What Styles and Types of Toothbrushes for Best Oral Health?

Everyone knows that you should brush your teeth at least twice a day - and preferably after every time you eat - to help protect your teeth.  Leftover food, sugars, and bacteria all build up on your teeth, and if they're left in place, they'll start eating through the enamel on your teeth.  That's how cavities start.

However, one thing that isn't as widely known is which types of toothbrushes and toothpaste are best to use.  While there may be individual exceptions, these are the general recommendations dentists make when asked.

What Are The Best Types Of Toothbrush?

1 - Toothbrushes

Nearly all dentists agree that most people should be using soft-bristled toothbrushes.  Hard bristles can be too rough on your teeth, and it's also very easy for them to damage your gums - and bleeding gums create an opportunity for bacteria to get into your body.

Also, toothbrushes with smaller heads are preferred over large-headed brushes.  Smaller heads are easier to work with, and can get in between your teeth better.  Remember: use gentle circular motions, not back-and-forth, for most effective cleaning.

Otherwise, the exact shape, size, and length of the toothbrush will not matter.  Pick whichever style is most comfortable for you, and easiest for you to move around in your mouth.

As an alternative, electric toothbrushes are also an excellent option.  They're more expensive than standard toothbrushes, but they're typically more efficient at cleaning teeth than a regular manual toothbrush.  

Of course, home cleaning isn't going to be able to clean every surface on your teeth.  For that, you need a professional cleaning, which you should get at least once a year.  Contact your local dentist for an appointment!

What Styles and Types of Toothbrushes and Toothpaste for Best Oral Health?

Everyone knows that you should brush your teeth at least twice a day - and preferably after every time you eat - to help protect your teeth.  Leftover food, sugars, and bacteria all build up on your teeth, and if they're left in place, they'll start eating through the enamel on your teeth.  That's how cavities start.

However, one thing that isn't as widely known is which types of toothbrushes and toothpaste are best to use.  While there may be individual exceptions, these are the general recommendations dentists make when asked.

What Are The Best Types Of Toothbrush And Toothpaste?

1 - Toothbrushes

Nearly all dentists agree that most people should be using soft-bristled toothbrushes.  Hard bristles can be too rough on your teeth, and it's also very easy for them to damage your gums - and bleeding gums create an opportunity for bacteria to get into your body.

Also, toothbrushes with smaller heads are preferred over large-headed brushes.  Smaller heads are easier to work with, and can get in between your teeth better.  Remember: use gentle circular motions, not back-and-forth, for most effective cleaning.

Otherwise, the exact shape, size, and length of the toothbrush will not matter.  Pick whichever style is most comfortable for you, and easiest for you to move around in your mouth.

As an alternative, electric toothbrushes are also an excellent option.  They're more expensive than standard toothbrushes, but they're typically more efficient at cleaning teeth than a regular manual toothbrush.  

II. Toothpaste 

Toothpaste is even easier to recommend.  As long as the paste contains fluoride, there's really no other important criteria to consider.  Fluoride is a chemical which has been proven to help prevent cavities and strengthen teeth.  Other than that, all toothpastes are pretty much equal.

One note on the topic, though: the amount of flavor or the amount of foam the toothpaste produces will makes no difference to its effectiveness.  Toothpaste isn't like mouthwash; the burn doesn't mean it's working.  Burning just means that it uses a lot of mint oil for flavoring.  So if you find that your current toothpaste is too strong, don't feel like you need to stick with it.  Find one with a milder flavor and it will still work just as well, as long as it's fluoridated. 

Of course, home cleaning isn't going to be able to clean every surface on your teeth.  For that, you need a professional cleaning, which you should get at least once a year.  Contact your local dentist for an appointment!

Flossing Your Teeth is an Important Element for Your Oral Health

Flossing is an extremely important element of oral hygiene.  No other type of home oral care is capable of digging out all the little particles of food in between your teeth, and it's vital to prevent cavities from forming.

Unfortunately, when we explain this to people, sometimes they tell us "But flossing hurts!"  This is a genuine concern.  There are a variety of reasons that flossing may be uncomfortable, but it shouldn't be.  This isn't a reason to skip flossing; it's a reason to look into fixing the problem that causes flossing to hurt.

So let's look at possible causes.

X Reasons Flossing Might Hurt - And How To Avoid Them

1 - Inexperience

Proper flossing is a skill that takes a few tries to learn, and it's easy to mess up the first few times.  In particular, new flossers may be flossing too hard - pushing on their teeth - or else they may be hitting their gums and causing cuts.

Basically, go slow, and be gentle.  Never let the floss contact your gum line.  

You might also try different types of floss, such as using waxed floss rather than unwaxed.  In our opinion, unwaxed gives a slightly better clean, but using waxed floss is still much better than nothing.

2 - Existing dental problems

If flossing in between two particular teeth causes pain, but nowhere else, that's a big red flag that you probably have a cavity or infection growing on one of those teeth.

Likewise, if flossing only hurts as you get near the gum line, that's an indicator that you have some form of gum disease.

In either case, the solution is simply to go to your friendly local dentist and have the problem looked into.  If anything, this is a good thing - if the issue isn't immediately obvious, and only shows itself via flossing, it'll probably be easy enough to fix.

