May 28, 2024 | Blog
Regular dental care for children should be considered a part of life. Parents are advised to begin taking their kids to the dentist by age one, and establishing it as a lifelong habit. Visiting the dentist shouldn’t be an afterthought or only occur when problems arise; routine dental care must be a priority.
First checkup
When your child’s first birthday arrives, it’s time to schedule the first dental visit. Any erupted teeth will be examined for decay or other problems, and the dentist will teach you how to properly care for your child’s mouth. Your dentist will discuss issues like thumb sucking, bottles, and sippy cups so you will learn what may or may not hurt your child’s teeth.
Maintaining oral health
Continue taking your child to the dentist every six months, or more often if your dentist recommends it due to higher chance of tooth decay or other risks. Regular checkups involve cleaning teeth to remove cavity-causing plaque, fluoride application to strengthen teeth, and a thorough oral examination. If a cavity needs filling or other procedures are necessary, remember that even baby teeth can require dental work. Cavities may be painful, and healthy teeth contribute to proper eating, speaking, and oral development.
The right dentist
Finding the best dentist for your child goes a long way in making the appointments go well, and promoting a lifetime of comfort about dental visits. You may want to choose a pediatric dentist who specializes in children’s oral care. The offices are designed with kids in mind, and the staff is trained in calming nervous children. Ask if you can bring your child by the office prior to the dental visit to get accustomed to the environment, and plan on staying close to your child for comfort during the checkup. Have a positive attitude yourself about the dental experience, and your good vibes will rub off on your child.
Pediatric dentist in Marlton New Jersey
May 28, 2024 | Blog
Years of wear and tear on your teeth are not always kind to your smile, so that’s when cosmetic dentistry can save the day. This branch of dentistry provides a way to overcome problems with your smile that you dislike, giving you a look that you’ve always wanted. There are a variety of treatments available through cosmetic dentists.
Teeth whitening
A very popular cosmetic technique is teeth whitening or bleaching. Whitening stained teeth may be quickly accomplished using highly concentrated products at your dentist’s office, or at home with customized methods available under your dentist’s supervision. Either way, teeth whitening can boost your self-esteem and noticeably improve your smile.
Bonding
A simple and fast way to restore chipped, broken, stained, or decayed teeth is bonding. In a single trip to the dentist, tooth-colored composite resin material is placed on your damaged teeth and shaped to look natural and appealing. Even gaps between your teeth can be filled.
Veneers
Thin porcelain shells adhered to the fronts of your teeth are called veneers. They hide imperfections like chipped, crooked, stained, or uneven teeth. The process takes two to three visits to your dentist because the veneers are created in a separate dental lab. They are durable and stain resistant.
Inlays and onlays
Used for large cavities or cracks in your teeth, inlays and onlays are created in a dental lab and then glued to your teeth. This allows them to fit perfectly with no rough edges, and they match your natural teeth.
Composite fillings
Minor problems like chips all the way up to more serious issues like worn molars can be repaired with composite resin fillings. This organic material is used to restore decayed teeth or reshape damaged teeth, providing a natural and attractive appearance.
Cosmetic dentist in South Jersey
May 28, 2024 | Blog
Your dentist will want to take regular dental x-rays of your mouth, as these are used to show areas that are hidden from view. Dental x-rays help your dentist assess the condition of restorations such as crowns and bridges, and to check that any fillings are not leaking. They are able to show any tooth decay in between the teeth, and can be invaluable in diagnosing infections.
Some types of x-rays are more specialized and show the mouth in great detail, and these types of x-rays can be used to plan surgical procedures. Dental x-rays can be intraoral, meaning they are taken from inside the mouth, or they can be extraoral, meaning they are taken from outside the mouth. We have listed some of the most common types of dental x-rays below.
Intraoral Dental X-rays
Bite Wing X-Rays. These are taken to show the upper and lower teeth in one region of the mouth, right from the crown down to the level of the bone surrounding the tooth. They are useful for detecting tooth decay in between the teeth, for showing signs of gum disease, and for identifying crowns or fillings that are not fitting correctly.
Periapical X-Rays. These show the whole tooth, right from the crown of the tooth down to the tip of the roots. Each periapical x-ray will show all the teeth in one particular part of the mouth, and these are used to show if there are any abnormalities in the root of the tooth, and in the surrounding bone.
Extraoral Dental X-Rays
Panoramic X-Rays. These show the entire mouth, including all the upper and lower teeth in one single image. Panoramic x-rays are useful for showing teeth that might be impacted, or which are fully or partially emerged, and are also used to help diagnose tumors.
CT Scans. These show the mouth as a 3-D image, and are used to show fractures in the facial bones and to identify other problems such as tumors. They are commonly used for planning dental implant placement, or tricky tooth extractions.
