• 7 Oral Hygiene Hacks for A Healthier Smile

    When we think about oral hygiene, our minds go to brushing, flossing, rinsing, and seeing a dentist. These are indisputably important, but often, we don’t think about smaller steps that can make a big difference. Did you know that your mouth has one of the most diverse microbiomes in the entire body? It’s home to not just bacteria but also fungi, protozoa, archaea, and viruses. Fortunately, there are some simple “hacks” you can incorporate that will boost your oral healthcare, supplementing your brushing and flossing.

    1. Scrape your tongue. Have you heard of a tongue scraper? It’s a simple tool designed to clean the surface of your tongue, removing bacteria that can cause bad breath.
    2. Be cognizant of bruxism. Bruxism, or teeth grinding, can happen at night or during the day, but whenever it happens, it wears down your teeth. If you know you grind your teeth during the day, try some mind-body exercises to help you stop. If you suspect bruxism at night, consider getting a mouth guard to protect them.
    3. Increase your intake of foods that decrease the bacteria in your mouth. You know that sugar is not good for your teeth, but are you eating enough healthy food that will protect them? Nuts, legumes, fruits, and vegetables will help keep your teeth healthy and apple cider vinegar can remove harmful bacteria from your mouth.
    4. Rinse the right way. Using mouthwash at least once a day helps your mouth in three ways: it reaches places in the mouth that brushing and flossing can’t, reduces the level of acid in the mouth, and re-mineralizes the teeth. To properly rinse, swish it around your mouth for 30 seconds and then gargle to reach the back of your tongue.
    5. Use baking soda for brushing. Incorporate baking soda into your brushing routine once or twice a week, to remove stains and whiten teeth.
    6. Divide your flossing. Splitting your flossing between different parts of the day can help you get it done if you have trouble making time for this important step.
    7. Drink more water. Staying hydrated is important for every system in your body. When you rinse your mouth with water, you remove food particles that lead to tooth decay.

    If you’re looking for a dentist in Hazlet, New Jersey, you can trust Glenwood Premier Dental to meet your needs. At Glenwood Premier Dental, we believe that a healthy, confident smile is an important part of a happy and healthy lifestyle. Our staff of caring professionals is committed to offering a wide range of dental services, exceeding our patients’ expectations, and providing the best possible service. We offer dental exams and teeth cleanings, implant dentistry, Invisalign, laser dentistry, teeth whitening, veneers, and more, using state of the art technology in a comfortable and friendly environment. If you’re looking for dental care in Hazlet, contact us through our website or call 732.264.4477 for more information.

     

     

  • Understanding Cavities

    You know, of course, that you should take good care of your teeth so that you won’t get cavities, but what do you actually know about cavities? They don’t always have symptoms, so are they really that big of a deal? The truth is, cavities should be taken seriously, because they are permanently damaged areas of your teeth. Understanding cavities can help you avoid them, for a healthier mouth and body.

    • What, exactly, are cavities? Cavities are areas of your teeth that have been permanently damaged by decay.
    • What causes cavities? A variety of things contribute to cavities, but ultimately, they’re caused by germs. The germs that cause cavities are infectious and can be spread by sharing food, utensils, or by kissing. Sugar plays a big role in the formation of cavities; sugary food feeds the bacteria in your mouth, forming acids that eat away at your teeth. Germs then get into the holes worn into your teeth, causing cavities. The sugars that impact your teeth don’t just come from candy and soda, but also from high-carb foods and sticky foods. If you’re going to snack, it’s best to choose fruits, vegetables, cheese, and nuts, and drink water.
    • Do adults get cavities? You may associate cavities with childhood, but in fact, there are no age restrictions on tooth decay. In fact, cavities can happen as early as the first tooth, and you can get them throughout your life.
    • Do cavities hurt? In the beginning stages of a cavity, people often have no symptoms. If it goes untreated, though, it can cause pain and tooth sensitivity.
    • Is it really necessary to fix a cavity that doesn’t hurt? Absolutely! If cavities are not treated, they can affect deeper layers of your teeth, causing severe pain, infection, and tooth loss. It’s far better to treat a cavity early than to require a root canal later.
    • What can you do to prevent cavities? Eat a healthy diet, steering clear of sugary foods and beverages, and loading up on fruits and vegetables. Brush your teeth at least twice a day, flossing at least once a day, and finishing off with an antibacterial rinse. It’s also extremely important to see your dentist every six months, for a checkup and a cleaning.

    At Glenwood Premier Dental, we believe that a healthy, confident smile is an important part of a happy and healthy lifestyle. Our staff of caring professionals is committed to offering a wide range of dental services, exceeding our patients’ expectations, and providing the best possible service. We offer dental exams and teeth cleanings, implant dentistry, Invisalign, laser dentistry, teeth whitening, veneers, and more, using state of the art technology in a comfortable and friendly environment. If you’re looking for dental care in Hazlet, contact us through our website or call 732.264.4477 for more information.