3 - Highly sensitive teeth

Some people just have very sensitive teeth.  In this case, flossing won't be the only thing that hurts - you'll likely have tooth pain from drinking especially hot and/or cold liquids, or even discomfort when chewing. 

This isn't so easy to deal with, but again, you should visit your local dentist and talk to them about the issue.  Even if you have sensitive teeth, they'll only get more sensitive if you allow plaque and bacteria to build up.

So, if you're having issues flossing, call Plainsboro Dental Care, 609-799-4422 for an appointment to look into the problem!

Is Flossing as Important as Brushing to Maintain Your Oral Health?

Are you flossing your teeth at least once a day?  If not, you're missing out on a critical part of oral health.

Brushing and using mouthwash are good, but flossing is the only type of oral care you can do at home which will get particles of food between your teeth.  If those spaces aren't cleaned, they become a haven for bacteria, leading to cavities or other oral diseases.

Unfortunately, too many people don't use floss, or weren't taught as children how to floss properly.  So, let's take a moment to correct that.

How To Floss Properly

1 - Take a length of floss approximately 16-18 inches long.  We recommend unwaxed floss, for the record.

2 - Wind it a few times around your middle fingers on both hands, so there's around 4 inches between them.  You want to have more floss on one finger than the other, so that you can 'unspool' a bit of floss after each tooth.

You want to use your middle fingers to anchor the floss so that your thumbs and forefingers can be used to position the floss.

3 - Relax your mouth and lips.  Flossing is harder if they're tense.

4 - Gently slide the floss between the first two teeth.  Go slowly, and use a back-and-forth motion if the gap is tight.  Don't push too hard, or else it could hit your gums and cause a cut.

5 - Once the floss is in place, you want to use up-and-down motions to scrape the inside of the teeth.  Most likely this will need two passes, one for each tooth's inner surface.  Use your thumbs or forefingers to push the floss against each tooth.

6 - If you're using unwaxed floss, you'll know it's clean if there's a very slight squeak when moving the floss.

7 - If the floss comes back slightly browned, that's good.  It means you are cleaning your teeth!  So now unspool another inch or so of floss from what's on your fingers, so that you can go at the next tooth with a clean section.  

8 - Repeat until you've flossed between all your teeth.  And don't forget the backside of your rear molars!  That's easy to overlook.

That's really all there is to it.  Once you get the hang of flossing, it should only take five minutes or so per day - and it will do so much to help your oral health!

Of course, don't forget regular dental checkups.  If it's been more than a year, contact Plainsboro Dental Care at 609-799-4422 for dental cleaning and exam.

The Importance of Healthy Gums for Your Oral Health and Teeth

Receding gums are a major health problem, but not enough people know it.  Typically, patients think that receding gums are simply an aesthetic issue, exposing 'too much' teeth, but the problem goes much deeper.  If you have receding gums, you're at risk of numerous dental problems.

Why Receding Gums Are Dangerous

Your gums are an important part of the overall structure of your mouth.  They act as a seal, preventing bacteria from reaching the lower parts of your teeth, or your jawbone. 

When your gums recede, they break that seal.  This creates pockets within your gums where bacteria can sneak in, and start to breed, where it can't be reached by normal types of oral hygiene.  Then this leads to tooth infections or gum infections that can even spread through your head, or the rest of your body.

What Causes Receding Gums?

There are numerous ways your gums may start to recede:

• Oral infections

• Brushing or flossing too hard and damaging the gums

• Neglecting oral hygiene and allowing plaque to build

• Hormonal changes as a person ages

• Use of tobacco products

• Lip or tongue piercings can damage the gums

• Genetic predisposition

You can help reduce the chance of receding gums with good oral hygiene, avoiding tobacco, and visiting your dentist regularly.  However, in some cases, it can still happen even if you maintain good oral health.

How Are Receding Gums Treated?

For basic cases, often a good professional tooth cleaning is all you need.  Once the plaque, tartar, and other gunk is cleaned off, the gums will be able to heal naturally and return to their proper position.

If you use tobacco, quitting will also encourage this to happen, since tobacco otherwise inhibits your immune system.

For more serious cases, surgery may be called for.  These procedures (performed under local anesthetic) can include:

• Flap scaling. Basically, the dentist detaches the gum from your teeth and stretches it upwards before reattaching it, to undo the damage.

• Regeneration. A special medical mesh is applied to the teeth below the gum line which is specifically designed to encourage natural gum regrowth.

• Tissue graft. In particularly bad cases, the dentist may need to take skin from other areas in your mouth (typically the soft palate, or ) and graft it onto the gums to rebuild them.

In short, if you have receding gums, this is a serious problem that needs to be corrected before it gets worse.  Contact Plainsboro Dental Care for an appointment!

5 Tips for Keeping your Gums Healthy

When talking about oral hygiene, it's easy to focus entirely on the teeth - but you can't neglect your gums, either!  Because the skin on your gums is quite thin, it's easily damaged, and can become a route to allow infections to spread from your mouth to other parts of your body.

