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How to deal with a chipped tooth

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How to deal with a chipped tooth

Posted on: May 29th, 2024 by admin

It’s an unfortunate side effect of life, but chipping a tooth is something we all have to deal with at times. Whether you or your child has experienced a minor mishap resulting in a broken or chipped tooth, don’t panic! This article will walk you through the steps of what to do when this unfortunate situation occurs. We’ll discuss what actions are recommended and how to ensure that your smile gets back to its original state as soon as possible.

First, it’s important to assess the damage. Are there any large pieces missing or is the chip small and contained? Is the fracture a simple surface fracture or one that has penetrated deeper into the tooth? While you can’t tell for certain just how deep it goes, it’s important to note how long it is and how much has been chipped away.

Next, rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area. This will help prevent infection as well as reduce any swelling or pain. Take pain relief medication if necessary and avoid chewing with that tooth until you can get it fixed.

The best thing to do next is to contact a dentist as soon as possible. They are trained to handle situations like this and will be able to provide you with the best course of action. The dentist may be able to repair the tooth in one appointment, or they may need to place a temporary crown over it while they perform further repairs.

If you’re unable to get to your dentist near Forked River right away, there are a few things you can do to protect the tooth in the meantime. Avoid eating hard foods or anything that could cause further damage. You may also be able to apply a DIY dental repair kit with resin and other materials that can help build up the surface of your chipped tooth until you can get it fixed professionally.

By following these steps, you can be sure that your smile is taken care of and will soon look as good as new! Be sure to contact a trusted and knowledgeable dentist with any questions or concerns you may have. They will be able to help you restore your tooth to its original condition in no time. Good luck!

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The Ultimate Guide to Tooth Enamel: What It Is, Its Importance, and How to Maintain It

Posted on: April 10th, 2024 by admin

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!

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A Comprehensive Guide to Caring for Your Teeth and Gums

Posted on: August 30th, 2023 by admin

Taking care of your teeth and gums is a critical part of maintaining healthy overall wellbeing. Without good dental hygiene, you can be vulnerable to a range of issues including cavities, tooth decay, gum disease and more. This comprehensive guide will explain the various parts of your teeth and gums, how they work together, common problems that arise and how to best practice good oral health. With just a few simple steps you can ensure your teeth and gums stay strong and healthy for years to come – start tending to your oral health today with this guide!

Your teeth and gums are comprised of very important structures that protect your mouth from infection and decay. The first line of defense for the body is the outer layer of enamel on your teeth, which makes up the strong protective shell around each tooth. In addition to this, your gums contain connective tissue that helps to hold your teeth in place and creates a barrier against infections. Each of these structures are incredibly important, and it is critical that they remain in good health to ensure your overall wellbeing.

Daily dental hygiene is an essential part of maintaining healthy teeth and gums. You should brush your teeth at least twice each day with fluoride toothpaste for two minutes, focusing on the back molars which tend to be more prone to plaque buildup. Flossing is also important as it helps remove debris, bacteria and plaque from between the teeth and along the gum line. Using a tongue scraper or mouthwash can further help keep your mouth clean by reducing bacteria growth.

In addition to daily dental hygiene, regular checkups with your dentist are necessary in order to address any problems that may arise. Your dentist can check for cavities and gum disease, as well as provide guidance on how to best practice good oral health. They may also recommend certain treatments such as fillings, root canals or crowns to address any issues that have already occurred.

Ultimately, taking care of your teeth and gums is an important part of overall health and wellbeing. By following these simple steps, you can ensure that your mouth remains healthy and strong for years to come.

Finally, here are some tips to keep in mind:

  • – Brush and floss your teeth every day.
  • – Use a tongue scraper or mouthwash to reduce bacteria growth in the mouth.
  • – Visit your dentist on a regular basis for checkups and any necessary treatments.
  • – Avoid smoking, as it can damage gum tissue and increase your risk of developing oral cancer.
  • – Eat a balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

 

By following these tips, you can ensure that your mouth remains healthy and strong for years to come.

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5 Ways to Whiten Your Teeth at Home (and Why You Shouldn’t)

Posted on: August 24th, 2022 by admin

It’s no secret that Americans are obsessed with white teeth. The brighter and whiter, the better! And because of this obsession, many people turn to home remedies to whiten their teeth. However, there are several reasons why you should avoid doing this and instead have your dentist whiten your teeth for you. In this blog post, we will discuss 5 ways to whiten your teeth at home (and why you shouldn’t).

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If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to whiten your teeth, baking soda is one option. You can make a paste by mixing baking soda with water and brushing it onto your teeth. Some people also swear by using lemon juice as a natural bleaching agent. However, both of these methods are actually very abrasive and can damage the enamel on your teeth.

