Top 10 Reasons Why a Patient Should Choose Roselle Park Dental

We asked our patients and our staff for the top 10 reasons why a patient should choose Roselle Park Dental. Here's what you've said:

1. Quality, comprehensive care
2. Limited need for referrals (in-house specialists)
3. Latest technology (same day crowns, CT scan machine)
4. Friendly staff :-)
5. Comfort amenities (coffee and tea in the waiting area and comfort items available while in the dental chair)
6. Convenient hours (open 8am-8pm)
7. Flexible payment options (no interest monthly payments and extended monthly payments)
8. No judgmental feeling from staff members
9. Compassionate
10. Dedication to excellence

Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to delivering on our top 10 reasons for you and your family each time you visit us!

What is The Best Way To Whiten My Teeth?

With wedding season here already this question seems to be the hottest dental topic today.  There are so many different options and products out there to whiten your teeth it may be a bit confusing as to what's  best, even for the trained dental professional.

Every bleaching product, whether it's over the counter or from a dental professional, contain either carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide.  Carbamide peroxide products need to be placed on the teeth at about 1 hour intervals, while hydrogen peroxide products should only be applied to the teeth for under an hour. Therefore, results from hydrogen peroxide products may take longer to see.

What separates one bleaching product from the next is the percentages of carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide in the bleach, the application method, and the time it takes to see results. The strength of bleaching percentages vary from 10%-36%. In my opinion, products above 15% should only be used under a dental professional's supervision.

The application methods range as well. There is, what I call the scotch tape method, where a small piece of plastic containing a small amount of bleach is applied to the teeth. One can also use a customized bleaching tray, where the bleaching is placed into the tray and then the tray is worn for a specific amount of time. There is also a very controlled bleaching experience, where the bleach is applied in a careful manner so that it does not touch any part of the mouth other than teeth and a customized bleaching tray is used as well.

All products take at least one week to see adequate results, although some may take longer.

In summary, here are your whitening options:
1. Over-the-counter products contain about 10-24% peroxide
Pros-  Relatively inexpensive
Cons- Poor application method. The scotch tape method is not as effective and people run the risk of unnecessarily ingesting bleach or having sensitivity. Furthermore, you can only use how ever many strips are in the package.

OTC products are for people with yellowish or coffee stains who value saving a buck over the possibility of exposing themselves to too much caustic bleaching peroxide.

2.  The quick fix/One Hour Bleaching contains 36% peroxide
Pros- Whiter teeth potentially in an hour.
Cons- Relatively more expensive. A person's teeth will most likely relapse, risk of increased sensitivity, there needs to be adequate isolation of gums and lips so that bleach does not touch those areas (don't even think about doing this in the mall).

3. Custom bleaching trays (made by your dentist) contain up to 20% peroxide
Pros- Very effective for day-to-day staining. The custom trays can be used for fluoride, to help with sensitivity, and are cost effective because the trays can be reused.
Cons- Not as effective on grayish/blueish staining, and it could take up to 2 weeks to see results.

4. Bleaching tray and 1 hour bleaching combo aka Deep Bleaching
Pros- BEST bleaching on market! You can use the trays forever. My office offers bleaching for life program, which allows you to get free touch ups for life. The bleach works on tetracycline staining. Results will show in about 2 weeks.
Cons- Relatively more expensive. People need to follow a regimen to get the best results.

This is my professional opinion after exploring many bleaching methods in my practice.  Good luck in your quest for a whiter smile.

All About Baby's Teeth

Do you know the age in which your child should first visit the dentist? Most people think they have to wait until most of their child's teeth are erupted, or when they actually start getting their adult teeth. However, Dr. Geoffrey Gonzales, our pediatric dentist, recommends seeing his patients as early as the age of one. And, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry agrees. According to an article on CNN "...The eruption of that first tooth, between the ages of 3 and 9 months, should be a signal to parents to schedule a child's first dental appointment -- and one should be scheduled no later than age 1." 

The reason why pediatric dentists, like Dr. Gonzales, recommend seeing children early on is to educate parents, evaluate the teeth that are under the gums, establish a good daily hygiene routine and help the child feel comfortable at the dentist.

Tooth decay can happen when a child drinks a bottle of milk or juice and does not rinse out his/her mouth or brush his/her teeth. Don't be fooled that baby teeth don't need to be taken care of because they eventually fall out. Some of the baby teeth may still in place when children enter middle school, so it is just as important to take care of those teeth as it is to take care of adult teeth. If any tooth, baby or adult, is left untreated with tooth decay, infection, pain, or abscesses may happen. 

Be sure to schedule an appointment for your children by the age of one, and keep their regular hygiene appointments every six months. For more information about pediatric dentistry, please visit our Website or call us at (908) 634-4018.