Given that roughly 40% of Americans suffer from gum disease, this is a major problem.  Protecting your gums is important to your overall health, so keep these tips in mind to help maintain them.

Five Ways To Keep Your Gums Healthy

1 - Take it easy when you floss

People can get in a hurry when they floss, and floss too hard as a result.  This makes it easy to accidentally cut your gums as you go.  Take it slowly, and be gentle, to avoid any unnecessary damage.

Also, don't floss too often.  Once a day is all you need.  Doing it too often can also irritate your gums.

2 - Use an electric toothbrush

Electric toothbrushes are designed to be gentle, while still providing a superior cleaning when compared to regular brushes.  You'll be able to clean your teeth well, but without any risk of the toothbrush damaging your gums.

3 - Never use tobacco products

Any tobacco product will do damage to the gums over time, including thinning them, or causing them to recede.  Worse, nicotine inhibits your body's healing and immune systems, so any gum damage done will take longer to heal - and give more opportunities for infections to spread.

Yes, this includes vaping.  Nicotine in any form is bad for your gums, full stop.

4 - Use mouthwash regularly

Mouthwash is a critical part of oral hygiene that many people overlook.  Yes, it burns - but that burn comes from the mouthwash killing all the harmful bacteria in your mouth, which is something brushing and flossing can't do.  This will go a long way towards protecting your gums from infection, even if they have sores or cuts.

5 - Visit your dentist regularly

There's no good way for a person to fully examine the state of their own gums.  You need a dentist with the rights tools and training to make sure your gums are healthy and thriving.  You should have a check-up at least once a year, and twice a year is better.

If it's been more than a year since your last dental check-up, don't keep waiting - contact Plainsboro Dental Care for an appointment!  New patients are always welcome.

Does Biting your Cheeks Mean Problems for Your Teeth?

Dentists aren't only concerned with your teeth - they want to help maintain the health of your entire mouth.  So, they often notice problems that people might not even think about, such as patients who bite the insides of their cheeks a lot.

Everyone does it from time to time on accident, and the occasional bite isn't a problem.  However, if it's a chronic issue - or if the patient is doing it compulsively - this can actually cause real oral health problems!

Why Cheek-Biting May Be A Bigger Problem Than You Realize

While cheek-biting may seem harmless, in the long term, it can genuinely cause problems.  The skin on the inside of your cheeks is soft and easily damaged.  Any break in the skin can potentially allow bacteria to make its way from your mouth, into your bloodstream, and to other places in your body.

Beyond potentially spreading disease, frequent cheek bites may have difficulty healing properly.  This can lead to canker sores, ulsers, and other oral health problems.  

Types Of Cheek-Biting

There are a few different ways a cheek bite can happen.

1 - Occasional accidents

Like we mentioned above, everyone accidentally bites their cheek while chewing from time to time.  If it's infrequent, there's no danger, aside from the risk of continuing to bite on the same area.

2 - Frequent accidents

On the other hand, if you find yourself accidentally biting your cheek a lot - such as on a weekly basis - this may actually be an orthodontic problem.  If your teeth are mis-aligned, that can make it easier for them to slip out of position and chew on something they shouldn't.

Frequent accidental cheek-bites are a sign you should go to the dentist for X-Rays and analysis.

3 - Sleep biting

Occasionally, a person may bite their cheeks while asleep, especially if they already suffer from bruxism (teeth-grinding).  A dentist can give you a soft guard that prevents your teeth from biting while you sleep.

4 - Deliberate biting

Finally, there are some people who chew on their cheeks habitually.  Typically it's just a nervous behavior, although it can rarely be a sign of deliberate self-harm.  Or they might just be bored.

If you catch yourself doing this, try chewing sugar-free gum instead.

If you know you're biting your cheek a lot, and feel like you can't stop, contact Plainsboro Dental Care at 609-799-4422 for help.  They'll have resources to help you deal with the issue.

Bottled Water Vs Tap Water, Is there a Difference for Your Teeth?

Water is one of the single most important substances we put into our bodies.  We're constantly losing fluids as we go about our day, and drinking water is the best way to restore those fluids.  Experts recommend drinking around half a gallon of water per day, to maintain hydration and keep your body healthy.

But that raises the question: what type of water is best for your oral health?  Is there a difference between bottled water and tap water?  Let's take a look.

Bottled vs Tap Water And Your Oral Health

The primary difference between bottled water and tap water is that the bottled water has been filtered, and sometimes distilled, to remove impurities.  In many cases, bottled water is actually just tap water that's been run through a lot of filtration systems.

The issue is that these filters remove all the minerals and other extra content - and that's not always a good thing.  The human body needs trace amounts of a number of different minerals, which are typically found in water.  Stripping these out of bottled water will remove some of its health benefits.

Plus, there's another major factor: fluoride.  Fluoride is a mineral which has been long recognized as combating tooth decay.  Most places in the United States, as well as many cities around the world, add small amounts of fluoride to its tap water supply to help protect their citizens' teeth.  Over and over, this has been shown to greatly reduce cavities and other dental problems among people drinking fluoridated water.

Fluoride is also stripped out of bottled water, when it's filtered.

