, so if a mouth sore lasts for more than two weeks be sure to see your dentist near Manahawkin. However, in most cases these are pretty low on the priority list of oral health problems to be concerned about.
4) Oral Cancer
Many other types of cancer get a lot more spotlight, but the truth is, some 300,000 new cases of oral cancer are diagnosed each year. In fact, at any given time millions are affected by it. Like all types of cancer, it can be deadly if left untreated. It can also lead to severe damage to the mouth, lips and throat. The good news is that oral cancer is highly treatable if caught early – and the best way to catch it early is with regular visits to your dentist.
3) Gum Disease
Also known as periodontal disease, gum disease is when your gums become infected. This can start with simple gingivitis, but when gum disease progresses it can lead to tooth loss. In fact, gum disease is cited as the biggest cause of tooth loss among adults in America. The best way to combat this malady is by following the daily oral health routine suggested by your dentist near Manahawkin.
2) Cavities
Cavities, also known as tooth decay, is not just one of the most common oral health problems in the country, it’s actually one of the most common health problems overall, affecting about as many people as the common cold. Brushing twice a day, flossing, and watching what you eat are your best defenses against this common problem. Tooth decay is caused when plaque buildup and sugars combine to eat away at your tooth enamel and the teeth themselves. This is a problem where prevention is the best approach, because once it progresses too far there is no reversing it. It will take major dentistry to fix the issue.
1) Bad Breath
There is no oral health problem more common than bad breath, also known as halitosis. Bad breath can be caused by many things, but in the majority of cases – more than 4 out of 5 cases, in fact – a simple dental condition is to blame. They can include dry mouth, cavities, gum disease, bacteria on the tongue and others. All of these can all be causes of bad breath. If you have persistent bad breath, you should visit your dental office, because mouth wash only covers the problem, it doesn’t cure it.
If you’re like most people, you’ll invent a host of reasons to avoid seeing your dentist. Don’t worry, we’re not insulted. We’re used to it by now!
But the fact of the matter is, if you begin to experience one of these five conditions, you really need to see your Barnegat dentist as soon as possible. It may help you avoid a lot of misery down the road!
Toothache
A toothache is nothing to take lightly. The pain you’re experiencing is a sign that something is wrong. You may feel as if you can tolerate the pain or that you can “tough it out,” but letting a toothache go unaddressed is asking for trouble. Whatever the cause of your pain, your condition could worsen. In a worst case scenario, you could even end up losing the tooth. Better to address it early, when there’s a good possibility the issue can be fixed with minimal fuss.
Chronic Bad Breath
Everyone gets bad breath every now and then. It’s common and can be easily triggered by the things we eat. A normal bout of bad breath is nothing to worry about. Chronic bad breath, on the other hand, is a sign of deeper problems that must be addressed. It may be “only” as serious as gum disease, which you’ll want to catch early to begin treatment. It can also be a sign of more serious issues than that. If you suffer from chronic bad breath, it’s important to have your dentist take a look as soon as possible so serious problems can be treated early.
Cracked or Chipped Teeth
One of the most common problems any dentist in Ocean County, NJ near Forked River will deal with are cracked and chipped teeth. The good news is that modern cosmetic dentistry is effective and affordable, with many options available to you. The bad news is, left unaddressed, some issues like this become more than a cosmetic issue. Cracked teeth can cause persistent pain and can lead to serious infections that may put your other teeth in danger, too. Even if you don’t mind how they look, at the very least you should have your dentist examine them to be sure your teeth are in no danger of future issues.
Jaw Pain
Pain in the jaw can come from a number of courses, including toothaches, sinus infections, and more. If you are feeling persistent jaw pain, have it examined by your Ocean County, NJ dentist near Manahawkin to determine the source of the problem. As with anything, the key to avoiding serious issues is to catch them early.
Bleeding Gums
If you experience bleeding gums during/after brushing, there may be an issue that needs addressing. In many cases bleeding gums are merely caused by improper brushing techniques. That is easy to fix. In other cases, however, they may be a sign of gingivitis or other underlying issues. As with all such issues, catching them early gives you the best chance of avoiding more serious complications.
If you experience any of these conditions and live in Barnegat, Forked River / Lacey, Manahawkin, or other areas of Southern Ocean County, call to make an appointment today!