Another popular home remedy is using hydrogen peroxide. This method involves swishing hydrogen peroxide around in your mouth for several minutes before spitting it out. While this may sound like an effective way to whiten your teeth, hydrogen peroxide is actually very corrosive and can damage your gums and tooth enamel.

Perhaps the most common home remedy for whitening teeth is using whitening strips. These strips are designed to adhere to your teeth and Whiten them over time. However, many people find that these strips are very uncomfortable and can cause gum irritation. Additionally, they are not always effective at actually Whitening your teeth.

If you’re looking for a more natural way to Whiten your teeth, there are a few options available. You can try using coconut oil or apple cider vinegar as a mouthwash. Additionally, you can rub the inside of a banana peel on your teeth for about two minutes per day. While these methods may be more gentle than some of the other options, they are not necessarily any more effective.

The bottom line is that home remedies for whitening your teeth are not always the best option. Not only are they often ineffective, but they can also be very damaging to your teeth and gums. If you’re looking for a safe and effective way to Whiten your teeth, we recommend that you visit your dentist for a professional whitening treatment.

When it comes to Whitening your teeth, it’s important to understand that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. The best way to achieve brighter, whiter teeth will vary depending on the individual.

If you are looking for a safe and effective way to achieve brighter teeth, we recommend that you visit your dentist for professional teeth whitening. Professional teeth whitening is the only way to guarantee whiter teeth, and it’s also much safer for your overall oral health. Contact our dental office in Barnegat today to schedule an appointment!

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What You Need to Know About Teeth Whitening

Posted on: June 9th, 2020 by admin

If it seems like you are hearing more and more about teeth whitening, you are probably right. Improvements in cosmetic dentistry have made it easier than ever to whiten and brighten your smile. You might even be thinking about a visit to your dentist so you can enjoy an affordable teeth whitening treatment.

With that in mind, here’s everything you need to know about modern teeth whitening:

How It Works

These days, tooth whitening treatments use a peroxide-based bleaching technique that assists with bleaching out staining and discoloration. Remember that the treatments will have no impact on porcelain crowns or composite tooth-colored bondings.

Source: https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-wearing-white-turtle-neck-sweater-709802/

At-Home Options

Not every dentist near Manahawkin dentist will tell you this, but it’s good information to have: there are at-home whitening treatments available, and some of them are available over the counter. The price can range from extremely low to about equal to an in-office visit. It usually takes much longer to get results, and the results are usually not as dramatic as a professional treatment.

If you are considering at-home whitening, your choices include:

  • Strips & Gels – Apply these twice a day for up to two weeks. When you use this cost-effective solution, expect modest results
  • Bleaching Trays – A tray not unlike a mouth guard is filled with gel or a solution. This tray is worn in the mouth for several hours a day. Treatment can last up to four weeks. The results can be good, but the cost is generally similar to professional treatments.
  • Whitening Toothpastes – You won’t see dramatic results from a whitening toothpaste. At best, they can brighten your teeth by about one shade. By contrast, you can get up to eight shades of brightness from professional treatments. However, one benefit is that whitening toothpastes are easy to incorporate into your life.

In-Office Treatments

A visit to your dental office near Manahawkin is going to end up giving you better whitening results than anything you can do at home, and you’ll get those results much faster. Dentists are able to use much stronger solutions than you can purchase over the counter, and the methods they use with in-office treatments can get results quicker. Some important things to know include:

  • Stronger – In-office whitening treatments can be up to 10 times more effective than over the counter treatments!
  • Faster – At-home whitening usually takes anywhere from two to four weeks and may result in a few shades of whiteness. In-office treatments usually take less than an hour per session, and only a few sessions are needed for up to eight shades of improvement.
  • Better Results – As mentioned, at most at-home treatments can increase your tooth whiteness by a few shades. In-office treatments can get you up to eight shades of improvement.

When you sum it all up, you have many treatment options available to you from your Southern Ocean County dentist. Before deciding on one, it’s a good idea to consult with your dentist to be sure the treatment is right for you. Not all mouths are made the same, after all!

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6 Common Dental Procedures You Should NOT Be Afraid Of!

Posted on: April 21st, 2020 by admin

Over the years, your Barnegat dentist has done and seen it all. You name the procedure and they have probably done it. There are, however, a few that stand out as far more common than others. Here are the 6 procedures we find ourselves doing more than any other:

1) Fillings

One of the most common dental procedures is also one of the easiest: getting fillings. This is nothing more than using restorative materials to repair damage to your teeth, usually cavities. In addition to filling holes left by tooth decay, aka cavities, these materials might be used to repair chipping, cracks, and other tooth damage. The resins used are colored to match your teeth, giving you a natural look that blends in seamlessly with your existing teeth.