So, all things being equal, tap water is going to be better for your teeth than bottled water.  It contains minerals and fluoride which protect your teeth, and bottled water does not.

Of course, this does assume that you can trust your tap water to be safe.  This isn't true in all areas, and unfortunate incidents - such as in Flint, MI - show that tap water isn't always healthy.  Fortunately, water testing kits are cheap and easily available.  If you ever worry that your tap water might be unsafe, just test it for yourself and you'll know for sure.

Drinking tap water alone won't protect your teeth - you also need to brush and floss regularly, and see your friendly local dentist at least once a year for a checkup.  If you haven't had a professional cleaning recently, schedule an appointment to protect your smile.

TOP TEN Practices for Healthy Teeth

Teeth should be a priority for everyone!  Protecting your teeth will lead to a happier life, better self-esteem, and prevent a lot of avoidable health problems.

Follow these tips for teeth care, and you'll be on track to a better life and a great smile.

Top Ten Ways To Protect Your Teeth

1 - Brush after every meal

More than anything else, brushing regularly will go so far in protecting your teeth from bacteria and cavities.  Your breath will smell better too!

2 - Use a fluoride toothpaste

Fluoride has been proven, over and over, to help prevent cavities from forming.  This is especially important if you live in an area without fluoridated water.

3 - Brush thoroughly and properly

Running the brush back and forth over your teeth isn't enough.  A good tooth-brushing takes 1-2 minutes, and should involve gentle circular motions so the bristles get into every little crevace.

4 - Floss regularly

Brushing can't get all the bits of food in between your teeth, so flossing is a necessity.  If regular floss is too fiddly for you, just use the disposable picks.  They're just as effective.

5 - Brush or scrape your tongue

People often forget about their tongues, but they are an absolute haven for food remains and bacteria.  Brush your tongue, or use a scraper, to keep it clean. 

6 - Drink plenty of water

Drinking water is great for helping to flush out your mouth, and ensure it's properly moist.  Dry mouth actually encourages bacteria to breed, so keep drinking.

7 - Never use tobacco products

There are so many reasons to never use tobacco, but its impact on your oral health is one of the biggest.  Any kind of tobacco - even vaping - will directly damage your teeth, as well as encouraging oral cancers.

8 - Eat crunchy fruits and vegetables

Crunchy foods full of starch help scrub your teeth, as well as keeping your jaw muscles strong.  This is especially important for kids, as too many mushy foods can inhibit the development of their mouths.

9 - Drink staining drinks with a straw

Dark fruit or vegetable juices, wine, coffee, tea, and anything else with a strong color can quickly stain your teeth.  Using a straw might seem awkward, but it helps protect them.

10 - Visit your dentist regularly

No home oral hygiene routine can match a professional dental cleaning.  Get a check-up at least once a year to protect your mouth and your oral health.  If it's been more than that, call your friendly dentist at Plainsboro Dental Care 609-799-4422 for an appointment!

How to Care for Your Teeth as you Age

It would be great if our teeth could last forever, but unfortunately, that's just not the case.  Our teeth wear out, and as a person gets older, the chances of them having dental problems continues to grow.  In fact, roughly 2/3 of all people over 40 are even missing at least one permanent tooth.

Fortunately, dental problems can be delayed as you age, if you engage in good teeth care.  Here are some tips.

How To Protect Your Teeth As You Get Older

1 - Maintain your daily oral health routine

As you age, it becomes even more important to have a good teeth care routine.  Remember to always brush thoroughly at least twice a day, and floss at least once per day.  Vigilance will pay off!

2 - Invest in a good electric toothbrush

For older people who start having movement issues, arthritis, or similar problems, an electric toothbrush is truly worthwhile.  It makes brushing much easier, while still providing a good scrub.  Treat yourself, and buy a nice one.  The cheap ones break easily and may be too rough on your teeth and gums.

3 - If your bridges or dentures feel loose, see your dentist ASAP

Your mouth will change shape as you age, and this could cause your bridges or dentures to no longer fit properly.  If they start coming loose more often than they should, see your dentist about adjusting them to fit better.

4 - Don't smoke or use other tobacco products

There are so many reasons not to use tobacco, but the harm they can do to your mouth is one of the biggest.  All tobacco products (even vapes!) will directly damage your teeth, as well as increasing your chances of oral cancer.  Plus, tobacco inhibits your immune system, so any existing oral diseases will be harder to cure.

5 - Don't ignore dry mouth

Dry mouth is a common problem among older people, and it's not as harmless as it might seem.  You need saliva in your mouth to help prevent bacteria from settling on your teeth.  Sip more water during the day, or use sugar-free candies or gum to help keep the juices flowing.  You'll be more comfortable and help protect your teeth.

Plus, of course, be sure to continue seeing your dentist regularly!  Older people should get twice-yearly checkups to maintain their oral health.  If it's been more than six months, contact Plainsboro Dental Care at 609-799-4422 to schedule an appointment today.

Oral Health May Warn You of More Serious Health Concerns

There's more to teeth care than just protecting your mouth!

Many people don't know it, but oral health is actually linked closely to your overall body health.  There are many diseases which can show symptoms in the mouth early on, and other diseases which can spread from the mouth to other parts of the body.