  • Fruits and Vegetables Can Help Prevent Oral Cancer

    You hear it all the time: you need to fill your diet with fruits and vegetables. Every system of your body benefits from the nutrients found in produce, from your heart to your digestive system to your skin. But do you know how important eating well is for your oral health? There’s even evidence to indicate that fruits and vegetables can help prevent oral cancer.

    Oral cancer is a very serious disease, and about 8,000 Americans die of oral cancers each year. For over five decades, research has been conducted on the relationship between fruit and vegetable consumption and the risk of oral cancer, in more than 40 epidemiologic studies. This research has produced strong evidence that a diet full of vegetables and fruits, especially citrus fruit, can help protect against oral cancer.

    This protection is due to a wide range of nutrients found in produce. In addition to vitamins like C and E, fruits and vegetables contain phytonutrients that can help prevent cancers. Berries, for example, are high in ellagic acid, and cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts have isothiocyanates and glucosinolates. Anti-oxidants like beta-carotene, found in carrots, leafy greens, sweet potatoes, and peppers, also have powerful cancer-fighting properties.

    To gain the full benefit of these nutrients, incorporate a minimum of five servings of fruits and vegetables into your diet each day. Other measures you can take to help prevent oral cancer include eating vitamin D-rich foods like eggs, foods with omega-3 fatty acids, like salmon, and foods that contain probiotics, like yogurt and certain cheeses.  Don’t use tobacco, limit your alcohol consumption, and see your dentist regularly. Your dentist will be able to help you keep your mouth healthy, and can also identify early signs of oral cancer so that it can be treated effectively.

    If you’re looking for dentist in Hazlet, New Jersey, you can trust Glenwood Premier Dental to meet your needs. At Glenwood Premier Dental, we believe that a healthy, confident smile is an important part of a happy and healthy lifestyle. Our staff of caring professionals is committed to offering a wide range of dental services, exceeding our patients’ expectations, and providing the best possible service. We offer dental exams and teeth cleanings, implant dentistry, Invisalign, laser dentistry, teeth whitening, veneers, and more, using state of the art technology in a comfortable and friendly environment. If you’re looking for dental care in Hazlet, contact us through our website or call 732.264.4477 for more information.

  • Choosing a Dentist for Your Children

    Experts recommend that children have their first dental visits almost as soon as they have their first teeth. For parents, though, choosing the right dentist for our children can be a nerve-racking experience. What’s the best way to go about choosing a dentist for your children?

    It’s easy to understand why your child needs a dentist. It’s recommended that children see a dentist as early as possible, typically around one year of age. Current research indicates that babies can have cavity-causing bacteria in their mouths before their teeth even erupt from the gums, so taking care of their mouths should be a high priority even before they have teeth. The dentist will examine your child’s mouth, but will also give you valuable information about how best to care for his or her oral health. Additionally, when you take children to the dentist regularly, they’re less likely to be anxious and will become more comfortable dental patients. But which dentist do you choose?

    Some parents prefer a pediatric dentist. Pediatric dentists get up to three years of specialty training under their belt after they finish dental school, and they work exclusively with children. They know how to manage the behavior of children, even very young kids, and they can manage unique situations like trauma or serious tooth decay. They also tend to create an atmosphere that’s fun for kids, with TVs, games, and a staff trained to effectively calm and communicate with young children.

    On the other hand, you might want to bring your child to your family dentist. Many parents feel more comfortable bringing their children to the same dentist that they see, because they’re more familiar with the dentist, the staff, and the office policies. Family dentists know how to provide care to people of all ages, and they make accommodations to keep kids comfortable during their visits.

    Regardless of which kind of dentist your children are seeing, make sure you’re doing everything you can at home to promote healthy mouths. Before teeth erupt, wipe the gums clean with a cotton ball, and once the teeth come through you can wipe them with a damp washcloth or baby-sized toothbrush. Use fluoride toothpaste, but use it sparingly for young kids, because they may not be able to spit very well yet. Teach your kids to brush and floss regularly, and minimize sugar in their diets.

    If your child needs a dentist, trust Glenwood Premier Dental. We believe that a healthy, confident smile is an important part of a happy and healthy lifestyle, and our staff is committed to offering a wide range of dental services, exceeding our patients’ expectations, and providing the best possible service. We offer dental exams and teeth cleanings, implant dentistry, Invisalign, laser dentistry, teeth whitening, veneers, and more, using state of the art technology in a comfortable and friendly environment. If you’re looking for dental care in Hazlet, contact us through our website or call 732.264.4477.