• How to Find a Good Dentist

    If you recently moved to Hazlet, New Jersey, or your insurance coverage has changed, you may be on the lookout for a new dental provider. It’s vital to work with a dentist who can meet your needs in every way. Here are the top tips for finding a good dentist in Hazlet.

    • Choose a dental provider you can trust. Otherwise, you could be diagnosed with conditions you don’t really have and end up paying for treatment you don’t really need! It can be hard to tell if your dentist is giving you accurate information. If you receive a diagnosis that doesn’t seem right, ask for clarification and proof. Consider getting a second opinion before you undergo major treatment.
    • Look for a membership with the American Dental Association. This helps with the credibility factor. Members of the ADA must promise to involve the patient in the decision-making process, provide the highest level of care, and be as truthful and honest as possible with every patient.
    • Demand digital x-rays. This technology is more advanced than older x-ray techniques. It protects you from radiation exposure, and the images are available immediately. Make sure your dentist offers this among other cutting-edge office technology.
    • Ask friends and family for recommendations. Other people’s experiences can tell you a lot about one dental provider or another. If you don’t know anyone in your new area yet, online reviews are the next best thing.
    • Consider location and hours. You want dentist visits to be convenient, so consider finding a practice that’s close to home, work, or your children’s school. Make sure the office hours work for your schedule as well.
    • Notice how you’re treated. Your first interaction with a new dentist tells you a lot about them. Are they patient and respectful of your questions? Do they provide you with a thorough examination and x-rays to establish your health record? If your appointment feels rushed or incomplete, consider going elsewhere.
    • Ask for a translator. If English isn’t your native language, it can be incredibly helpful to have someone translate. The medical jargon used in the dental field can be confusing and technical, so having a translator available ensures you don’t miss anything.

    Glenwood Premier Dental in Hazlet, NJ can meet all your dentistry needs. From routine cleanings and emergency care to restorative treatments and Invisalign, we have you covered! We strive to provide the ultimate patient experience, with dentists who are ADA members and bi-lingual in English and Spanish. Our office is outfitted with the latest in dental technology, and you’ll always feel informed about your health and treatment costs before a procedure begins. We offer new patient specials and free second opinions to make your transition to our office as streamlined as possible.

    Give us a call at (732) 264-4477 today to ask questions and schedule your first appointment. We look forward to meeting you!

  • Dental Hygiene Tips

    How do you prevent the billions of bacteria in your mouth from causing cavities and gingivitis? Keep your mouth healthy with a few simple dental hygiene tips.

    Brushing

    Brushing your teeth is the foundation of good oral health. Keep these best practices in mind:

    • Brush twice a day—once in the morning and again before bed—using fluoride toothpaste and a small-headed, soft-bristled toothbrush.
    • Brush for two minutes. Spend 30 seconds in each quadrant of your mouth.
    • Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle along the gum line. Use short, gentle, back-and-forth motions to scrub your teeth without irritating your gums.
    • Brush every side of each tooth, including the front, back, and biting surface.
    • Clean your tongue to get rid of bacteria that can cause bad breath.
    • Rinse your toothbrush thoroughly after each use. Store your toothbrush upright without a cover to encourage a quick dry time.
    • Wait at least 30 minutes after eating to brush your teeth.
    • Replace your toothbrush every three months.

    Flossing

    Even the most thorough brushing leaves bacteria in the tight spaces between each tooth and under the gum line. That’s why it’s necessary to floss once a day. Follow these tips for the best results:

    • Use a generous, 18-inch piece of floss to prevent it from slipping out of your grip.
    • Readjust the position of the floss on your fingers as you go to use fresh floss between each tooth.
    • Avoid snapping the floss against your gums. Use an up-and-down motion rather than a sawing motion to avoid hurting the soft tissue.
    • Get between every tooth and behind your rear molars.
    • If you find it difficult to floss, try a non-traditional option, such as a floss pick, interdental brush, or water flosser.

    Mouthwash

    Consider that your teeth make up less than half of the surfaces in your mouth. Rinsing cleans your mouth by removing biofilm and bacteria that brushing and flossing leave behind. Just remember these tips:

    • Mouth rinse isn’t a substitute for brushing and flossing. However, it can supplement your other dental hygiene efforts to reduce the chance of cavities and infections.
    • Select a mouth rinse with antimicrobial properties to reduce bacteria and plaque activity.
    • Look for fluoride on the ingredient label to protect your teeth from decay.
    • Consider a whitening peroxide rinse to fight tooth discoloration and staining.