This makes it all the more important to protect your teeth, and see your dentist regularly for checkups.  For example...

Body Diseases Linked To Oral Health

1 - Heart Disease

Endocarditis is an infection that attacks the inner lining of the heart, weakening its valves.  This typically begins as an infection in other parts of the body - like the mouth - that then spreads to the heart.

In addition, studies have shown a connection between oral infection and other heart problems such as clogged arteries, although the exact nature of the connection hasn't been pinned down yet.

2 - Diabetes

When a person has diabetes, they're more likely to develop diseases of the mouth, particularly of the gums.  In addition, the tendency of diabetics to eat candy or have small snacks throughout the day, to keep their blood sugar up, will also increase the chances of developing cavities.

If you have diabetes, be vigilant about brushing - or at least chew sugar-free gum after having a candy, to get the sugar out.

3 - Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia

It's also commonplace for people with dementia to have more oral health problems - and not just because they forget to brush.  Studies have found concrete links between oral diseases and a higher likelihood of developing dementia.

Again, the exact nature of the link isn't known yet, but this is a serious area of study among dementia specialists.

4 - Pregnancy and birth complications

Women, if you're pregnant, you need to keep seeing your dentist regularly for teeth care.  Oral infections can spread to the body and make their way past the placental barrier, potentially leading to complications such as premature birth or low birth rate.

5 - Osteoporosis

This degenerative bone disease often has roots in gum / jaw infections, or it can also make such conditions worse.  In rare cases, medicines used to treat osteoporosis can damage the jawbone.  Keep in close touch with your dentist if you're undergoing osteoporosis treatment.

In short, getting regular oral checkups isn't only good for teeth care - it can also help protect your entire body!  Call Plainsboro Dental Care at 609-799-4422 to schedule your appointment.

Teach your Children the Importance of Caring for their Teeth

Teach your Children the Importance of Caring for their Teeth

In a perfect world, everyone would be taught what they need to know about tooth/teeth care at a young age - but we know that's not the case.  Too many people never learned the fundamentals of oral hygiene, and it holds them back later in life.

Fortunately, it's never too late to start practicing good teeth care!  Here are some of the most important things to know.

I. Why do teeth decay?

Your teeth are primarily made of minerals, and have a layer of enamel on the outside which protects them from damage.  Unfortunately, the enamel is also vulnerable.  If food stays in your mouth, particularly sugars, it encourages bacteria to breed on your teeth. 

As those bacteria eat up the sugars on your teeth, they excrete acid.  This acid eats through the enamel, and then starts eating through the tooth minerals after that.  This is how cavities form.  Left untreated, the hole gets bigger, and eventually becomes infected, leading to numerous problems.

II. Proper brushing

Fortunately, a proper brushing can get rid of those bacteria and the leftover food that attracts them.  Good brushing technique is actually easy!

• Use a soft-bristled brush, so it doesn't harm your teeth or gums.

• Always brush holding the head at a 45 degree angle, rather than straight on. This makes it easier to get into all the little cracks and crevaces.

• Use a soft circular motion, not back-and-forth scrubbing.

• Brush your tongue too! Plenty of gunk will build up on it otherwise.

Also, try to avoid eating or drinking anything after you brush, for at least 30 minutes.  Otherwise it undoes the brushing.

III. How To Floss

Flossing is even easier.  Just pull out a length of the floss a few inches, and wrap both ends around your two index fingers.  Then gently insert it into the gap between two teeth and work it back and forth.

Be careful not to hit your gums, as it can damage them.  Bleeding gums are prone to infection.

IV. Things To Avoid

What are the most harmful things you can do to your teeth?

• Smoking, or use of any other oral tobacco products. And yes, even vaping is bad for your teeth.

• Sugary candy or sweet baked confections.

• Acidic sodas and colas.

• Coffee and tea.

• Dark juices and wines.

If you want to drink a beverage that stains the teeth, use a straw.  That helps the liquid bypass your teeth.

Plus, of course, always make sure to contact your local dentist for a check-up at least once a year!

Helpful Tips & Secrets to Keep your Smile Bright and White

Everyone wants a bright and shiny smile - and you can help protect your smile in a few easy ways!

As we go about our lives, there are a lot of ways our teeth can get stained.  Teeth whitening services are an option, but prevention is the better approach whenever possible.  A few minor changes to your lifestyle can prevent your teeth from getting stained, keeping them looking great for years to come.

Five Tips For Keeping Your Teeth White

1 - Avoid all nicotine products

Honestly, there's no good reason to use nicotine in any form.  It can cause so many health problems, and staining your teeth is far from the worst.  Just don't.

(And yes, even vaping can stain your teeth.)

2 - Practice good oral hygiene 

When it comes to protecting your teeth, the old standbys are still the best.  If you brush and floss regularly, you'll avoid numerous dental problems - including unnecessary stains.  Brush and floss at least twice a day, and preferably after every meal or snack.

3 - Drink staining liquids with a straw

There are a number of drinks which can quickly stain the teeth, including coffee, tea, dark sodas, bright fruit juices, or red wine.  We won't tell you to avoid all of these, but what you can do is drink with a straw.  This greatly reduces the time they spend touching your teeth, slowing down the staining process.

