• What Are the Advantages of Invisalign?

    After Invisalign was first approved by the FDA in 1998, it quickly became a household name. These wildly popular clear aligners are an effective, convenient, and comfortable way to straighten crooked teeth. One of the main advantages of Invisalign is their discreet nature. The aligners are virtually invisible, which makes them ideal for self-conscious teens. It’s also why orthodontists often recommend this treatment for adults.

    Another major benefit of Invisalign is that the aligners are comfortable. There are no hard metal brackets or wires that can become loose and poke the gums. You can safely play sports while wearing your aligners, without worrying about the soft tissue injuries that might be caused by metal braces. And since you’ll remove the aligners before each meal and snack, you won’t have any dietary restrictions during your treatment.

    Glenwood Premier Dental is proud to be a leading Invisalign provider in Hazlet. To find out whether Invisalign could be right for you, call our office at (732) 264-4477.

  • How to Reduce Your Risk of Oral Cancer

    Not only is oral cancer deadly, but it’s also one of the most potentially disfiguring types of cancer. Treating it may require surgery to remove part of the jaw, and permanent disfigurement of the face is often the result. Oral cancer and its treatments are painful and emotionally distressing. Fortunately, it’s also largely preventable. Talk to your dentist about reducing your risk of oral cancer. You should also get screened, since treating oral cancer in its early stages may offer the most favorable prognosis.

Quit using tobacco.

Cigarettes, cigars, and chewing tobacco directly cause throat and mouth cancers. There’s no good reason to use tobacco, and plenty of reasons to quit. The longer you continue to smoke, the higher your risk is of developing potentially deadly oral cancer. Nicotine addictions are difficult to overcome, but you can do it with help from your doctor and the support of your loved ones.

Limit your alcohol consumption.

Consuming alcohol to excess can increase your risk of oral cancer. If you smoke and drink alcohol, your risk skyrockets. According to The Oral Cancer Foundation, people who smoke and consume alcohol have a risk of this disease that’s 15 times greater compared to non-smokers who don’t drink. Among non-smokers, an acceptable level of alcohol consumption is generally considered to be no more than two drinks daily for men and no more than one drink daily for women.

Consider getting an HPV vaccine.

Another risk factor of oral cancer is carrying the human papillomavirus (HPV). Some strains of HPV can also increase the risk of cervical cancer in women. Doctors recommend that children and adolescents get the HPV vaccine, before they’ve had a chance to be exposed to the virus. However, even if you’re an adult, your doctor might still recommend the HPV vaccine. Talk to your doctor about whether the shot might be right for you.

An oral cancer screening is part of your comprehensive dental exam at Glenwood Premier Dental. If you notice unusual symptoms between regular visits, you can schedule an additional oral cancer screening in our Hazlet office. Call (732) 264-4477.

  • Periodontal Care 101

    Dentists, periodontists, and dental hygienists can all perform periodontal care. Periodontal care typically refers to preventing, diagnosing, and treating periodontal disease. Also called gum disease, this condition usually occurs because of poor oral hygiene. Smoking is also a major contributor.

    • Recognizing Periodontal Disease

    Gum disease is an infection. The bacteria in your mouth can form plaque, which is a sticky film that adheres to the teeth. The plaque can turn into hardened tartar, which irritates the gums and lead to the infection of the tissue. Periodontal disease grows progressively worse the longer it’s left untreated. During the initial stage, you might notice symptoms like:

    • Puffy, red gums
    • Tenderness of the gums
    • Bleeding while brushing or flossing
    • Bad breath

    As periodontal disease becomes more severe, the symptoms can include:

    • Gums pulling away from the teeth
    • Persistent bad taste in the mouth
    • New spacing between teeth
    • Loose teeth
    • Pus

    It’s possible to eventually lose teeth because of gum disease.

    Diagnosing Periodontal Disease

    If you have a dental exam every six months, your dentist can detect periodontal disease before it progresses too far. Don’t hesitate to schedule an extra appointment if you notice any unusual changes with your mouth. During your appointment, the dentist or hygienist can use a special tool to measure the pockets between the gums and the teeth. Large pockets are indicative of gum disease. The dentist will also visually examine your gums for signs of gum disease.

    Treating Periodontal Disease

    If you do have gum disease, the treatment depends on how advanced it is. For patients in the early stage of gum disease, scaling and root planing can be effective. This is a deep cleaning technique. You’ll also need to improve your oral care at home, and if you’re a smoker, you should quit. If your gum disease is too advanced to be treated by scaling and root planing, your dentist may recommend pocket reduction and gum graft surgery.

    Periodontal care is one of our specialties here at Glenwood Premier Dental. Our friendly dentists and hygienists can expertly diagnose gum disease and recommend an appropriate course of treatment for you. Call (732) 264-4477 to request an appointment for gum disease treatment in Hazlet.

  • Are Your Medications Affecting Your Oral Health

    Each time you visit the dentist, you should bring a current list of your medications, including over-the-counter drugs. Your dentist needs your updated medical history because certain medical conditions and medications can affect your oral health. To hear about one possible effect, watch the accompanying video.

    It explains that some drugs, such as antihistamines, may have side effects like dry mouth, or xerostomia. Your mouth relies on saliva to wash away food particles and bacteria. Because of this, dry mouth can increase the risk of cavities and gum disease. Your dentist can suggest treatment options for dry mouth, including saliva replacement products and lifestyle adjustments.

    You can schedule your next dental exam in Hazlet by calling (732) 264-4477. Glenwood Premier Dental always welcomes questions about oral health from new and current patients.