    Bonus Dental Hygiene Tips

    In addition to your formal dental hygiene routine, incorporate these tips into your everyday life:

    • Drink more water and less sweetened drinks, including juice and soda.
    • Avoid sweet and acidic foods that erode tooth enamel.
    • Chew sugarless gum after meals to stimulate saliva flow, wash away food particles, and neutralize the pH in your mouth.

    For more dental hygiene tips, or to ask questions about your oral health, please contact Glenwood Premier Dental at (732) 264-4477. Our dentist in Hazlet can answer your questions and provide expert dental care.

  • 3 Reasons Good Dental Hygiene Is So Important

    You hear it all the time: good dental hygiene is crucial. What you might not know, though, is why it’s so important. Here, we offer three compelling reasons to take good care of your teeth.

    • Good dental hygiene helps keep your teeth healthy. This one may seem obvious, but it’s an important fact. Whether or not you get cavities is partially dependent on your genetics, but when you brush, floss, and rinse daily, you’re doing your part to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Brush your teeth twice a day and floss and rinse at least once, to remove plaque, prevent tooth decay, and stimulate your gums.
    • Regular dental visits can provide disease detection. When you go every six months, your dentist can discover issues that affect more than just your mouth. With a thorough examination, many problems and diseases can be detected, including vitamin deficiencies, acid reflux, tooth grinding, diabetes, osteoporosis, heart trouble, dementia, oral cancers, and even mental health issues.
    • When you care for your mouth, you prevent disease in your whole body. When your mouth is infected, that infection can spread and lead to bigger health concerns than cavities. For instance, gingivitis, a common inflammation of the gums, can turn into periodontitis, which can cause tooth loss. Infections that spread from your mouth have been linked to issues like asthma, arthritis, premature birth and low-birthweight babies, respiratory ailments, coronary artery disease, and stroke. Left untreated, tooth and gum disease can even be fatal.

    So what do you need to do to reap all of the benefits of good dental hygiene? Start by eating a nutrient-dense diet and avoiding snacks full of sugar and processed carbohydrates. Don’t smoke or use any other tobacco products. Rinse your mouth out after each meal, or chew sugarless gum. Brush your teeth for two minutes, twice a day, using a medium-bristled brush, fluoride toothpaste, and small, circular, back and forth motions. Floss at least once a day, and rinse with an anti-microbial fluoride mouthwash. Finally but perhaps most important of all, see your dentist every six months for a cleaning and exam.

    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.

  • Four Simple Daily Steps Can Lead to Better Overall Health

    Are you paying enough attention to your oral health? It might surprise you to learn that caring for your mouth can lead to better health for your entire body. It’s easier than you think, too! The American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) has come up with a slogan to help you remember four simple steps you can take every day to improve the health of your mouth and by extension, your whole body: “Brush, Rinse, Floss, Chew.”

    • Brush: Twice a day, brush your teeth with a medium bristle toothbrush, brushing for two minutes, using small, circular, back and forth motions. Use a toothpaste with fluoride, and look for one with the American Dental Association (ADA) stamp of approval. Don’t forget to brush your tongue!
    • Rinse: After brushing, rinse your mouth with anti-microbial mouthwash. Look for mouthwash that contains fluoride and has the ADA seal of acceptance, and swish it around your mouth for 30 seconds so that it has a chance to come into contact with all of your teeth. Finish up with a gargle to rinse the back of your tongue, then spit the mouthwash into the sink.
    • Floss: At least once a day, floss. After working the floss between the teeth with a gentle zig-zag motion, wrap it gently around the side of each tooth and slide it up and down, against the tooth surface and under the gum line. This will remove leftover food particles and plaque, and help prevent gingivitis (gum disease), which has been linked to health conditions like heart disease and diabetes. Be thorough but gentle, and if you have trouble handling traditional floss, talk to your dentist about the other options for flossing your teeth.
    • Chew: Did you know that chewing sugar-free gum is actually good for the health of your mouth? It stimulates the production of saliva, which is the body’s natural defense against tooth decay. Research indicates that the biggest benefit to your oral health comes from chewing sugar-free gum after eating or drinking.

    Of course, one of the best things you can do for your oral health is to schedule regular checkups with your dentist. 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.