Sure, drinking wine through a straw might seem "wrong," but you'll be doing your teeth a big favor!

4 - Rinse your mouth after eating colorful foods

Pretty much any food with strong coloration can contribute to staining your teeth.  The brighter or more saturated the color, the more likely they are to stain.  Either way, simply rinsing your mouth out with water can go a long way to prevent staining, by removing these foods as quickly as possible.

Chewing sugar free gum is another good option here.

5 - Avoid at-home tooth whitening products

At-home teeth whitening products, particularly whitening toothpastes, are actually bad for your teeth.  They work in the short term, but they wear down your teeth's enamel, making them more vulnerable to stains or damage in the long run.

If your teeth are stained, it's best to visit a dentist for professional teeth whitening services.  They can whiten your teeth, quickly and affordably, without doing any damage.  Contact Plainsboro Dental Care at 609-799-4422 to learn more!

2022 is the Perfect Year to have the Smile that says “YOU”

Have you been neglecting your dental needs, due to the problems caused by the COVID outbreak, or other factors?  Do your dental issues cause you to feel depressed, isolated, or unattractive?  If so, you are not alone!  There are very real psychological issues associated with dental problems, and this is coming to be recognized as a genuine problem within the dental field.

The solution?  A new approach to dentistry is gaining traction in the field, called emotional dentistry.  Unlike basic cosmetic dentistry, which is solely focused on external appearances, emotional dentistry is concerned with the patient's mind and psychological well-being, as well as their dental health.  

2022 could be the year you fix your smile and your state of mind!

What Is Emotional Dentistry?

Numerous studies have shown that a person's self-image is often closely tied up to the quality of their teeth, or their smile.  Our society puts a big emphasis on having "good teeth," and those with dental problems face numerous problems in life.  People who are ashamed of their smile tend to be more depressed, withdrawn, and lack confidence in themselves.  It can negatively impact every area of their lives.

Emotional dentistry seeks to change this by giving people the smile, and the look, that they want.  It's not simply a matter of adding veneers or other cosmetic work.  An emotional dentist will work carefully with their patient to understand what that patient wants to look like, and what kind of smile would match the patient's self-image.

This is called morphopsychology: recognizing the link between a person's appearance, and their psychological state, and looking to bring both into harmony.

With the help of high-resolution pictures and computer graphics, it's now possible for dentists to present patients with numerous options for exactly what their teeth and their smile could look like.  Emotional dentists can approach their work from an artistic perspective, showing patients how different reconstructive options will look on their face.  Some patients might want larger teeth, or smaller teeth, or might even want a characteristic quirk like a slight front-tooth gap.  Almost anything is possible!

Emotional dentistry seeks to give you the perfect smile for you - improving your looks, and your mindset, together.

If you've been putting off dental work, and feel like it's negatively impacting your life, please don't wait.  Contact your us at Plainsboro Dental Care, 609-799-4422 and take the first step towards becoming the you that you've always wanted to be.

The Importance of Keeping your Oral Health Habits Intact while Pregnant

When a woman gets pregnant, it causes numerous changes throughout her body - and that includes her mouth and teeth!  It might seem like pregnancy and oral health wouldn't be connected, but there are significant dental issues that pregnant women should watch out for.

How Pregnancy Can Affect Your Oral Health

1 - If possible, see a dentist beforehand

While you can generally have dental procedures done safely during a pregnancy, it's still going to be better to take care of them ahead of time.  If you're planning your pregnancy, make a visit to your dentist beforehand to ensure your mouth is in good shape before the pregnancy happens.

2 - Gum inflammation and disease

The most common oral side-effect of pregnancy is swelling in the gums, caused by the new rush of hormones.  This can be a bit painful, but it also means your gums are going to be more susceptible to cuts and bleeding.  In turn, this makes it easier for gum infections to occur.

Unfortunately, some studies have shown links between gum disease in pregnancy, and premature birth.  If your gums start getting inflamed, switch to a softer toothbrush, and be extra gentle when flossing.  If you start experiencing bleeding from your gums, visit your dentist to take care of the problem before an infection happens.

3 - Loose teeth

Another unfortunate side-effect of pregnancy is that some women's teeth may become loose.  This is particularly a risk if your gums become swollen and infected.  If you notice any teeth feeling loose, visit your dentist ASAP, or else you could potentially lose them.  

4 - Cavities

Dentists often see an uptick in cavities among pregnant women.  There are a couple different causes for this.  First, many pregnant women's eating habits change, and they may forget to brush as regularly as they need to - particularly if they have a 'midnight snack' before bed. 

Also, morning sickness is an issue, since stomach acids are very bad for the teeth.  In both cases, be sure to keep brushing regularly! 

5 - Small tumors

Finally, pregnant women may experience small tumors on their gums, called pyogenic granuloma.  These are painful and may bleed, but they aren't cancer, and will typically go away after pregnancy.  In rare cases, they may have to be surgically removed after the birth, if they don't go away on their own.