2) Caps or Crowns

Dental crowns or caps are covers usually made of porcelain that go over or around existing teeth. These procedures are usually performed to help repair the appearance of broken or cracked teeth. These crowns not only improve the appearance of teeth that have been chipped in accidents and other events, they also help strengthen what is left of the teeth.

 

3) Tooth Whitening

More common than ever these days, the professional tooth whitening offered by your dentist in Ocean County is a cut about over-the-counter solutions. Using one of several types of treatments, your teeth can be whitened by several shades, reversing the damage done by years of coffee drinking, juice, smoking, and other ways to stain your teeth. Even better? The procedure is fast, easy and affordable.

4) Bridges and Implants

When teeth are missing or removed, it’s usually a good idea to replace them in some way. This is not just for the sake of appearance, but to protect your gums and to make eating easier. One of the most common ways of doing this is with a bridge, sometimes called dentures. These are false teeth with crowns used to fill in gaps in your mouth. Another is through the use of implants, metal posts that are placed in your mouth to serve as anchors for false teeth. In both cases, technology used by dentists near Manahawkin has come so far that you’ll never notice the difference.

5) Root Canals

Also known as Endodontics, root canals are a procedure often talked about with fear, but that doesn’t have to be the case. Modern advances in how these procedures are done have made them far less uncomfortable than in the past. Root canals are the removal of the pulpy, thread-like tissue in the center of the tooth. This is done when decay had advanced far enough so that it might cause infection inside the tooth. Root canals can save teeth from being extracted, but more importantly, they can prevent the formation of abscesses, buildups of pus that can destroy tissue and cause extreme pain – and sometimes worse.

6) Extractions

This one is pretty self-explanatory. An extraction is when a tooth is removed. These procedures may be done for a myriad of reasons, whether the tooth is damaged, decay has progressed too far, unwanted extra teeth are coming in, and more. In most cases, extractions are relatively easy procedures that any experienced dentist near Forked River can perform.

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6 Simple Ways To Get Over Your Fear of the Dentist

Posted on: September 18th, 2019 by admin

Fear of the dentist is such a common fear it’s practically a movie cliché at this point. It has featured in sitcoms (Seinfeld’s hilarious dentist, Tim Whatley was played by Breaking Bad’s Bryan Cranston, and he was a very scary dentist) and in movies. There have been entire books written on the subject, and the reason is simple: It’s a fear that many people share.

Thankfully, it doesn’t have to be that way. It’s very possible to overcome your fear of visiting the dentist near Manahawkin – and that’s a good thing, because overcoming that fear will let you get the care you need in order to maintain good oral health!

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Here’s how to get over your fear of the dentist:

  1. Understand That Your Fears Are Normal

    – You’re not alone in being frightened of going to the dentist. Peter Milgrom, the director of the Dental Fears Research Clinic at the University of Washington, claims that upwards of 20 percent of U.S. citizens only go to the dentist when it is absolutely necessary to go. They avoid visits at other times due to fear. Up to 8 percent of people don’t go at ALL, with their decision also based in fear. When you understand that it’s normal to feel this way, it will be a good first step towards overcoming those fears.

  1. Get To Know Your Dentist As A Human Being

    – When you visit a dentist near Manahawkin, be sure you try to see them as a person, not as a clinical medical person in scrubs. Chat with them and get to know them. When you recognize that they are someone just like you, with interesting hobbies and families, you will help ease your anxiety.

  1. Book A Few Low-Pressure Appointments –

    Going to the dentist for a simple check-up is a great, low-stress way to get yourself comfortable with dental office visits. Even if you know you’re going to need dental work done, that doesn’t mean you have to get it done right away. Have a low key visit to your Ocean County dental office, get comfortable, , and relax. That will make future visits MUCH easier.

  1. Ask Your Dentist To Educate You

    – A good Ocean County dentist will talk to you before, during and after your appointment. Use this time to ease your fears. Have them tell you exactly what they are doing and how they’re doing it, and have them clarify why they’re doing it, too. Keep in mind, knowledge is power. When you have a better understanding of the process, you will then be more comfortable with it.

  1. Bring A Stress Reliever

    – Stress relief items like smooshy rubber balls can be helpful, so feel free to bring one with you. Your Barnegat dentist will understand! A major part of their job is to help make you comfortable. They want you to be at ease, so if it will help, bring it!

  1. Bring A Friend With You

    – Few things help us face our fears as the buddy system. If you are going in for a dental procedure that makes you a little nervous, ask a friend to come along on your appointment. They can give you the moral support that you’ll need to help get you get through your visit!

Trust us, your dentist wants you to be as relaxed as you can be, so follow this advice to ease your stress levels. Before you know it your dentist visits will feel routine!

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