  • Selecting the Right Electric Toothbrush

    You know that brushing your teeth for two minutes twice a day with fluoride toothpaste helps protect your oral health, but do you know which toothbrush is the most effective? According to a recent study, electric toothbrushes do a much better job of cleaning your teeth and gums than manual toothbrushes. If you’re not using an electric toothbrush, you might want to consider making the switch.

    The study took 11 years to complete, and it’s the longest study into the effectiveness of electric versus manual brushing ever undertaken. It reinforces what smaller studies have been saying all along. Electric toothbrushes are very effective at removing plaque, especially if the toothbrushes have oscillating heads that rotate in both directions. Over the 11-year period of research, using electric toothbrushes resulted in 22 percent less gum recession and 18 percent less tooth decay.

    Now that we’ve sold you on electric toothbrushes, how do you choose the right one? There are many different toothbrushes on the market, and in some ways, your choice will be subjective: the one you like is the one you’ll be most likely to use, so that’s the best one for you. However, we do have a few guidelines to bear in mind.

    • Your toothbrush should be easy to operate. It should run smoothly and consistently, and not require extensive instructions.
    • The head of the toothbrush should be a good fit for your mouth. It needs to fit comfortably into your mouth and be easy to maneuver around your teeth. It also needs a long enough handle for you to reach the very back of your mouth while you hold it comfortably in your hand.
    • Bristles matter. Bristles that are too hard can wear down your tooth enamel, so go for soft or medium bristles, depending on how vigorously you brush. Look for bristles with rounded tips for further tooth protection.
    • A timer is important. Whether you use a manual or electric toothbrush, you should be brushing for two minutes. A toothbrush that times you for two minutes, in 30-second intervals, makes this easier.
    • Weigh the cost of a rechargeable against the cost of batteries. Rechargeable models are typically more expensive, but they also garner better reviews. Battery-operated toothbrushes are less expensive initially but may require replacement batteries every couple of weeks.

    For dental care in Hazlet, New Jersey, you can trust Glenwood Premier Dental. 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.

     

  • 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.

     

  • 10 Common Oral Hygiene Mistakes, According to Dentists

    Do you know how to take care of your teeth? If you’re like most people, you probably believe that you have it all under control. If you’re guilty of any of the common mistakes on this list, though, you may need to rethink your oral hygiene routine.

    • Mistake #1: Brushing only once a day. Often, people only brush in the morning, when they want to face the day with fresh breath. Night brushing is important, though, to remove the debris of the day from your teeth and prevent the growth of tooth-decaying bacteria.
    • Mistake #2: Brushing too hard. Harder isn’t better: experts recommend gentle brushing with a soft-headed toothbrush. If you brush too hard, you can damage your gums and wear down your enamel.
    • Mistake #3: Brushing too briefly. Brush your teeth for at least two minutes to thoroughly remove tartar and biofilms that can lead to plaque, cavities, and bad breath. Having trouble remembering to brush so long? Buy a toothbrush with a built-in timer, or set a timer on your phone.
    • Mistake #4: Skipping the floss. Some people think mouthwash is an adequate substitute for flossing, but it’s not. Mouthwash is a great addition to your oral health routine and does a good job of disinfecting the oral cavity, but floss is needed to rid the mouth of oral debris.
    • Mistake #5: Using only floss picks. Floss picks are convenient, but they’re not as effective as string floss or water flossers at removing bacteria from the mouth.
    • Mistake #6: Avoiding floss for fear of blood. If your gums bleed when you floss, it means you need to floss more, not less. If you floss more, your gums will bleed less and you’ll see improvement in your oral health.
    • Mistake #7: Consuming sugary drinks. Skip the sodas and energy drinks. If you need a boost of caffeine, opt for green or black tea to avoid the sugar that feeds bacteria.
    • Mistake #8: Buying cheap toothpaste. Make sure you’re buying toothpaste with the American Dental Academy (ADA) seal of approval.
    • Mistake #9: Using unapproved whiteners. Whiteners that aren’t approved by the ADA can cause issues like sensitivity and damage, or they might not work at all.
    • Mistake #10: Avoiding the dentist. Seeing the dentist every six months can help you catch small problems before they become major issues.

    If you’re looking for a reliable dentist, look to Glenwood Premier Dental, where we believe that a healthy, confident smile is an important part of a happy and healthy lifestyle. Our staff of caring professionals offers a wide range of dental services, working to exceed our patients’ expectations, and provide 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.