In short, pregnancy causes challenges for your oral health, so be sure to stay in close contact with your dentist throughout! Call Plainsboro Dental Care at 609-799-4422 to schedule your appointment today.

Oral Health may be Affected by Medications, Remember to Consult your Dentist

It's an unfortunate truth that numerous medications that we take in our day-to-day lives are likely to cause side-effects - and that includes side-effects that impact your oral health.  This can be a particular problem since lists of side-effects don't always mention dental issues specifically, so it's a good idea to be aware of how medications can affect your mouth.

Let's take a look at some of the most common examples, and how to deal with them.

Four Oral Side Effects Commonly Caused by Medications

1 – Dry Mouth

A huge number of medications can cause dry mouth (restricted saliva production), and that's an issue because a dry mouth can more easily pick up infections or cavity-causing bacteria.  This includes antihistamines, many common painkillers, blood pressure medication, and decongestants.

If you're getting dry mouth from these sorts of medications, you should try to keep your mouth hydrated manually.  Sip water throughout the day.  Chewing sugar-free gum is another good option to stimulate saliva production.

2 - Fungal infections

If you use steroidal inhalers for asthma, these can encourage the development of yeast-based infections in the mouth.  Fortunately, this is easy to prevent: just rinse your mouth out after you use the inhaler.  Water is usually fine, or mouthwash if you want to be extra thorough.

3 - Bleeding gums

Aspirin as well as other anti-coagulants (blood thinners) will give people a tendency to bleed more easily, and that includes the mouth as well.  It'll be easier to damage your gums, lips, or other soft tissue, and there'll be more blood if you do.

If you're on these types of blood-thinning medications, take extra care with your mouth.  Switch to a softer toothbrush, and be gentle when flossing.  Also, try to avoid foods with a tendency to create hard 'splinters,' such as potato chips, since these could damage the gums.

4 - Tooth discoloration

If you're using a powerful mouthwash based on Chlorhexidine, or the antibiotic Minocycline - which is commonly used to treat acne - there's a chance they could discolor your teeth.  This becomes more likely with prolonged use.

Unfortunately, there's no quick or easy fix here.  If your teeth are discolored, you'd need to talk to your dentist about teeth whitening options.

 Otherwise, if you're taking any kind of medication, you should be aware of what impact it might have on your oral health.  The next time you visit your dentist, be sure to tell them about any new medications you're on!  Call Plainsboro Dental Care for all your family dental needs, 609-799-4422 to schedule your appointment.

Four Ways Stress Can Affect Your Oral Health

Stress is now recognized as one of the most serious and omnipresent threats to health worldwide.  This is especially true with the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.  Research has shown that roughly 3 out of every 4 people is suffering from stress to the point that it impacts their health - and that includes oral health as well!

People are often surprised to learn just how much impact high stress can have on their oral health, but there are numerous conditions that have been directly linked to stress.

For example...

Four Oral Health Problems That Are Caused Or Made Worse By Stress

1 - Teeth grinding

Teeth-grinding - also called bruxism - is extremely common among people with high stress.  It tends to happen at night, while asleep, with people's jaws clenching and grinding their teeth together.  This is incredibly bad for the teeth, wearing down their enamel, and making them more susceptible to cavities and other problems.

Bruxism can be prevented with a mouth guard, but these are uncomfortable to wear at night.  Reducing stress is a much better way to stop it.

2 - Cold sores and canker sores

Cold sores and canker sores are technically two different conditions, but the result is roughly the same: painful, infectious sores on the inside of the mouth.  These can actually be made worse by stress, and people with cold sores (a form of herpes) are more likely to have outbreaks while stressed.

Once a cold sore or canker sore appears, it can take up to a week or two to disappear.  This will only happen more slowly if the person is stressed.

3 - TMD

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are health problems that affect the muscles and hinges where the jaw connects to the rest of the skull.  TMD disorders can cause pain whenever opening or closing the mouth, or in worst cases, even bring about lockjaw.  TMD is made much worse with stress, and can even be caused by high stress.

4 - Mouth and gum infections in general

When the body is stressed, the immune system is degraded in the process.  This means a person is at higher risk of picking up diseases, and that includes diseases of the mouth.  Stressed people are more likely to pick up gum infections and other diseases if their stress levels are too high.

If you're feeling stressed and haven't been to the dentist lately, you should have yourself checked out.  There might be dental problems you haven't noticed yet.  Contact Plainsboro Dental Care at 609-799-4422 for an appointment today.

Oral Health a Subject worth Learning for your College Student

For many people, college is their first taste of true freedom with all the rights of an adult - which can, unfortunately, lead to destructive behaviors.  What many people don't realize is that a lot of activities associated with college, or that people might experiment with while there, can actually damage their oral health.

If you're a college student, play it safe!  You could be doing a lot of long-term damage to your mouth if you aren't careful.

Three Ways Many College Students Harm Their Oral Health

1 - Excess drinking

There's no need to talk about how much drinking happens in college.  A lot of drinking happens.  Unfortunately, this can be extremely bad for the teeth in two ways.