Family and general dentist in Marlton NJ
May 28, 2024 | Blog
Everyone knows to regularly replace air filters and oil in the car, but most people don’t change out their toothbrushes often enough. Because toothbrushes can harbor bacteria that contribute to gingivitis and periodontitis, you should get a new toothbrush about every three months. Committing to this schedule may also improve your health as toothbrushes can hold the germs that lead to infections like strep throat or common colds.
In between replacements, you can keep your toothbrush clean by soaking it after use in an anti-microbial mouthwash for around 30 minutes. If you buy different color toothbrushes for each family member, consider placing them in the dishwasher several times a week to ward off bacteria. Don’t share toothbrushes, even with a spouse or family member, as this can spread illness and germs.
When you get sick, change your toothbrush two days after you begin antibiotics or as soon as you feel better if you have a viral infection. Replacing your toothbrush will decrease the chances of re-infecting yourself. Research has shown that organisms like the ones responsible for the herpes simplex virus and common yeast-like infections can live up to seven days on a toothbrush.
Throw out your toothbrush when the bristles begin to look worn. Once the bristles start to fray, they don’t effectively remove plaque, which can build up and form tartar on your teeth. Most dentists recommend getting a soft bristle toothbrush so that you don’t damage your teeth and gums when you brush.
Dental office in Marlton New Jersey
May 28, 2024 | Blog
Conservative estimates suggest that 69 percent of adults have lost at least one tooth. When you don’t replace missing teeth, remaining teeth can shift out of place. You also face additional tooth loss if you leave gaps in your smile. As well, your jawbone may deteriorate, impacting your facial shape and oral function. Dental implants provide permanent replacements for missing teeth.
What is a dental implant?
Constructed from biocompatible titanium, a dental implant is a small, metal post that functions as an artificial tooth root. An implant can replace one lost tooth, or several implants can be used to stabilize dentures.
Am I a candidate for implant therapy?
Your dentist will perform a complete evaluation to determine if dental implants are a good solution in your case. To support implants, you need to be in good oral health and have enough bone mass to hold the posts in place. If your dentist has concerns about bone tissue, he or she may recommend a bone graft before implant placement.
How successful are dental implants?
With proper care, implants have a 95 to 98 percent success rate. Treat your implants like your natural teeth, which means brushing, flossing, and seeing your dentist for routine checkups.
What happens during implant therapy?
First, a skilled specialist will surgically position the posts into your jawbone. After surgery, your mouth will need time to heal. During this part of the process, the bone fuses to the implants, creating artificial tooth roots. Your dentist will complete the final phase by attaching permanent crowns to each post, giving you an attractive, full smile.
Dental implants dentist in Marlton NJ
May 28, 2024 | Blog
The temporomandibular joint, shortened to TMJ, is the joint where the upper jaw and the lower jaw meet. It is located in front of each of your ears. The joints enable your jaw to move smoothly open and closed and from side to side. This allows you to chew, talk, and yawn. It is one of the most commonly used joints in your body, which also means that when there is something wrong with it, you’re sure to notice.
What causes TMJ problems?
It is unclear exactly what causes TMJ, but dentists believe that issues arise from problems with the jaw muscles or with the joint itself. Injuries like whiplash or a heavy blow can cause TMJ, but some of the other causes are a bit more subtle. These include teeth grinding or clinching, arthritis in the joint, dislocating the disc between the ball and socket, and stress.
What are the symptoms of TMJ?
There are many ways that TMJ presents itself, and not all patients have every symptom. Most commonly affecting people ages 20 to 40, TMJ pain can range from mild to severe, and symptoms may be temporary or last for years. The most common symptoms of TMJ include:
- Pain or tenderness in your face, jaw joint area, neck, shoulders, or ear
- Difficulty opening your mouth very wide
- Getting your jaws stuck in the open or closed position
- Popping, clicking, or grating sounds in your jaw joint when moving your mouth
- Feelings of fullness in your ear, or ringing in your ear
- Difficulty chewing
- Facial swelling
How is TMJ treated?
Treatments range from self-care techniques to appliances and even to surgery in severe cases. Most experts agree that conservative therapies should be tried first, with surgery as the last resort. Dentists also suggest that using several of the techniques in combination with one another may be helpful. Some treatments to try for TMJ problems are:
- Apply heat or ice packs.
- Eat soft foods.
- Take over-the-counter pain medications, or higher prescription doses prescribed by your dentist. Muscle relaxants and anti-anxiety medicines are also sometimes prescribed.
- Wear a splint or night guard, which are plastic mouthpieces that fit over your teeth to prevent you from clenching or grinding them.
- Avoid extreme jaw movements and chewing harsh items like gum or ice.
- Learn relaxation techniques to avoid muscle tension in your jaw.
TMJ dentist in Marlton NJ