First, alcohol reduces the amount of saliva a person's mouth produces, leading to drymouth.  This makes it easier for bacteria to breed and grow on the teeth, leading to additional cavities and infections.  In addition, many drinks in college tend towards the sugary, and drunk people rarely brush their teeth before passing out, creating perfect conditions for teeth-rotting bacteria to spread.

2 - Tobacco use

Fortunately, tobacco use among young people is in decline, but it's still a problem.  Tobacco causes almost uncountable health issues, and that includes damage to the mouth.  Smoking discolors the teeth, and can increase chances of both oral infections and oral cancer.

Chewing tobacco or snuff is even worse.  Placing tobacco products directly on the soft tissue of the mouth is an open invitation for cancer, as well as also making oral infections much more likely.

Simply put, don't use tobacco.  Seriously.

3 - Stress

College is stressful for many people, especially for students who have to balance classes while also maintaining a job (or jobs) on the side.  This puts a lot of strain on the body, as well as lost sleep.

Unfortunately, stress can create numerous oral health issues.  For example:

• Stress lowers the body's immune system response, making it easier for infections to take hold.

• Stress can lead to teeth-grinding, which can do significant damage to the teeth.

• Stress can also cause or exacerbate "TMJ" and other disorders of the jaw hinge, leading to pain when chewing or talking.

These are all issues that can become lifelong oral health problems, if you aren't careful.  If you're in college, we strongly encourage you to monitor your behavior - and be sure to visit your dentist regularly for checkups!

What You Need To Know About Dental Implants

If you have one or more teeth that are missing or badly damaged beyond repair, you still have options for restoring your smile!  One of the most popular choices is the dental implant, a surgical procedure which can permanently replace a lost tooth.

In this article, we'll briefly look at what implants are, and how the implantation process works.

Basically, a dental implant is a metal post with a screw-like base, which is surgically implanted directly into a patient's jaw.  This entirely replaces the natural tooth.  Then, a false tooth crown is attached to the post with a connector called an abutment, completing the procedure.

There are several major advantages to implants:

• Implants are long lasting, with only around a 2% failure rate. (Which is much lower than alternatives.)

• Implants preserve your jaw, as well as preventing neighboring teeth from shifting in their sockets.

• Implanted teeth are indistinguishable from real teeth.

• Implants can be cared for exactly like regular teeth, and there are no lifestyle changes required, unlike dentures or bridges.

However, not everyone is suitable for implants.  In particular, the patient's jawbone must be strong enough to withstand the surgery and hold the implant in place.  Sometimes it's possible to graft more bone onto the jaw to strengthen it, in a separate procedure, but not always.

The primary downsides to dental implants are time, cost, and - unfortunately - pain.  Receiving dental implants is an invasive surgical procedure, with a recovery time attached.  While your dentist will do everything possible to keep you comfortable, there will be discomfort while your jaw and gums heal.

Also, the process takes awhile.  It will require a minimum of two sessions, and possibly three or more - especially if your jaw is receiving a bone graft.  This, in turn, means that implants are substantially more expensive than alternatives such as crowns or bridges.

For many people, though, these are relatively minor issues.  Once the implant is in place, you'll have a fully permanent false tooth that could potentially last for the rest of your life.  The long-term benefits can easily outweigh short-term costs.

Only a trained dentist working with X-rays of your mouth can tell you if you are a good candidate for dental implants!  If you have a missing or heavily damaged tooth, you should make an appointment with your local dentist to discuss your options.

When Is A Dental Crown the Best Option?

One of the most common methods of repairing a broken tooth is the dental crown.  These are partial false teeth, made of a variety of materials including metal, resin, or porcelain, which are glued onto the root of an existing tooth.  When properly crafted, they can be virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth.  Also, crowns require no special care, and can be cleaned with regular brushing and flossing.

In addition, crowns are relatively inexpensive, and are fast to install.  This makes them an easy go-to fix for a number of dental problems.

When are dental crowns used?  Here are a few of the scenarios where a dentist is likely to recommend a crown.

1 - Preventing further damage to a tooth

If a tooth has been badly cracked, or lost much of its outer layer, but the root is intact, a crown can be used to 'rescue' the tooth without the need for surgery.  By cutting away all the damaged material, and then covering it with a false cap, the root can be protected from additional decay or other damage.  This is almost always preferable to a root canal, or removing the tooth.

2 - Following a root canal

Crowns are almost always used after a root canal.  In a root canal procedure, the fleshy pulp at the center of a tooth is removed, along with the nerve, while leaving the exterior of the tooth in place.  A crown is then needed to seal up the hole created by the root canal, and restore the tooth to proper working order.

3 - Covering up badly damaged teeth

Crowns can also be used as a cosmetic option, because they can be used to entirely reshape or restore a tooth that is badly damaged.  The crown is hand-crafted by the dentist, so a good crown can improve the look of a patient's smile at a relatively low cost.

4 - Finishing a dental implant

If someone receives a dental implant to replace a missing tooth, they need a false tooth to go in its place.  Crowns are usually used here, attached to the implant to fully replace the missing tooth.

Remember: only a trained dentist can decide whether crowns are a good option for your dental problems.  If you have cracked, damaged, or decaying teeth, don't wait for the problem to get worse.  Contact your local dentist to discuss repair options!